Full Body Scans at Tampa Airport

[robinb]

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that the Tampa airport now has the full body (aka electronic strip search) scanning devices at the security check-point.

I was pulled aside for an additional search on 1/3 I did not set off the initial metal detector and I was just chosen randomly. Before I knew it I was standing on a platform in a clear circular machine and was being strip searched. They only told me that I needed some additional screening and did not tell me that it was a full body scan machine. They never told me of my option to be hand searched. My DH said there was a sign on the machine that said it was optional, but the sign was not visible when you enter the machine and they did not verbally indicate that it was optional.

I am no dummy but I had NO IDEA that it was a full body scan until it was half way over. I thought that it was a separate place where she was going to wand me. Boy was I wrong! I would have NEVER agreed to be randomly strip searched had I known what it was! I would have preferred to be patted down but I was NEVER given that option.

So, just a PSA, if you are asked to enter a machine that looks like this:

Don't go in it if you don't want a bunch of TSA agents seeing you naked.

 

[dburg30]

Bottom line, I'd go thru the machine. I dont have a problem with it. I believe them when they say the people in the room looking at the machine done see you and the people with you never see the image. I also believe they will do everything they can to make sure recording equipment isnt allowed in the rooms, and if they REALLY want a 'naked' picture of me, I guess they can have it..

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The option piece will probably be gone shortly, requiring all passengers to enter. Remember air travel is a privledge, not a right and your ability to travel is governed and they have every right to force people to use these devices.

I'm just wondering, why would you choose to be patted down, someone physically touching you (the days of simple pats are gone, they are a little more diligent now) over having a limited image that is not saved being taken? Also, it's not a "bunch of TSA agents", its one and possibly a supervisor who reviews the images.

 

[robinb]

Bottom line, I'd go thru the machine. I dont have a problem with it. I believe them when they say the people in the room looking at the machine done see you and the people with you never see the image. I also believe they will do everything they can to make sure recording equipment isnt allowed in the rooms, and if they REALLY want a 'naked' picture of me, I guess they can have it..

That is certainly your prerogative.

When I first heard about these machines I said that I would not enter one because I think it is an invasion of my personal privacy. I don't care if my face is blurred or if the images are not stored or whatever. I don't think that the TSA has the right strip search people on a random basis and I would NOT have entered that machine had I known what it was. The TSA must agree since there is the option to be hand-patted down however that option was not offered to me.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

That is certainly your prerogative.

When I first heard about these machines I said that I would not enter one because I think it is an invasion of my personal privacy. I don't care if my face is blurred or if the images are not stored or whatever. I don't think that the TSA has the right strip search people on a random basis and I would NOT have entered that machine had I known what it was. The TSA must agree since there is the option to be hand-patted down however that option was not offered to me.

The option to be hand patted down exists today, however once the machines are up in running at every airport, my guess (and some rumblings that I've read about) is that this option will be eliminated outside of a medical condition.

TSA is granted pretty much full rights to do what they feel is necessary to ensure the safety of air travel and it has been already determined, that like driving a car, flying is a privledge and in order to fly, you are bound by the governing force of the TSA (DMV in the case of driving), and you give up certain rights to be offered the privledge.

 

[Virtucomp]

I have no problem scanning everyone if it makes my flight safer. Like a PP said if you want to get your thrills looking at my 44yr old body go for it.

 

[robinb]

The option to be hand patted down exists today, however once the machines are up in running at every airport, my guess (and some rumblings that I've read about) is that this option will be eliminated outside of a medical condition.

TSA is granted pretty much full rights to do what they feel is necessary to ensure the safety of air travel and it has been already determined, that like driving a car, flying is a privledge and in order to fly, you are bound by the governing force of the TSA (DMV in the case of driving), and you give up certain rights to be offered the privledge.

Maybe it will be required and maybe it won't. Until then I will give up as few of my rights as possible to the TSA for the privilege of flying.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Not taking a position, but just so everybody has as much information as possible.

See this video on what the screener can see and how they can manipulate the image.

Ed

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

I would do it. If there was a cute female screener..maybe I would even flex for her

 

[HelenParr]

To OP: thanks for the info. While I don't mind the search method, I hate surprises - which includes anything changed in my travel process and routine. (Yes, I know. Get used to it.). I'm flying through Tampa in a couple of weeks and feel better having the info.

 

[bicker]

The option to be hand searched is listed on the notifications posted at the entry to the secured area. Ignore the posted notifications at your own peril, and subject to your own responsibility.

We just discussed this type of scan, here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2357617

This thread seems to be heading towards becoming another thread for people in favor and opposed to the scan to lodge their biased perspective, so I'm going to ask a mod to combine the two threads.

 

[robinb]

Brian, I did a search on the Transportation Board first to see if there was any information about Tampa having the scanner and I didn't see any. I started a new thread to convey that information so that others may be prepared should they also be told to get into the machine. I would prefer the threads NOT be combined if that makes any difference to the moderators.

FWIW, I did not "ignore" the sign the sign that said the full body scan was in use, I did not see the sign at all. My DH saw the sign after the fact and said that it was placed in such a way that you would not be able to see it if you were entering the chamber.

 

[bicker]

Yup it would be good if this thread, then, remained solely about informing people about the introduction of the scanners in Tampa, and all other replies, about the scanners themselves, the scan technology, the process, the rules, both current and impending, how TSA administers the secure areas, etc., basically everything that doesn't pertain to actual news about the scanners being introduced in Tampa, posted in the other thread. Sound right to you?

 

[tjmw2727]

Something very similar hapened to us the first week of December in Detroit. I did not see any signs indicating they were using the screeners prior to security. One of the womenn we were traveling with was randomly selected, she did not set off the detector.

TSA was very open about her options - full pat down and wanding as well as hand inspection of her carryon or use the body screener. They gave her a laminated pamphlet to look at with info on the body screener and let her decide.

This was December 6th, even before the Christmas day incident.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last Thursday when my family and I were flying home from Tampa my dad was chosen randomly to go through this.

 

[dburg30]

I guess others feel differently (that's obvious from the posts) but I'd rather have a 'naked' picture (and I still dont really feel that way about them) as to have a stranger feeling me up. If you wont let them do the scan, I cant believe you'd let a stranger get up close and personal with you. But, as you said, it's my choice on which option..

 

[robinb]

Last Thursday when my family and I were flying home from Tampa my dad was chosen randomly to go through this.

Maybe it *was* the pins! I remember you posting that you had no problems though the TPA airport except for them going through your pin book page by page. I don't remember you mentioning that your dad was screened or I may have been ready for it. My DH had my ziplock bag of pins he was supposed to remove from his bag and send though the scanner in a bin. He forgot to and they spent a LONG time looking at his bag before they pulled HIM over to tear it apart. I was the last one in line for our family so maybe my search was not so "random" after all. They were already on alert due to the pins by the time I walked though the metal detector.

 

[Esmerelda]

I hope that they install these at ALL the US airports.

Believe me, we all have the same equipment. It's just in all different sizes. I have no problem with a full body scan and neither does any of my family.

My thought; if you don't want to be scanned, take the train or the bus.

Kudos to Tampa!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Because I need a wheelchair to get through most airports, and while airports differ, most of my flights the last several years have included a hand inspection/wanding - especially in, I think, Florida where they let me stay in the wheelchair through security.

Honestly, I'd rather have the scan. I don't mind the pat-downs, but since (to avoid charges of sexual harassment) they assign same-sex agents to do the inspections, well... if I can't choose the attractive middle-aged male to hand-inspect me, I'll just go for the scan.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Maybe it *was* the pins! I remember you posting that you had no problems though the TPA airport except for them going through your pin book page by page. I don't remember you mentioning that your dad was screened or I may have been ready for it. My DH had my ziplock bag of pins he was supposed to remove from his bag and send though the scanner in a bin. He forgot to and they spent a LONG time looking at his bag before they pulled HIM over to tear it apart. I was the last one in line for our family so maybe my search was not so "random" after all. They were already on alert due to the pins by the time I walked though the metal detector.

No the pins were in my bag and like I said before they told him he was being selected at random. So if I was in front of him in the line or my mom was, then chances are we would have been selected for it.