Those Pesky Scanners

[CPT Tripss]

Looks like calling them "nude-o-scopes was correct after all.

"They were graphic, no doubt about it," TSA area director Pat Ahlstrom said of the old scans. "Now, they don't have to be concerned that a private image will be viewed by a TSA officer."

...

A TSA worker used to sit alone in a room analyzing nude images with blurred faces of passengers and would then radio back to agents at the line to alert them to any contraband.

Read more: Denver International Airport unveils more modest security screening - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_18628299?source=commented-#ixzz1Umg6HKEo

 

[kaytieeldr]

Calling them nude-o-scopes was and remains immature and sensationalistic. What they weren't and aren't is identifying - barring, of course, the occasional lack of ethics in a TSO or two who reputedly may have neglected to blur the image of a celebriy. It's obvious to anyone looking at the sample images that they're graphic, and I'm confused at the need to reiterate that yet again.

I must admit, it's interesting that the OP continues to rehash or repeat old information, but forces the reader to link to an outside site to obtain the new, updated, gentler screenin/scanning process being introduced.

http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_18628299?source=commented-#ixzz1Umg6HKEo

Airline passengers will have more privacy around their privates now that a genderless image of their bodies will replace the previous display from controversial full-body scans.

The Transportation Security Administration on Friday unveiled new security checkpoint machines at Denver International Airport that will obscure details of a passenger's body and instead show what looks like a chalk outline.

"They were graphic, no doubt about it," TSA area director Pat Ahlstrom said of the old scans. "Now, they don't have to be concerned that a private image will be viewed by a TSA officer."

The machines detect explosives, plastics, metals or anything else that is foreign to the body.

TSA volunteers walked through the machines Friday with cellphones in pockets and earrings on to demonstrate how the screeners work.

Yellow boxes pop up along the body outlines on a computer screen, alerting security screeners where they need to search.

The new system will help passengers avoid a full-body patdown because a screener will know exactly where to look to find the source of the alert, Ahlstrom said.

A TSA worker used to sit alone in a room analyzing nude images with blurred faces of passengers and would then radio back to agents at the line to alert them to any contraband.

This was done to maintain the privacy of people going through the checkpoint.

DIA closed those private scanning rooms because the new images — resembling the outline of a gingerbread man (or woman, you really can't tell) — will no longer have to be concealed.

Ahlstrom predicted losing the private room would free up personnel and save money, and would also move the passenger line along faster.

The new technology, called Automated Target Recognition, is being implemented nationwide, but DIA is one of the first airports to get it.

Colorado Springs Airport will obtain the software in a few months, and airports

Ahlstrom said the new software cost $2.7 million to implement nationwide on 241 scanners.

He said the TSA is aware that passengers are concerned not only with privacy but with exposure to radiation.

The machines at DIA do not give off radiation, but there are still some backscatter X-ray scanners that do in other airports across the country.

Passengers may always request to have a patdown or alternative screening method instead of going through the machines if they are concerned about safety or if they have physical limitations, said DIA spokeswoman Carrie Harmon.

TSA always intended to use the more amorphous image on security screeners, but they were forced to roll out the old system early because of the failed bombing of a Northwest Airlines plane on Christmas Day 2009.

The would-be bomber had explosives sewn into his underwear.

"We haven't been attacked that way since Christmas Day," Ahlstrom said.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Looks like calling them "nude-o-scopes was correct after all.



Read more: Denver International Airport unveils more modest security screening - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_18628299?source=commented-#ixzz1Umg6HKEo

Tripps..........I totally disagree with you 90% of the time.I have found your comments and opinions to often be rude and childish and sometimes (not always)unfair to TSA workers who are trying hard to deal with the traveling public.


Why do you rehash old stuff over and over?.this is the system we have now.........as things get better, techo gets improvements we will have improvements like the new scanner images..............

This is not hard to understand!

AKK

 

[goofy4tink]

I have read, earlier this month, that the TSA is going to be installing these newer types of scanners at all airports.
There is no further need for discussion.