Backlash grows against full-body scanners in airports

[DieselDragRacer]

The machines — dubbed by some fliers as virtual strip searches — were installed at many airports in March after a Christmas Day airline bombing attempt. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has spent more than $80 million for about 500 machines, including 133 now at airports. It plans to install about 1,000 by the end of next year.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-07-13-1Abodyscans13_ST_N.htm

 

[kf4amu]

I opted out the only time I was told to go through it. Got felt up by a TSA screener. I'm not sure who had it worse, me or the poor guy forced to feel up another guy...

 

[Captzaahlie]

I opted out the only time I was told to go through it. Got felt up by a TSA screener. I'm not sure who had it worse, me or the poor guy forced to feel up another guy...

Are you guys dating now? lol

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Flying on a commercial airline is not a right.

 

[say again]

Unfortunately, these are the times we live in now. Don't like it, don't fly. I'd rather an inconvenience then the alternative. I can't stand the flying public most times.

 

[SIG600]

Where is the line though? There has to be one. The public has tolerated the TSA's worthlessness, ineptitude, and invasion up until now... How would you like your 13 year old daughter going through with some high school dropout 55 year old perv running it?

The is just another knee jerk reaction, that will produce zero results.

Sorry but profiling is the only way to go. Sucks if you're and 18-45 year old muslim male, works out for the rest of us.

 

[Lynxman]

It keeps a female scanner to females and males to males.

 

[1st Rate]

I know... I have a good idea! Let's behavior profile and racial profile! Oh wait, I think I'll bring a knife to a gun fight!!

 

[Stukadriver]

So it's a high school dropout 55 year old lesbian perv. But I'm sure our trusted TSA professionals would never misuse their high-tech equipment in this manner.

 

[Flybywire44]

Definitely opt out of the scanners; http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/24331/

Everyone should make a point to opt out of the scanners. What's the next step? Eventually they will be mandatory when TSA feels that society is conditioned enough to tolerate the devices. Homeland security is going too far.

Our government is more concerned with controlling its own people when they should be securing our boarders. Homeland Security is an utter joke.

 

[Lynxman]

These machines are the reason while I'll prolly get hired by TSA within the next few months. Sure does beat the unemployment line.

 

[hockeypilot44]

I opted out once while traveling in civilian clothes on a bought ticket. When I told the agent I didn't want to go through, she asked, "why not?" I told her I had privacy and health concerns. She pointed at a picture where you could clearly see the penis and said, "That's what the person in the back sees." She then proceeded to tell me that I an exposed to more radiation in the air than in the machine. I replied I still didn't want to go through, and she starts over with "why not?" I then said, "Let me make this simple on you, I am not going through the machine. Do the alternate screening. This is not my first rodeo. I know the machine is optional." She made it obvious to me that she did not appreciate me not going through.

 

[Captain Morgan]

I opted out once while traveling in civilian clothes on a bought ticket. When I told the agent I didn't want to go through, she asked, "why not?" I told her I had privacy and health concerns. She pointed at a picture where you could clearly see the penis and said, "That's what the person in the back sees." She then proceeded to tell me that I an exposed to more radiation in the air than in the machine. I replied I still didn't want to go through, and she starts over with "why not?" I then said, "Let me make this simple on you, I am not going through the machine. Do the alternate screening. This is not my first rodeo. I know the machine is optional." She made it obvious to me that she did not appreciate me not going through.

You should have requested her personally to do your pat down. I agree I won't go through one of these. I don't care if it emits less radiation than flying. Even if it does, we spend a lot of time exposed in the air and around cancer causing products like jet fuel. We don't need to get another strike against us.

 

[The Prussian]

And...how comfortable are you in taking off your clothes in front of somebody?? Saw one of these machines operating in Omaha several weeks ago. Watched as several middle-aged ladies went thru the process...I don't think they had a clue what was going on! The two side posts obviously didn't didn't have a human being in them, as they were each about as big as half a port-o-potty, but through questioning, found out that the TSA "viewer" was in a viewing room well clear of the security area. Very innocuous in making you feel comfortable. (!!?!?!)

 

[Draginass]

I'd say that a lot of TSA agents are going to have permanent disabilities and mental problems later on from constantly viewing the 90% of Americans that are obese fat-ass butt-ugly pigs.