New Airport Security Scanner

[betterlatethannever]

Now that a few airports have the new whole body scanner, has anybody gone through it? For those that have gone through it, I have a few questions.

What exactly happens?

Was it faster than the metal detector?

Thanks. Just curious in what to expect.

Ed

 

[uva185]

It is a backscatter x-ray machine. I have never gone through it.

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

 

[DVC-Don]

Friend of mine texted he went through one today. Wonder if we can order a 8X10?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Haven't gone through one yet - but since the metal detector is less than two feet deep, it doesn't seem the scanner could be any faster.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Haven't gone through one yet - but since the metal detector is less than two feet deep, it doesn't seem the scanner could be any faster.

In fact, according to those reporting on Flyer Talk, due to all the "to do" and instructions given, it is slower. Enter the machine, stand still, feet on marks, arms out, don't move.

Plus you have to divest everything on your person, including wallet handkerchief and cash, not just metal objects.

ETA: An on-line petition to the TSA to stop the use of this invasive technology is available at http://privacycoalition.org/stopwholebodyimaging/.

 

[DLW8]

They are definitely NOT faster than the walk through ones.

You stand on the pad, and they blow little puffs of air towards you, then the doors open when you are okay to exit.

Not sure how my kids will react to these when we head to WDW in December...when we went in January 2008 they only had 1 open at BDL, last time I flew for business, they ONLY had these....

 

[betterlatethannever]

They are definitely NOT faster than the walk through ones.

You stand on the pad, and they blow little puffs of air towards you, then the doors open when you are okay to exit.

Not sure how my kids will react to these when we head to WDW in December...when we went in January 2008 they only had 1 open at BDL, last time I flew for business, they ONLY had these....

What you are describing are the puffers.

TSA announced this week that the puffers are going to be removed from airports. They were too expensive to maintain.

What I am trying to find out about are the whole body scanners (latest and greatest technology). The ones that do a virtual "strip search" of you. The millimeter waves penetrate clothes to "see" your skin, and what might be hiding under the clothes. (and yes, it can tell how well endowed you are (both men and women).

Ed

 

[seashoreCM]

Wonder if we can order a 8X10?

Perhaps there is a sample of one (of somebody else) on the internet and you can download it and photoshop your head onto it. No one will notice the difference.

 

[Chris and Heidi]

I just traveled from Raleigh- Durham to St. Louis this week and went through one. It looks like the tubes at a bank drive thru that you put your money in and send it in to the teller, except life size.

The door closes and you stand one way with your arms straight up in the air. Then, you turn 90 degrees with your arms straight out. Then, you wait for a signal from the attendant that you are okay to proceed. Is slowed the whole process down.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I just traveled from Raleigh- Durham to St. Louis this week and went through one. It looks like the tubes at a bank drive thru that you put your money in and send it in to the teller, except life size.

The door closes and you stand one way with your arms straight up in the air. Then, you turn 90 degrees with your arms straight out. Then, you wait for a signal from the attendant that you are okay to proceed. Is slowed the whole process down.

Were you offered the option of by-passing this device and being "frisked" instead? I ask because the TSA blog says that the device is "optional." Were you shown a sample of what the image is said to look like?

 

[Canadamom]

I had to do the body scan in Tampa airport. It did slow the process down as I had to wait for whoever reads the scan (don't know where they were) to OK everything. They even checked back to ask if I was wearing a belt. I was told that if I didn't go through the scanner I would have to have a complete pat-down and wand check.

 

[betterlatethannever]

How long were you in the scanner?

Was the scanner positioned so that you can keep an eye on your carry ons while you were in it?

Ed

 

[Maxie86]

One example of the pictures. Interesting reading.

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2008/10/is_the_tsa_violating_your_priv.html


The TSA's example.

http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2008/05/which-is-it-millimeter-wave-or.html


I would rather have the pat down. Who knows what setting they will have on the machine.

 

[all4disney98]

How long were you in the scanner?

Was the scanner positioned so that you can keep an eye on your carry ons while you were in it?

Ed

That is a good question....can anyone confirm where your carry ons are while you are going through this?

 

[CPT Tripss]

That is a good question....can anyone confirm where your carry ons are while you are going through this?

Sitting on the x ray belt from what I was told by a PHX flyer. Visible but inaccessible to you until you are cleared. If it is anything like my usual experience while waiting for my shoes to be swabbed, a TSAer will be wandering around with CPAP wondering outloud who owns it so he/she can swab it also.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

As an xray tech I can say I would def not want to irradiate my entire body, and especially my children, for airport security. That's just ridiculous to be exposed to so much radiation and not even for health purposes.
At least we shield reproductive organs and thyroid when we can. This is just nuts!!!

I saw sample pictures in a magazine and can't belive how realistic they are. Almost like standing naked...

 

[Canadamom]

The scanner did not take long at all. At one point I believe I did have to turn away from my carry-ons, however my husband was with the bags as he wasn't "selected" for the extra security check. Next time I will most likely decline the scanner, but it all happened so fast and I was unprepared for the decision.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The scanner did not take long at all. At one point I believe I did have to turn away from my carry-ons, however my husband was with the bags as he wasn't "selected" for the extra security check. Next time I will most likely decline the scanner, but it all happened so fast and I was unprepared for the decision.

Hmmm . . . female selected for "strip search," male traveling companion not . . . makes ya wonder.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

As an xray tech I can say I would def not want to irradiate my entire body, and especially my children, for airport security. That's just ridiculous to be exposed to so much radiation and not even for health purposes.
At least we shield reproductive organs and thyroid when we can. This is just nuts!!!
:

I suggest you do a little research. These machines expose someone to the same amount of radiation as what you are exposed to flying for TWO minutes!

Are you also suggesting people not fly because of the exposure to radiation?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Hmmm . . . female selected for "strip search," male traveling companion not . . . makes ya wonder.

LOL!!

I bet Pamela Anderson and Dolly Parton would get chosen every time!!!