11 additional airports to get full-body scanners

[dburg30]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/03/05/body.scanners.airports/index.html?hpt=T2

Woohoo.. Means maybe this October when I fly out they'll get to check out my sexiness via 'naked' pics

The federal government is starting to deploy full-body imaging machines at an additional 11 airports across the United States, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Friday.

Forty body-imaging machines already have been put into use at 19 airports nationwide as part of a field test, according the Department of Homeland Security. The Transportation Security Administration expects to deploy 450 units by the end of this year.

"By accelerating the deployment of this technology, we are enhancing our capability to detect and disrupt threats of terrorism across the nation," Napolitano said in a statement.

The first of the new units are being installed Friday at Boston's Logan International Airport, according to a DHS statement.

The list of other airports set to receive the scanners by the end of summer includes Chicago O'Hare International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Mineta San José International, Los Angeles International, Port Columbus International, Oakland International, San Diego International, Kansas City International and Charlotte Douglas International.

The imaging machines are being funded through the Obama administration's $862 billion economic stimulus plan.

Under existing protocols, full-body scans are optional at airport checkpoints. Travelers who decline the scans are funneled to a location where they may be given a pat down and subjected to other tests such as swabs that can detect minute traces of explosives on hands or luggage.

The TSA said most passengers prefer a body scan to a pat down. But others have objected to the body scans, calling them electronic strip searches.

Passenger privacy is maintained during the scannning process by blurring all images, deleting images after they are viewed and placing the screener viewing the images in a remote location, according to DHS officials.

Acting TSA Administrator Gale Rossides testified before Congress on Thursday that the machines will not significantly slow the passenger screening process, saying it will be done at the same time as carry-on baggage screening.

The TSA has spent years testing full-body imagers. Plans to deploy them this year were given added urgency after the arrest of a Nigerian man, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, who has been accused of attempting to detonate an explosive sewn into his underwear on a December 25 flight.

 

[SDSorority]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/03/05/body.scanners.airports/index.html?hpt=T2

Woohoo.. Means maybe this October when I fly out they'll get to check out my sexiness via 'naked' pics

Me too, fellow buckeye.


UGH.

 

[justplaingoofy]

hmmm... we're Boston Logan... according to the article they are being installed today. Looks like someone will be getting an eyeful when we travel next month

 

[prncess674]

Are you really believing that an $8 hour worker is going to keep you safer? I just find these to be an invasion of privacy and are only meant for the appearance of security. People are still required to place bags (where the majority of hazards are stored) to be scanned and reviewed by an ill-trained worker.

Had to chuckle the last time I flew thru MCO. The child in front of me had some gaming system in his bag. The TSA employee made a big deal that he recognized his "whatever system" and it needed to be removed and re-run. If you knew what is was, then why have it removed. The TSA are only good at recognized innocent (but banned) items such as water and shampoo bottles.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Are you really believing that an $8 hour worker is going to keep you safer? I just find these to be an invasion of privacy and are only meant for the appearance of security. People are still required to place bags (where the majority of hazards are stored) to be scanned and reviewed by an ill-trained worker.

Usually when I see a post that offends me I just skip through it, but feel compelled to reply to your post. I find this offensive because if the TSA employee is making $8 an hour or $20 an hour it does not make their job any less important. My father in law worked for the TSA for years (he retired from very good job and enjoyed people.) The things that they would find at checkpoints are amazing...knives, pocket blades, etc.

There are reasons why some items are prohibited. I agree that not all items make sense because you can do just as much damage to someone with a pencil, but if I want to continue to fly then I have to abide by their rules, regulations and give up some privacy. If I choose not to do that, then my choice is to drive or take the train.

 

[prncess674]

There are reasons why some items are prohibited. I agree that not all items make sense because you can do just as much damage to someone with a pencil, but if I want to continue to fly then I have to abide by their rules, regulations and give up some privacy. If I choose not to do that, then my choice is to drive or take the train.

My jobs requires that I fly. I am on a plane at least twice a week. How would you like it if you had to give up 2-4 hours a week of your time to do the laughable security dance shuffle. Sure I am a salaried employee, but when I started this job in 1997 it was soo much quicker to transit an airport. If I have to see two clients it could be 4 or 5 times a week. It is easy, when you are a casual flyer to give up a brief moment of privacy for the "appearance" of security, but what I have come to realize is the security procedures are laughable and ridiculous. They haven't made us more secure. Please don't assume that body scanners are going to make us more secure. The blurred privates section would have done nothing to stop the Christmas crotch bomber. The TSA is working within the confines of the law and the budget, but please don't mistake these actions really make us more secure. Taking a pocket knife off of Pa Kettle who only uses it to whittle sticks on the back porch and Lubriderm lotion off of Ma Kettle is just a big puppet act that just inconviences passengers.

TSA agents are trained to pick out the obvious contraband that isn't going to harm anyone. True terrorists will get past the law.

 

[uva185]

TSA agents are trained to pick out the obvious contraband that isn't going to harm anyone. True terrorists will get past the law.

They can't even do that! I have given up on taking my liquids out at the checkpoint. 95% of the time the TSA does not even notice the liquids in my bag (including full sized bottles on a few occasions). TSA security is a complete façade!

 

[Inkmahm]

They can't even do that! I have given up on taking my liquids out at the checkpoint. 95% of the time the TSA does not even notice the liquids in my bag (including full sized bottles on a few occasions). TSA security is a complete façade!

I've noticed the same thing with liquids. I no longer bother to put them in a bag and TSA has never noticed yet. Once I was already on the plane before I realized I'd gone through security with a half bottle of water still in my bag. Even that wasn't noticed bu TSA.

 

[CPT Tripss]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/03/05/body.scanners.airports/index.html?hpt=T2

Woohoo.. Means maybe this October when I fly out they'll get to check out my sexiness via 'naked' pics

Me too, fellow buckeye.


UGH.

hmmm... we're Boston Logan... according to the article they are being installed today. Looks like someone will be getting an eyeful when we travel next month

Why let some unknown, unseen person "get an eyeful?"

Just look for a line without the nude-o-scope one or "opt out?" It is voluntary . . . so far.

 

[buzz5985]

My jobs requires that I fly. I am on a plane at least twice a week. How would you like it if you had to give up 2-4 hours a week of your time to do the laughable security dance shuffle. Sure I am a salaried employee, but when I started this job in 1997 it was soo much quicker to transit an airport. If I have to see two clients it could be 4 or 5 times a week. It is easy, when you are a casual flyer to give up a brief moment of privacy for the "appearance" of security, but what I have come to realize is the security procedures are laughable and ridiculous. They haven't made us more secure. Please don't assume that body scanners are going to make us more secure. The blurred privates section would have done nothing to stop the Christmas crotch bomber. The TSA is working within the confines of the law and the budget, but please don't mistake these actions really make us more secure. Taking a pocket knife off of Pa Kettle who only uses it to whittle sticks on the back porch and Lubriderm lotion off of Ma Kettle is just a big puppet act that just inconviences passengers.

TSA agents are trained to pick out the obvious contraband that isn't going to harm anyone. True terrorists will get past the law.

I'm just curious. What are your solutions to keep Americans safe??

 

[prncess674]

I'm just curious. What are your solutions to keep Americans safe??

Seriously, we allow hoards of cars and large trucks to go past big buildings, trains are left with no security, subways are left unchecked. This is a complete total over reaction to a problem. If the government was really worried about our safety there would be full body scanners to enter any public transport or any public area. They know that isn't possible so they put up this security show at the airport so people get the image that they are safe. They are no safer now on air travel than they were 10 years ago pre-911.

 

[dburg30]

Why let some unknown, unseen person "get an eyeful?"

Just look for a line without the nude-o-scope one or "opt out?" It is voluntary . . . so far.

Guess my sarcasm didnt come thru . I dont have any issue at all with going thru one, I personally dont care. Some people do, I dont.

 

[goofy4tink]

Basically, terrorists use planes because it's sensational. Much more sensational to bring a plane down (and cause the ensuing panic about flying) than it is to blow up a building. Sorry, but that's true.
Do TSA proceedures actually make me any safer? Probably not. But, that's just the way it is. Rather than moaning and groaning about it, and having these senseless discussions, we would be better served by just doing what is expected of us.
Many people fly many miles in the line of duty.....and I'm sure those people could probably add up the time they spend in security lines. But, again, it's part of doing business. You would think that those more seasoned travelers would know the drill and get through it much faster than the normal vacationing family.
I know that it doesn't take me all that much longer to get through security....about 3 mins (if that) from when I put my stuff on the belt to putting my shoes back on....big deal. Certainly nothing worth getting worked up over.

I have yet to run into a nasty or power hungry TSA agent. Granted I fly mostly out of TF Green, Logan, MCO, FtL and TPA...but still, they have all been pretty good. Some even have a sense of humor. I can't tar and feather an entire group of workers just because some have been nasty or power hungry. Nope, not going do it. They have a job to do, they have to do certain things. Why would any of you want to take out your frustrations on someone who is just doing his/her job????

 

[betterlatethannever]

It doesn't look like the CNN article mentioned that the machines being added are the backscatter type, not the millimeter wave (MMW) type. The backscatter is based on xrays, while the MMW is like an ultrasound.

The backscatter machines are much more detailed. See these pictures from the TSA website. Click on the picture and you can even see the leg bones.

But what I really don't like about this new procedure is that, no matter what option you take (pat down or these machines), you CANNOT keep an eye on your carry ons.

Ed

 

[betterlatethannever]

... Rather than moaning and groaning about it, and having these senseless discussions, we would be better served by just doing what is expected of us.
...

You may be right that this shouldn't be discussed on a Disney discussion board (need to bring back the debate board ).

But, the rest of your statement is just . If that was the case, you would have never gotten the right to vote.

Ed

 

[Hannathy]

But what I really don't like about this new procedure is that, no matter what option you take (pat down or these machines), you CANNOT keep an eye on your carry ons.

Ed

That is my biggest complaint. I really don't care who sees what. Like I said what I've got has seen before and much better! so I don't really care BUT if they are going to make me go away from my bags then they need to assume full responsibility for keeping them safe, only reasonable IMO

 

[prncess674]

You may be right that this shouldn't be discussed on a Disney discussion board (need to bring back the debate board ).

But, the rest of your statement is just . If that was the case, you would have never gotten the right to vote.

Ed

100% agree. I am certainly not going to just be a lemming to every little thing the government slaps the silly title of "for your safety" on it. How about they place a tap on your phone line and internet useage and safe, well it is for your safety. I don't need the government playing big brother. That is what has gotten us to this ridiculous security circus in the first place that makes no sense at all.

As a frequent traveler I do know how to do the security dance quicker than most, but it doesn't speed up Ma & Pa Kettle who joined the wrong line, forgot to remove the $20 in loose change, the belt buckle and the steel toe cowboy boots. MCO does not have an elite/first security line which is unfortunate for those of use who know what we are doing.

I have run into several power hungry TSA agents. They get all snippy when you ask anything. They yell instructions like they are wardens and we are the prisoners. They make up random rules.

 

[eliza61]

Why let some unknown, unseen person "get an eyeful?"

Just look for a line without the nude-o-scope one or "opt out?" It is voluntary . . . so far.

I guess because since they are "unknown" I could care less what they see or don't see.

I'll be flying to Europe quite a bit over the next few months, since I've gone through them in London already without much inconvenience its a big "muchado about nothing" in my world.

I think this will be just like the original searches. When they first came out every body and their mama complained about the evasion of privacy, the time it waste etc, etc. Now it's just some thing we do. every one will kivetch for a time about the full body scanners and then in 2 years they will become routine and no one will think twice about it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Why let some unknown, unseen person "get an eyeful?"

Just look for a line without the nude-o-scope one or "opt out?" It is voluntary . . . so far.

You are misinformed on what the body scan shows. It does not show your nude body to the person running the scan. It shows a generic body image, and if you have something questionable on your person, it places that item on the generic body image. They are not seeing a pic of your nude self.

 

[betterlatethannever]

It doesn't look like the CNN article mentioned that the machines being added are the backscatter type, not the millimeter wave (MMW) type. The backscatter is based on xrays, while the MMW is like an ultrasound.

The backscatter machines are much more detailed. See these pictures from the TSA website. Click on the picture and you can even see the leg bones.

But what I really don't like about this new procedure is that, no matter what option you take (pat down or these machines), you CANNOT keep an eye on your carry ons.

Ed

You are misinformed on what the body scan shows. It does not show your nude body to the person running the scan. It shows a generic body image, and if you have something questionable on your person, it places that item on the generic body image. They are not seeing a pic of your nude self.

I think you may be confusing the machines that are being installed (backscatter type) now, for the millimeter wave type. If you click on the link my earlier post (copied here for your convenience ), the MMW show the "generic body"; but, the backscatter machines are detailed enough to see how "well endowed" a man is. That is not a "generic body image" to me.

Ed