Opinions on TSA full body scanners?

eastunder1

What does everyone think about these?  

For those under rocks:  TSA is rolling out new security scanners that you step into and it basically xrays through your clothes putting you naked onto a screen, so they can see if you are carrying anything banned or dangerous.   They are already in most major airports and are expected to be in all of them by the end of 2012.   The images project to a different location, so the people seeing you naked aren't actually the ones right in front of you.  Plus, the government says it does not store the images (which appears to actually not be true according to some reports)

The upside is that it does provide a useful tool for TSA and eliminates the need to touching searches like frisks.  The downside?  A slew of privacy issues and person rights arguments.  Plus, some health concerns about the radiation used. 

What says we about this? 

anna.oskar

i'm torn.  While I'm all for any precaution that can save lives and prevent dangerous items from boarding a plane, I am not a fan of these so nicknamed "strip search scanners"

I suppose I need to research a bit more though.  Is the image like the x-ray where there is just a shadow of your body or is it an image that could be likened to actually seeing me naked?  I'm not overly educated on it since I usually travel by plane with a wheelchair in tow.  They usually pat me down and wand me.

EDIT: This is a post-and-run but I'm eager to hear replies

eastunder1

My personal opinion?  I think all the hoops we jump through at security are more for passenger peace of mind then they are actually preventing any sort of catastrophe.  I think if people truly want to blow up an airplane, they are going to find a wy to do it and the cracksquad running TSA are an afterthought in relation.   SO... the usual rigamarole, take off your shoes unzip your laptop routine, I have no problem putting up with because it makes everyone feel better.  Invading my constitutional right to privacy to maintain this charade?  Not ok at all.   Its simply too far.  

tidetravel

Here are example images of the scanners.

http://blog.tsa.gov/2008/05/you-asked-for-ityou-got-it-millimeter.html

marissa_claire

Yeah, they actually showed what an image looks like from the scanner and it's not that nekkid.  I'm not that bother by it.  They already had them last time I flew through Milwaukee but they weren't using them yet.  

allisong23

Ehh, I don't think it si a big deal. I prefer not to be blown up, so this is much better.

This is the screener sees:

maratea

Well, if they want to see my fat ass naked, ok then. I wouldn't normally wish this upon anyone except H, but if they want it, they get it. *shimmies out of thread*

ccdaisy

I suppose it doesn't bother me, although I understand why it does some people. I'm personally fine with anything that speeds up the insane process of trying to board a flight nowadays. 

betrothed123

I'm not a fan of the idea.  I don't really care how fuzzy the image is.  I do have to do some more research here, though.  I'm not very well informed about it.

AdeleDazeem

I'm with East and Tide.

JenGin74

Tide and Allisong - seeing those images didn't help. I may never fly again 

ehathewa

I don't mind it at all.  I'd rather have someone in a room that cannot see me look at the scan than someone grope me (Grope? Oh yes, the good pat-downs involve pulling out the bra and having a finger go under the underwire and now this: http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2010/10/for-the-first-time-the-tsa-meets-resistance/65390/ )

aplatanada

I went through one the last time I flew. I didn't mind so much. It certainly took quicker than the usual metal detectors.

I work somewhat frequently with an airport, and the TSA did a presentation on the scanners and the who/what/why of it.

The person looking at the scan is in a location not near the scanning area, so they are unable to identify the person being scanned. The images are only temporary and then erased. No storage. It seemed to me that they went into great effort to respect people's privacy and safety.

In the presentation I went to, there were women who asked about the frisking.  The frisking is done by a same-sex agent in a private area, and the person being frisked can request to have a friend/family member present.

pixiedust84

I've used these in several airports. The privacy thing doesn't really bother me because you don't really think about it when you're in there. Plus I doubt the person looking at the image is really paying attention to the body as much as they are paying attention to whether or not you have weapons. The radiation thing skeeves me out a bit though.

I think as long as they're going this far they might as well push it further and give everyone a full body MRI in the process... that way you get a flight and a full cancer screening! Wahoo! :-)

zippityb

Too bad they don't have those awesome full body x-ray machines like on Total Recall. I wouldn't be opposed to those.

BecW2be

I don't really have an issue with it. I'd be tempted to put fake nipples on my butt cheeks or something that would show up just to liven the screener's day, but it doesn't look like they'd show up. Or, they'd show up as something suspect and then I'd have to explain why I stuck rubber nipples on my ass.

I had to travel right after 9-11 with a cast on my arm. That gets you ALL SORTS of fun pat downs, bomb powder residue scans, etc. I'll take a walk-through nekkid scan any day.

staceytaylor0704

Those images kinda skeeve me out, but I don't really have an issue with it. I mean, its not like a nude full color photo or anything.

aprovencher21

I don't care about the photo being projected.  To me, its not that bad, and much better then constantly being pulled to get a full body pat down (or boob squeezing session).  Its not like you can tell who it really is in the photo and many swim suits I've worn (in the past) have been more revealing.  I do think this will make airport security move along better and will make flying safer.  I'll wait to see studies on the radiation aspect.  I haven't had much time to research that yet.

pirategal03

I got pulled out for a random pat-down when we were going through security on the way back from Hawaii.  I say random because there wasn't any obvious reason why they chose me, I didn't set off the metal detector or refuse to remove my shoes or anything like that.  It was pretty uncomfortable, even though they didn't do any under-bra checking and a polite lady did it, It still made me feel all weird after.  I'd rather just walk through one of these scanners than have some stranger touch me. 

hetshup

H and I both had the option of going through one of those on our way back from the honeymoon. He is a pilot and the general consensus of the pilots is to not go through them. Who knows what the radiation will do long term. But we both got a pat down. They use the palm of the hand instead of the back, and my legs were gripped quite close to my cooch. And they run their hands inside on the inside of your pants. All in all it was pretty intrusive, but better than going though the scanner. 

leayn

I wonder what it really looks like....I'd be ok with some sort of x-ray image/outline of my nakedness, but not a full color image like I'm standing right there with no clothes on image.

sister2groom

I don't fly enough to be worried about radiation. It also doesn't worry me since we have a choice. However, I do think they need to have strict, HIPPA-reminscent guidelines for those viewers (speaking of which, how much would that job suck?) to make sure they don't take cell-phone pics or something, even if they wouldn't be identifiable.

PharmacyBride

I went through the scanner at O'hare Airport last week.  Instead of focusing on the idea of people seeing me .. all I could think about was how safe/secure I felt that it was that much harder for someone to sneak something on to my plane!

Keep in mind... I have mentioned in previous posts that I am a nudist.. not because my body is all that great to look at... but I am very comfortable in my own skin.  (It actually started cuz I have a fainting disorder and overheat easily- combine that with living alone with the blinds down- and you got the formula to develop a nudist!)

Also, as awkward as it is.. doctors/nurses/etc see nudity all the time to do their job.  I know the guys at the scanner don't enjoy seeing all these images.. (at least until it is time for the Dallas cheerleaders to board a plane! lol)  and they aren''t on display anywhere.. so I say it is one more awkward moment in life that only lasts 10 seconds.