For what reasons could you be requested to go through the full body scanners?

[sam_gordon]

Your appoach does have merit. BUT, how do you know what "shouldn't happen" to you, your kid or your wife? TSA has not released the details of the new intrusive searches, so we don't know what is "OK."

How do you know what's 'OK' when you take your kids to the doctor? Or when you go to the doctor? This sounds like a cop out, but I'm going to rely on my gut. The good thing is we'll be going in the summer (Memorial day weekend) so we shouldn't have anything bulky... t-shirts/collared shirts & slacks or shorts. So there shouldn't need to be a need to "repeat" a pass over any specific area of the body. Does that make sense?

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Fathers exposed to medical diagnostic x-rays are more likely to have infants who contract leukemia, especially if exposure is closer to conception or includes two or more X-rays of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract or lower abdomen.[36] In medical radiography the x-ray beam is adjusted to expose only the area of which an image is required, so that generally shielding is applied to the patient to avoid exposing the gonads,[37] whereas in an airport backscatter scan, the testicles of men and boys will be deliberately subjected to the direct beam, and radiation will also reach the ovaries of female subjects. Whilst the overall dose averaged over the entire body is lower in a backscatter X-ray scan than in a typical medical X-ray examination, because of the shielding of the gonads used in medical radiography this in itself does not mean that the dose to the testicles would be less in an airport scan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscatter_X-ray

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Pregnant Traveler: TSA Screeners Bullied Me Into Full-Body Scan
By Chris Morran on September 9, 2010 1:15 PM 0 views
(frankieleon)
Pregnant Consumerist reader Mary was recently going through the security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. When she realized that she would be going through a full-body scanner, she told the screeners she wanted to exercise her right to a pat-down -- even if it meant experiencing the TSA's new, icky "enhanced" pat-down. But instead of the screeners doing as she requested, Mary claims they proceeded to bully her into the scanner.

Let's hear it straight from Mary:


“The two TSA agents asked me, "Why don't you want to go through this?" I said, "I don't trust it." They said, "Why don't you trust it?" I said, "I am pregnant and would rather be pat down." And they said, "Oh but you get ultrasounds, don't you?"

I answered yes and the TSA officer said, "Oh it is less than an ultrasound, and it's really easy so just go through."

The TSA officers are doctors now??

They repeated again for me to just go through the scanner and it would be done in 5 seconds. I was literally in tears because I wanted a pat-down instead of going through the machine, and I felt they declined me that option. No matter how much I pushed for a hand pat-down, they pushed harder for the machine.

Then, after I stood in the machine, the officer waiting on the other side of it patronized me by cooing, "There, that was easy, wasn't it?"

I mentioned that I was forced to do it and went to the belt to take my possessions, while tears ran from my eyes.

I really felt the TSA agents were just being lazy since a pat down obviously takes more time for them, but I also feel like when I specifically ask for something that is an option for me, I should be able to get it.

”
A rep for the TSA confirms to Consumerist that TSA screeners are obligated to offer alternative screening, including a pat-down, for travelers who can't or won't go through the full-body scanners.

For Mary and other travelers experience problems with TSA screeners, the agency recommends using its "Talk to TSA" function available here. They claim that this allows travelers to file their grievances directly with TSA officials at the specific airport(s).

Travelers can also call (866) 289-9673 or e-mail the TSA at tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov


http://consumerist.com/2010/09/pregnant-traveler-tsa-screeners-bullied-me-into-full-body-scan.html

 

[ccgirl]

All I know is that I watched the video of the guy who refused-John Tyner-and the TSA agent warned him audibly in the video that he would pass over his thighs multiple times, his buttocks and his groin area. That's when Mr Tyner said "If you touch my junk I'll have you arrested". Then they refused to do the "enhanced pat down" on him. You can watch the entire 13 minute video he took with his cell phone here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UqM56e-kRA&feature=related

And...he also admitted he purchased the ticket for the sole purpose of causing a scene. Why do you think he had his cell phone on? Hardly impartial.

Fathers exposed to medical diagnostic x-rays are more likely to have infants who contract leukemia, especially if exposure is closer to conception or includes two or more X-rays of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract or lower abdomen.[36] In medical radiography the x-ray beam is adjusted to expose only the area of which an image is required, so that generally shielding is applied to the patient to avoid exposing the gonads,[37] whereas in an airport backscatter scan, the testicles of men and boys will be deliberately subjected to the direct beam, and radiation will also reach the ovaries of female subjects. Whilst the overall dose averaged over the entire body is lower in a backscatter X-ray scan than in a typical medical X-ray examination, because of the shielding of the gonads used in medical radiography this in itself does not mean that the dose to the testicles would be less in an airport scan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscatter_X-ray

But...these are not x-rays. The radiation does not penetrate the skin so it will not reach the ovaries. These machines are not new. They have been around for 20 years. We can find articles supporting both sides of this debate. The big difference here; is the evidence supporting the scanners provides hard numbers and the studies with the evidence disproving the scanners... Oh wait...there is no "evidence" just a lot of "possibly", "could" etc. Microwaves, cell phones, televisions and everything else "could" be harmful. For some reason, I just believe the studies.

 

[CPT Tripss]

How do you know what's 'OK' when you take your kids to the doctor? Or when you go to the doctor? This sounds like a cop out, but I'm going to rely on my gut. The good thing is we'll be going in the summer (Memorial day weekend) so we shouldn't have anything bulky... t-shirts/collared shirts & slacks or shorts. So there shouldn't need to be a need to "repeat" a pass over any specific area of the body. Does that make sense?

Common sense approach with TSA? Don't kid a kidder.

DD, in her 20s, was wearing shorts through the airport. Alarmed at the WTMD, was wanded, alarmed repeatedly in the shin area. DD pointed to the long scar and said plates and screws . . . TSAer felt her bare leg anyhow. TSAer and first line supervisor claimed it was SOP claiming she was too young to have an artifical knee. They never heard of other kinds of orthopedic surgery? When she complained to a manager, she was told that no one from TSA would ever do that (touch bare skin to resolve an alarm) and the manager would not ask the other two in DD's presence.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

And...he also admitted he purchased the ticket for the sole purpose of causing a scene. Why do you think he had his cell phone on? Hardly impartial.

What?!?!?!

He was with his father and they both had tickets to North Dakota (or some place) where they were going on a fishing trip. Did you watch the video? He turned on the phone camera when the TSA officials gave him his stuff back from the conveyor and things started to escalate. BTW, he lost the full price of his ticket (which his father paid for). Yu can see very clearly in the video he was very, very apologetic towards his father who then had to go on the trip alone. This was NOT an orchestrated event.

This kind of misinformation further skews the issues. Watch the video and see for yourself!

 

[CPT Tripss]

And...he also admitted he purchased the ticket for the sole purpose of causing a scene. Why do you think he had his cell phone on? Hardly impartial.


SNIP.

Where did you discover that "admission?"

 

[ccgirl]

What?!?!?!

He was with his father and they both had tickets to North Dakota (or some place) where they were going on a fishing trip. Did you watch the video? He turned on the phone camera when the TSA officials gave him his stuff back from the conveyor and things started to escalate. BTW, he lost the full price of his ticket (which his father paid for). Yu can see very clearly in the video he was very, very apologetic towards his father who then had to go on the trip alone. This was NOT an orchestrated event.

This kind of misinformation further skews the issues. Watch the video and see for yourself!

Actually, he walked over to the airline counter and got a refund of his non-refundable airfare. He was with his father in law and they were going hunting. Saw it, saw him, believe he wanted his 15 minutes of fame. Experienced it myself and experienced something very different. Then again, I went in there with a non confrontational attitude.

 

[ccgirl]

Where did you discover that "admission?"

Looking for the exact quote.

 

[Dan Murphy]

For what reasons could you be requested to go through the full body scanners? Is it random selection? Is it because you set of an alarm on the metal detector? Is it something else?

Plane boarding.

 

[look1angel]

My underwire bra set the machine off. Asked if they had a Johnny Depp look-a-like to pat me down...I got the evil Queen instead

 

[ccgirl]

Where did you discover that "admission?"

Have to run to a meeting but found this interesting article:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/16/who-john-tyner-and-why-he-upsetting-tsa/

As you read you can see that he clearly turned on his phone prior to entering the checkpoint. Hmmmm...I wonder what his intention was?

He also says the TSA acted in a very professional manner.

I will let you read if for yourself though.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Have to run to a meeting but found this interesting article:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/16/who-john-tyner-and-why-he-upsetting-tsa/

As you read you can see that he clearly turned on his phone prior to entering the checkpoint. Hmmmm...I wonder what his intention was?

He also says the TSA acted in a very professional manner.

I will let you read if for yourself though.

OK, that's what you got, he turned on his phone. Good thing he did, because if it were his word only, very few would have belived him.

This was a guy adverse to the scanners. He checked on the TSA website to discover whether the airport had the scanners, found out it did not (TSA website error?) so he booked the trip. He got to the airport and discovered there were the new scanners. Hardly sounds like his intent to cause trouble from the get go.

But you read it your way.

If that was his intent, he would have used an ID that did not have his address and he would not have given his address to the TSA supervisor.

 

[ccgirl]

OK, that's what you got, he turned on his phone. Good thing he did, because if it were his word only, very few would have belived him.

This was a guy adverse to the scanners. He checked on the TSA website to discover whether the airport had the scanners, found out it did not (TSA website error?) so he booked the trip. He got to the airport and discovered there were the new scanners. Hardly sounds like his intent to cause trouble from the get go.

But you read it your way.

If that was his intent, he would have used an ID that did not have his address and he would not have given his address to the TSA supervisor.

Why would he have turned his phone on and put it on top of his other carryons going thru the scanner if he didn't intend for something to happen? Surprise...surprise...then he posted the whole event on this blog which has gotten a ton of hits I understand. He also found out San Diego had some scanners and was trying to avoid it. Guess they were "profiling" him and saw he was trying to avoid them???? I also wasn't aware it was legal to vidotape without letting the person taped know???

 

[sam_gordon]

I also wasn't aware it was legal to vidotape without letting the person taped know???

I'm pretty sure that depends on state law. Some states allow the recording if only one person knows about it.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhkQoiaf7Uc

Everyone should watch this.

 

[sam_gordon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhkQoiaf7Uc

Everyone should watch this.

And people who don't like the TSA will like it. I got through about 3 minutes of the 9+ minute video before stopping it.

Look, I don't think ANYONE is saying the TSA is the best thing ever or that they don't make mistakes. But there are two options... airports can boot the TSA and hire private security firms or you do away with all screening. Either way you run into problems.

Once more with feeling... if you don't want to deal with the TSA... DON'T FLY!

 

[disneyfan55]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhkQoiaf7Uc

Everyone should watch this.

Something else. The 3 yr. old at the TN airport really was something as well.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

And people who don't like the TSA will like it. I got through about 3 minutes of the 9+ minute video before stopping it.

Look, I don't think ANYONE is saying the TSA is the best thing ever or that they don't make mistakes. But there are two options... airports can boot the TSA and hire private security firms or you do away with all screening. Either way you run into problems.

Once more with feeling... if you don't want to deal with the TSA... DON'T FLY!

Or, maybe there is another option?

Like standing up to this for the injustice that it is and get it changed. Silence constitutes acceptance.

 

[sam_gordon]

Or, maybe there is another option?

Like standing up to this for the injustice that it is and get it changed. Silence constitutes acceptance.

OK. I accept it. So?

Do you want a private firm taking over airport security? Or do you want no security at all? You've made it plain in your posts (at least to me) you are not happy with the TSA, regardless of the new scanners. So what do you want to do?