"Naked" X-Ray Scans At The Airport.. Your Thoughts?

[BlueMarlin]

Have you seen the images these show?

After looking at a few on a Google Search, neither my wife nor I are concerned about someone seeing us "naked" in an x-ray. It is far more science fiction than something a person may consider a naughty picture.

 

[Wall-E1]

Have you seen the images these show?

After looking at a few on a Google Search, neither my wife nor I are concerned about someone seeing us "naked" in an x-ray. It is far more science fiction than something a person may consider a naughty picture.

I have seen those pictures and for the most part this would not be a problem for others, but my body does look exactly like the images that are shown on Google. What should I do?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I have seen those pictures and for the most part this would not be a problem for others, but my body does look exactly like the images that are shown on Google. What should I do?

Ask for a refund?

 

[Morganpics]

If they begin this type of scanning, I will no longer fly... far too invasive for the average traveller and way too much room for abuse.

I totally agree.

And the scanning won't change anything. The people on the ground and with the "supposedly" intelligence agencies dropped the ball and didn't do their job. Because of that, the average traveller suffers. Point the finger where the problem lies instead of turning up the hysteria level. Pretty soon air travel will require you to arrive 24 hours ahead and be chained naked into your seat.

 

[DawnCt1]

This is disturbing.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-airport-scanners-just-a-scam-1856175.htmlAre planned airport scanners just a scam?

New technology that Gordon Brown relies on for his response to the Christmas Day bomb attack has been tested – and found wanting

By Jane Merrick

Sunday, 3 January 2010


The explosive device smuggled in the clothing of the Detroit bomb suspect would not have been detected by body-scanners set to be introduced in British airports, an expert on the technology warned last night.

The claim severely undermines Gordon Brown's focus on hi-tech scanners for airline passengers as part of his review into airport security after the attempted attack on Flight 253 on Christmas Day.

The Independent on Sunday has also heard authoritative claims that officials at the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Home Office have already tested the scanners and were not persuaded that they would work comprehensively against terrorist threats to aviation.

 

[Bluestars]

I don't care one way or the other about a body scan. If they have to do it, then they should do it. I don't feel like it's invasive.

Heck, I have had x-rays, mammograms, pap smears, birthed a few babies, and have had several other things that I can think of that were much more invasive than a body scan. Of all the things that would bother me, I would have to put a body scan as something very low on my list. I just want them to do whatever they need to do to make sure the plane I am on is not going down.

 

[Feralpeg]

The point is this is incredibly unrealistic. Surely nobody thinks we're going to be taking our shoes off every time we want to go to the public library or the grocery store. Setting aside civil liberties concerns, we have to make some tough choices about how we apply our limited resources, and at what point changing our lifestyles to create a marginal increased level of safety is inappropriate. Using your example, if adding searches for all public transportation options (not that this is at all feasible) discourages use of public transit and drives more people into their cars, is that a smart policy decision? We still gotta live our lives.

I never said I think they should do searches for all public transportation options. It would be complete overkill and not feasible. I was simply responding to another poster who asked if people who had no problem with the scan at airports would be okay with it on other forms of public transportation. I would not have a problem with it anywhere, though I doubt that it will ever be an issue.

 

[robinb]

I was directed to this thread from another thread. I just wanted to give people the heads up that the full body scan machines are installed in the Tampa airport. I was caught unawares and ended up getting electronically strip searched before I knew what was happening. If you want to avoid the scan, be prepared to ask for a pat down instead and be aware that they do NOT inform you that you will be scanned when they ask you to enter the machine. I thought is was simply an area where the TSA agent was going to wand me. FWIW, I did not set off the primary alarm system. I was pulled out on a random basis.

Now that I think about it, it may have been because of my DH's bag. He took my ziplock of pins in his bag and we forgot to pull them out to be scanned in a bin. They spent a lot of time looking at his bag (they ended up hand searching it) and I was the last one through. *sigh* Strip searched because of pins! Thank goodness I don't think I had any scrappers!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Now that I think about it, it may have been because of my DH's bag. He took my ziplock of pins in his bag and we forgot to pull them out to be scanned in a bin. They spent a lot of time looking at his bag (they ended up hand searching it) and I was the last one through. *sigh* Strip searched because of pins! Thank goodness I don't think I had any scrappers!

You were not strip searched, you were scanned and imaged, with no personal identifiable information stored or retained.

 

[robinb]

You were not strip searched, you were scanned and imaged, with no personal identifiable information stored or retained.

Yes I was. I was stripped naked electronically and visually searched. Whether the information was stored or retained has nothing to do with the scan itself.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Yes I was. I was stripped naked electronically and visually searched. Whether the information was stored or retained has nothing to do with the scan itself.

So what's your next move? Hire a lawyer? Never fly again? And how did you not know what was going on? With everything that's been on the news you had no idea? Isn't that part of your responsibility -- to know what the procedures are? Honestly, I don't mean to be snarky, but if you're going to talk about being stripped naked (electronically or otherwise), what are you going to do about it? I'm just curious if all those who say they will never fly again, actually won't.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

Have you seen the images these show?

After looking at a few on a Google Search, neither my wife nor I are concerned about someone seeing us "naked" in an x-ray. It is far more science fiction than something a person may consider a naughty picture.

I know...they are nothing at all! I have no concerns, but I also do not travel outside of the US. I think if you do not want them, they hey, don't fly!

 

[locolala]

I agree, if you don't like the technology and the risk that you may have to be screened, don't fly. There are other ways to get around the country. I'd MUCH rather be screened with that, getting patted down is a little too weird for me. I have a bubble and I don't like people in my bubble and touching me.

 

[DWGal210]

Honestly, I'd rather someone see me "naked" than have my plane crash because someone was let on board with explosives.

My thoughts exactly!

I do agree with the statement that if someone wants to get on a plane (or anywhere, really) and hurt people, they will find a way to do it; but to me, if it will stop potential attacks, I am all for it.

 

[robinb]

So what's your next move? Hire a lawyer? Never fly again? And how did you not know what was going on? With everything that's been on the news you had no idea? Isn't that part of your responsibility -- to know what the procedures are? Honestly, I don't mean to be snarky, but if you're going to talk about being stripped naked (electronically or otherwise), what are you going to do about it? I'm just curious if all those who say they will never fly again, actually won't.

No, I had no idea that Tampa had a machine otherwise I would have been prepared. It is only in a few airports, so it's not like it is everywhere. I did not see a sign that said that the scanner was being used and I was not told it was a body scanner when the TSA agent asked me to step into it. I thought it was just a place to stand and be wanded. I was not verbally told that I had the option to be hand searched instead. My DH saw a sign after the fact but he said that it was placed on the side where you can't see it as you are entering the devise. IIRC the scanner is between two regular TSA metal detector/scanners so it's not even like you would see it if you were not looking for it. When I go through security I concentrate on getting my stuff on the belt, focus on the TSA agent to wave me though and then on getting my stuff off the belt. I was hustled into the machine instantly after stepping though the gate.

I never said that I wouldn't fly again . If I am presented with the same situation I will ask to be hand searched instead. IMO, it is certainly no more invasive than having some TSA agent look at my naked digitized body. If all persons are required to be electronically strip searched in the future I will cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I refuse to give up any more rights to the TSA than I am required to.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

No, I had no idea that Tampa had a machine otherwise I would have been prepared. It is only in a few airports, so it's not like it is everywhere. I did not see a sign that said that the scanner was being used and I was not told it was a body scanner when the TSA agent asked me to step into it. I thought it was just a place to stand and be wanded. I was not verbally told that I had the option to be hand searched instead. My DH saw a sign after the fact but he said that it was placed on the side where you can't see it as you are entering the devise. IIRC the scanner is between two regular TSA metal detector/scanners so it's not even like you would see it if you were not looking for it. When I go through security I concentrate on getting my stuff on the belt, focus on the TSA agent to wave me though and then on getting my stuff off the belt. I was hustled into the machine instantly after stepping though the gate.

I never said that I wouldn't fly again . If I am presented with the same situation I will ask to be hand searched instead. IMO, it is certainly no more invasive than having some TSA agent look at my naked digitized body. If all persons are required to be electronically strip searched in the future I will cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I refuse to give up any more rights to the TSA than I am required to.

Fair enough. Thanks for your reply. Sorry if I intimated that you personally would never fly again. There are people on this thread that said they would never fly again if this scanner was used and I wasn't sure if you were one of those posters. I guess it's always good to have options. I personally would rather have the scanner than a stranger touching my body. I'd also prefer the scanner for my daughter.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Yes I was. I was stripped naked electronically and visually searched. Whether the information was stored or retained has nothing to do with the scan itself.

I disagree...you were not stripped of your clothes, you were imaged, using particles that bounced off your body that penetrated your clothes. Technicality or not, you were not stripped searched, your body was not fully nude in front of anyone, your body was not identifiable outside some grainy, blurred image that is used to detect foreign objects.

If they make these scans mandatory as I have mentioned in other posts, are you going to not fly? Trying not to be sarcastic, but it sounds like you should consider alternative forms of transportation in the future.

 

[AshleyW]

I don't care one way or the other about a body scan. If they have to do it, then they should do it. I don't feel like it's invasive.

Heck, I have had x-rays, mammograms, pap smears, birthed a few babies, and have had several other things that I can think of that were much more invasive than a body scan. Of all the things that would bother me, I would have to put a body scan as something very low on my list. I just want them to do whatever they need to do to make sure the plane I am on is not going down.

My thoughts exactly. If doing a body scan will help in even the smallest way regarding my safety, then do what ya gotta do. I actually feel worse for the guy that's gotta look at all these pictures than I do for everyone getting screened.

 

[robinb]

I personally would rather have the scanner than a stranger touching my body. I'd also prefer the scanner for my daughter.

It's a tough call. I would prefer neither invasive method myself, but sadly in today's post underpants-bomber security climate some of us will be pulled randomly aside to be searched in such a way. ETA: I thought there was an age limit on the scanning of 18-years old.

Trying not to be sarcastic, but it sounds like you should consider alternative forms of transportation in the future.

You're not trying very hard.

 

[locolala]

What will you do if they make the scans mandatory? I'm really not being sarcastic, just wondering here.