Body scanners and children ??

[BraveLittleToaster2]

I will be going to Disney soon and the airport I'm flying out of has the body scanners fully setup and are using them...I believe on a non-random basis, meaning everyone has to go through them.

I'm worried about the images as well as radiation.

Do children need to go through them? I dont even think my 3 year old will stand alone for something like that...she is very clingy..

Anyone gone through them with kids and can ease my mind about it??

 

[goofy4tink]

If a child can't (or won't) hold still for the scan, they will go through a patdown. It will NOT be the same agressive patdown that adults go through though.
I didn't think that there were any airports that solely used the new scanners. I thought that the airports that have them are using them on a random basis. Would be interesting to know how many airports use only the new back scatter scanners.

 

[Mkrop]

How were you planning on getting her through the metal detectors? I would approach it the same way. She would have had to go through all by herself and walk to an adult on the other side.

I would start practicing at home, make a game of it. This how we take off your shoes, this how we stand in the scanner, or this is what the guy in the uniform is going to do.

My DS was very clingy at that age too, so DH had him on one side and since he was a momma's boy I went through first and he came to me because he wanted mommy.

GL!

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

Well with the metal detector she would just walk thru to me. But I think with the body scanner you actually have to stand there with your arms up and be still. Not so sure she will handle it well. Guess I will have to wait and see.
I will try and prepare her for security though, thanks.

The whole thing makes me nervous.

 

[disneyfan55]

Well with the metal detector she would just walk thru to me. But I think with the body scanner you actually have to stand there with your arms up and be still. Not so sure she will handle it well. Guess I will have to wait and see.
I will try and prepare her for security though, thanks.

The whole thing makes me nervous.

I don't envy you. I agree, the metal detector you do walk through. The other leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion. We drive tomorrow.

 

[malibuconlee]

I wonder the same thing. I have a 2 year old and she'll walk thru the metal detector no problem. She's not gonna stand still for the new scanner.

As for "random". El Paso only has two or three lines for security total. In October at least one if not two of them were using the scanner. Not random. Everyone in the line used it.

 

[DebbieB]

I wonder the same thing. I have a 2 year old and she'll walk thru the metal detector no problem. She's not gonna stand still for the new scanner.

As for "random". El Paso only has two or three lines for security total. In October at least one if not two of them were using the scanner. Not random. Everyone in the line used it.

Just because the line has a scanner does not mean everyone has to go through it, I guess it depends on how busy they are. I was in Richmond and everyone in my line was going through the metal detector, I was pointed to the scanner. Having everyone go through it would really hold up the line since the scan takes time plus you have to wait for it to be reviewed.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Under the procedures now in use, if your child gets selected for the WBI (scanner) you can always opt out and have the patdown instead.

 

[Mkrop]

Well with the metal detector she would just walk thru to me. But I think with the body scanner you actually have to stand there with your arms up and be still. Not so sure she will handle it well. Guess I will have to wait and see.
I will try and prepare her for security though, thanks.

The whole thing makes me nervous.

I am ALWAYS nervous going through security. I dont feel like the vacation starts until we are through that mess.

I would practice if you plan on the scanner. Tell her to reach up high to the sky but then freeze like a statue. Maybe that will work.

 

[*Meagan*]

There are dozens of threads on the new scanners/pat downs/security/children. here a few that may help with your answer....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2590432&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2594058&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2597556&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2585870&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2600236&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2591070&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2602296&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2601344&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2594093&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2580072&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2600740&highlight=body+scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2601797&highlight=tsa+with+children
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2594093&highlight=tsa+with+children
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2599253&highlight=tsa+with+children
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2593906&highlight=tsa+with+children


Also in answer to your question.. the "radiation" from this machine is not radiation like your typical xray. This is back scatter radiation, there is no dose or "skin exposure". Basically this does nothing to you internally or externally and should be no harm done. You and your family will receive more radiation from the flight.
Also not everyone goes through the scanners and your trip to the airport may be like your last a normal walk through the metal detector.

 

[malibuconlee]

Just because the line has a scanner does not mean everyone has to go through it, I guess it depends on how busy they are. I was in Richmond and everyone in my line was going through the metal detector, I was pointed to the scanner. Having everyone go through it would really hold up the line since the scan takes time plus you have to wait for it to be reviewed.

The day I was there, the line I went thru everyone I saw went thru the scanner. El Paso is not a large airport.

 

[CPT Tripss]

There are dozens of threads on the new scanners/pat downs/security/children. here a few that may help with your answer....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2590432&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2594058&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2597556&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2585870&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2600236&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2591070&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2602296&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2601344&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2594093&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2580072&highlight=scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2600740&highlight=body+scanners
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2601797&highlight=tsa+with+children
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2594093&highlight=tsa+with+children
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2599253&highlight=tsa+with+children
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2593906&highlight=tsa+with+children


Also in answer to your question.. the "radiation" from this machine is not radiation like your typical xray. This is back scatter radiation, there is no dose or "skin exposure". Basically this does nothing to you internally or externally and should be no harm done. You and your family will receive more radiation from the flight.
Also not everyone goes through the scanners and your trip to the airport may be like your last a normal walk through the metal detector.

bolding mine . . . this is incorrect information.

 

[*Meagan*]

bolding mine . . . this is incorrect information.

Hm. I have done quite a bit of research on these scanners. I am an xray tech and work with radiation on a daily basis. I can guarantee you that if these machines were producing exposures like medical xrays do, they would not be able to use them. Also all of their TSA employees being "exposed" to the so called "radiation" produced from the scanners would be wearing dosimeters like every single person in the country who works with radiation in their field of work. And they do not. Also these scanners are open and no lead lined walls or windows etc to block the "radiation" from harming anyone around them which is also an issue. And again they would not be able to use scanners without any of these FDA regulations. I have seen pregnant woman in the new scanners. And we all know x-rays and pregnancy do not mix.

"HI. Im Meagan I will be taking your x-rays today. Name? date of birth? Any chance of pregnancy?"

I disagree with your "bolding"

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I heard on the news that you can go to your ticketing airline when you arrive at the airport and ask them if any of your children have been "preselected" for random screening, then ask them to be "deselected".

 

[CPT Tripss]

Hm. I have done quite a bit of research on these scanners. I am an xray tech and work with radiation on a daily basis. I can guarantee you that if these machines were producing exposures like medical xrays do, they would not be able to use them. Also all of their TSA employees being "exposed" to the so called "radiation" produced from the scanners would be wearing dosimeters like every single person in the country who works with radiation in their field of work. And they do not. Also these scanners are open and no lead lined walls or windows etc to block the "radiation" from harming anyone around them which is also an issue. And again they would not be able to use scanners without any of these FDA regulations. I have seen pregnant woman in the new scanners. And we all know x-rays and pregnancy do not mix.

"HI. Im Meagan I will be taking your x-rays today. Name? date of birth? Any chance of pregnancy?"

I disagree with your "bolding"

You are correct, there is no shielding, nor are any of the other normal radiation precations taken with x rays. FDA has not "signed off" on the use of these xray machines. Merely because these xray machines use reflected xrays rather than xrays that go through the body doesn't make them "not xray." I rather think that many more safety precautions would be taken if these machines were in a medical setting.

You might find Rep. Holt's (Ph.D. in physics) information and letter to TSA (http://holt.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=651&Itemid=18) interesting. Particularly the part where he expresses concern about the xray dose from these machines being much higher than is reported by TSA and the manufacturer. None of the data upon which conclusions were drawn was peer reviewed.

ETA - I find it interesting that the radiology docs and the radiology association recommend limiting exposure to xrays. why would anyone want more when it doesn't serve a medical purpose?

 

[goofy4tink]

You are correct, there is no shielding, nor are any of the other normal radiation precations taken with x rays. FDA has not "signed off" on the use of these xray machines. Merely because these xray machines use reflected xrays rather than xrays that go through the body doesn't make them "not xray." I rather think that many more safety precautions would be taken if these machines were in a medical setting.

You might find Rep. Holt's (Ph.D. in physics) information and letter to TSA (http://holt.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=651&Itemid=18) interesting. Particularly the part where he expresses concern about the xray dose from these machines being much higher than is reported by TSA and the manufacturer. None of the data upon which conclusions were drawn was peer reviewed.

ETA - I find it interesting that the radiology docs and the radiology association recommend limiting exposure to xrays. why would anyone want more when it doesn't serve a medical purpose?

OKay, we have someone that works in this industry, someone who has done her homework and looked into the 'issue'. She feels there is no threat here. Or at least one that she is not bothered by.
Why do you insist on arguing with every single person who posts here with a differing opinion??? You are not going to be happy until some official study shows that we are all going to lose all our hair and start glowing if we use these scanners.
I am happy to have someone, in the industry, come here and tell us that they really have no issue with the scanners. She does make some very valid points.

 

[happymommy]

When we fly next month, I know that if we're selected, I will insist on the pat down instead, especially for my kids. I don't care if they say they're safe; I won't take any chances, especially with one child who already has health problems.

If you don't want the kids to be scanned, have the stupid pat down. I don't see what the big deal is really.

 

[CPT Tripss]

OKay, we have someone that works in this industry, someone who has done her homework and looked into the 'issue'. She feels there is no threat here. Or at least one that she is not bothered by.
Why do you insist on arguing with every single person who posts here with a differing opinion??? You are not going to be happy until some official study shows that we are all going to lose all our hair and start glowing if we use these scanners.
I am happy to have someone, in the industry, come here and tell us that they really have no issue with the scanners. She does make some very valid points.

Don't presume to know what will make me happy! You have no clue. I'll be happy when independent, peer reviewed studies are conducted. This is yet to happen.

Nothing against anyone that is a radiology tech . . . but they aren't experts. More knowledgeable than many of us, but not experts. And, if you look off this board, you will find that their oopinions are divided on the wisdom of getting increased radiation exposue.

 

[goofy4tink]

Don't presume to know what will make me happy! You have no clue. I'll be happy when independent, peer reviewed studies are conducted. This is yet to happen.

Nothing against anyone that is a radiology tech . . . but they aren't experts. More knowledgeable than many of us, but not experts. And, if you look off this board, you will find that their oopinions are divided on the wisdom of getting increased radiation exposue.

We both agree that an independent, peer review is the only way to go. On that we are in agreement. My issue is that every single time someone comes along with any kind of info that may refute your stand, you call them out and say they are pretty much not to be believed. It is only your viewpoint that is correct..no others. And that's just not fair. I am merely trying to keep things even-keeled here...there is no room for only one opinion.

 

[ratmaster]

Hm. I have done quite a bit of research on these scanners. I am an xray tech and work with radiation on a daily basis. I can guarantee you that if these machines were producing exposures like medical xrays do, they would not be able to use them. Also all of their TSA employees being "exposed" to the so called "radiation" produced from the scanners would be wearing dosimeters like every single person in the country who works with radiation in their field of work. And they do not. Also these scanners are open and no lead lined walls or windows etc to block the "radiation" from harming anyone around them which is also an issue. And again they would not be able to use scanners without any of these FDA regulations. I have seen pregnant woman in the new scanners. And we all know x-rays and pregnancy do not mix.

"HI. Im Meagan I will be taking your x-rays today. Name? date of birth? Any chance of pregnancy?"

I disagree with your "bolding"

For my industry, there have been studies of the amount of radiation received during the security screening process and during the rest of the traveling experience. A person receives far more radiation on board a flight at cruise altitude (35,000 ft asl) than they do going through the scanners.