MCO to begin using the new scanners within next 2-3 weeks

[camtheriot]

Is this safe during pregnancy?? I'll be around 3 1/2 mo when we go in December, and I'm a little concerned about this...

 

[ironz]

Is this safe during pregnancy?? I'll be around 3 1/2 mo when we go in December, and I'm a little concerned about this...

Personally, I would opt out if I were pregnant. You do not have to be exposed to extra radiation, though that will mean you would get a pat down. That is, if they even select you for extra screening. The initial TSA indication was that these were being used as a secondary form of screening and not for every single passenger.

The amount of radiation the TSA says these machines put out is very small, less than you would get from the flight itself. (whether or not I trust that they will keep the machines properly calibrated is a whole other topic). BUT, ALL radiation exposure is CUMULATIVE. That includes to you and your baby.

I'm a radiologist. Currently, our governing organizations are not recommending that everyone opt out that I know of. But we all do also adhere to the principle of ALARA with regards to radiation exposure: As Low As Reasonably Achievable.
I travel a lot for work and pleasure. Not sure what my plan is, other than to opt out the first time I encounter one of these, and see how invaded I feel by the pat-down. I do know that I will have background radiation exposure in the air, which is necessary for me to get from one place to another. Is this screening exposure NECESSARY? That's where a huge debate lies, and my belief is NO.

As for the images, I think they will be somewhat less detailed than a CT scan 'scout' image, in which I can tell you a whole lot about a person, if you know what I mean. Wouldn't call it borderline porn, but on the other hand, it's not a medical professional looking at them. Some of your TSA people are barely high school grads and not necessarily professionals.

 

[ironz]

Just adding on, after a quick consult with an Ob/Gyn friend of mine.
They are also going along with the American College of Radiology, in that the dose is too low to really worry about, esp relative to the flight itself. So they are not specifically recommending opting out.

BUT...like I said...if I were pregnant, I personally would still opt out.

 

[camtheriot]

Just adding on, after a quick consult with an Ob/Gyn friend of mine.
They are also going along with the American College of Radiology, in that the dose is too low to really worry about, esp relative to the flight itself. So they are not specifically recommending opting out.

BUT...like I said...if I were pregnant, I personally would still opt out.

I really appreciate you going to such great extents to answer my question... This is why I love DIS!!!

I agree with you.... If I don't HAVE to expose my baby to unnecessary radiation, than why do it?? I guess I'll have to endure "the pat-down".... LOL

Hopefully they will not give me any grief about not wanting to do it.... Should I bring a note from my doctor??

 

[Shadowcat70]

You may want to start a game type situation where your kids can practice going through the scanner. You can use a doorway or such.

That is an awesome idea. Thanks!

 

[5boyz]

I went thru one in Aug I think in Tampa Airport, It took 2 secs, we walked in spread my arms and I was out...i forget if took off shoes and belts...probalby.....

 

[AlexDurrani]

I am wondering if there is a list of airports with the scanners installed somewhere. It would be nice to know ahead of time before I go on my WDW trip in December.

Personally I would be more worried about the people looking at the image more then my modesty. I am sure someone will die of overload.

 

[ironz]

I really appreciate you going to such great extents to answer my question... This is why I love DIS!!!

I agree with you.... If I don't HAVE to expose my baby to unnecessary radiation, than why do it?? I guess I'll have to endure "the pat-down".... LOL

Hopefully they will not give me any grief about not wanting to do it.... Should I bring a note from my doctor??

You don't HAVE to even tell the TSA why you are opting out. But for me, just saying, "I opt out; I'm pregnant," doesn't sound like a big deal. You do not need a doctor's note.

Also, supposedly this technology is not going to be used on EVERY passenger. So there is a chance they won't even make you make that choice.

Happy to help! ( and trying to be as non-inflammatory as possible, KatieEldr!)

 

[Uncleromulus]

If I'm not mistaken MRS U and I were "selected" to go into the ones at BWI.
Took a few seconds and we thought little of it. Stand on the yellow footpads, raise your hands--and it's done.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've done these scans before..no big deal. BUT, if I were 3.5 months pregnant, I would opt for less radiation...go with the pat down.

 

[Carriemel]

You will get more radiation exposure 35,000 feet in the air in your airplane than you will in the scanner. The only people who it might affect negatively are the ones who need to be in front of it helping people in and out all day. They're the ones who will get the biggest doses of radiation and even that is a small amount compared to what OSHA says is acceptable.

I work for TSA

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Makes no difference if you have metal in your body. The backscatter imaging only reflects an outline of the surface of your body. They are looking for things you may have hidden under your clothes, not replacement parts internally.

Does anyone know if it matters if you have metal in your body with these new scanners? Do you have to let them know before you enter the scanner?

 

[DisMN]

Makes no difference if you have metal in your body. The backscatter imaging only reflects an outline of the surface of your body. They are looking for things you may have hidden under your clothes, not replacement parts internally.

Confession time. I don't always take my chapstick/lip balm out of my pocket when I go through security. Will the scanner be able to see that? LOL

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Makes no difference if you have metal in your body. The backscatter imaging only reflects an outline of the surface of your body. They are looking for things you may have hidden under your clothes, not replacement parts internally.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't too worried about them seeing it. More concerned about getting zapped, you know like when you put aluminum foil in the microwave . It's a sensitive area of my body and I don't want to see smoke coming out of me or have the machine blow up.

 

[Ariel on Land]

Oh great.... I know they have them at DFW and I'm really hoping to avoid these scanners OR the pat-down. Neither sound pleasant IMO. I wish there were an easy way of avoiding being "chosen."

 

[padawans]

Imagine being a airline employee and having to go through these everyday. Having to be screened by the same people everyday. They know what kind of undergarments you wear. What time of the month it is if you know what I mean. Talk about a violation of privacy. My dh says the female flight attendants, ticket agent, and frequent flyers really hate it For those of us that fly every few months its probably not that big of a deal. We will never see the screeners again. Imagine how you would feel if you showed up at work everyday and had to patted down or scanned by a security guard. Maybe thats what this world is coming to. It's a shame nobody protests this stuff. Whats next microchips so they can watch our every move?

 

[kaytieeldr]

What kind of underwear? Really? And the screener - the person watching the screen - is in a separate location from the actual scanner, i.e. not in a physical position to connect the scannee's image with their appearance, right?

 

[Dax]

Imagine being a airline employee and having to go through these everyday. Having to be screened by the same people everyday. They know what kind of undergarments you wear. What time of the month it is if you know what I mean. Talk about a violation of privacy. My dh says the female flight attendants, ticket agent, and frequent flyers really hate it For those of us that fly every few months its probably not that big of a deal. We will never see the screeners again. Imagine how you would feel if you showed up at work everyday and had to patted down or scanned by a security guard. Maybe thats what this world is coming to. It's a shame nobody protests this stuff. Whats next microchips so they can watch our every move?

I have heard this too from some of the flight crews that go through MCO. Many have been doing it at the airports they fly to, but not thrilled to be doing it at their "home" location.

My DH isnt real thrilled with the whole scanner idea either. He doesnt want me to have to go through them, but then again, does not want me submitted to a pat down either. Like it was mentioned in the PP article, going through security is not easier for employees half the time, even though we have been screened with a 10yr background check just to even GET the access, and to be subjected to some of the TSA people day in and day out is not fun. I dont expect people who only fly once in a while to understand. I also am not putting ALL TSA people in that catagory, but 95% of the TSA people at MCO are not overly nice.

 

[padawans]

What kind of underwear? Really? And the screener - the person watching the screen - is in a separate location from the actual scanner, i.e. not in a physical position to connect the scannee's image with their appearance, right?

If you go through the same scanner everyday with the same scannees. I'm sure they can put 2 and 2 together. My dh sees the same tsa people everyday when he goes to work. From the pictures I have seen on line they are pretty revealing.

 

[Dax]

More from the pilot who refused to get the scanner screening..

http://airlinenightmare.com/blog/?p=3475