New security machine sees everything..

[skydiverdriver]

... AND IS THAT A PEN IN YOUR POCKET OR..?
Special procedures may take on new meaning at Orlando International now
that it has been chosen as the test-base for the new Rapiscan Secure
1000 and other security devices. The machine uses low-energy X-rays to
see through your clothes, leaving only your body's outline ... every
last inch. We're not entirely sure of the clarity of the image, but the
Associated Press reports that officials have mandated that, among other
things, the machine only be operated by an individual of the same sex as
that of its subject. But there's more -- the Barringer Ionscan 400B is
also on hand at Orlando to sniff passengers for traces of 40 types of
explosives ... or 60 types of drug residue (screener's choice). Invasive
or safe, at least you won't be asked to turn your head and cough ... yet.


..............
Okay, is this enough for everyone to agree that this security screening mess is getting out of hand? First the democrats had to make them federal employees, which makes them more powerful and impossible to fire, but now we have to have them seeing us nearly naked? What if the screener is my sex, but he's gay? I'm sorry, this is an unreasonable search, especially when I have to go through it to get to work...

We need to stop this madness. I can't believe that passengers will go for it either. I'm sure my congressman will find a way around it, when he or she goes on a commercial flight.

 

[Ted Striker]

What?

What if the screener is my sex, but he's gay?

What the ?? I guess you think highly enough of yourself that he would be checking out your "packages"?

I am all for it. What I am also all for is a universal ID badge for crew that utlilizes some of the biometrics that keep being discussed. As far as I am concerned, we shouldn't even be going through security, as long as those measures are in place. Secure portals, only accessed with your fingerprints or a retinal scan. Let everyone else be dressed down, I don't trust half of the people I see in an airport!!

 

[Bluestreak]

Hey,Ted,are you "all for" finding another job when 99% of your pax decide enough is enough ? I'd like to see your plan for selling them on a daily dose of x-rays."Everyone else" pays your salary and they DO care.

 

[Ted Striker]

Yeah, we better shut all the airports down. Greyhound and Amtrak are such more reliable alternatives. OK, would you (as a passenger), rather be stripsearched (not figuratively) or go through an x-ray machine? As far as a daily dose, I think there are very few people that fly on a daily basis, other than crew. As far as crew, see my above post. What is the alternative? What we have going now sucks. How many times since 9/11 have they found the machines unplugged? How many times has someone gotten through with a knife, even a gun?

 

[Ted Striker]

My post about not trusting "everyone else" was meant in a sarcastic way.

 

[ifly4food]

Okay, is this enough for everyone to agree that this security screening mess is getting out of hand? First the democrats had to make them federal employees, which makes them more powerful and impossible to fire, but now we have to have them seeing us nearly naked? What if the screener is my sex, but he's gay? I'm sorry, this is an unreasonable search, especially when I have to go through it to get to work...

We need to stop this madness. I can't believe that passengers will go for it either. I'm sure my congressman will find a way around it, when he or she goes on a commercial flight.

OMG, we actually agree on something, SDD!

We need to stop this madness. I have gotten used to the stuff we have now, but this new system is too much. A deffinite invasion in privacy IMO.

Also, what of the effect of those "low dose xrays" on those of us who pass through security more than the average person who travels once a week or less? What about those who have medical conditions or crewmembers with pregnancy?

I don't see this catching on. I hope not.

 

[shaft]

I'm sorta curious about what the long term effects are of going through those xrays a few times a day are also. Can't be good.

 

[AWACoff]

Hey guys,
not to burst your bubble but the limited amount of X-rays those machines deliver to us are nothing compared to the amount of rads we soak up during flight. There is some report that shows the lifetime amount of rads an individual soaks up (ie nuke plant worker, pilot, xray tech, coal miner). Don't forget your sunblock!!

 

[jaybird]

We need that scanner they used in Total Recall .

 

[aero99]

IFF Quote :

"OMG, we actually agree on something, SDD! "

WOW! Did hell just freeze...?





"We need to stop this madness. I have gotten used to the stuff we have now, but this new system is too much. A deffinite invasion in privacy IMO. "

How is this an invasion of privacy in your opinion? It is an xray machine, not xray nudity glasses. Ever seen an xray of the hips and pelvic area? All you see is bone. Unless, your full of die so they can see other areas. Everyone has been screaming about new security measures that need to take place and now no one wants them or they are not politically correct.






"Also, what of the effect of those "low dose xrays" on those of us who pass through security more than the average person who travels once a week or less? What about those who have medical conditions or crewmembers with pregnancy? "

I would rase this question myself, but I think we half way have to trust that someone has already done testing to see if they are dangerous. I'm not one for sitting back and just believing they are safe or just believing the govnm't, but I'm sure there is documentation to show that the rad levels are acceptable. Lets not get too freaked out about this "new technology" just because it is new in this capacity.





"I don't see this catching on. I hope not."

I don't think it matters if it "catches on". Did metal detectors ever "catch on"? NO. It was just policy.


Would you rather be xray'd or hijacked?





Come on IFly, you usually have more of a solution to a problem than just complaining about a system.

 

[Timebuilder]

One solution, already mentioned here, is to search those who constitute a reasonable threat. Pilots, seven year olds, aging white haired ladies, and US Senators with steel hips are obviously not our problem passengers.

We need to be willing to focus our efforts in areas that will make sense, and x-raying the passengers will only reduce load factors.

This is madness.

 

[aero99]

Hmmm...Well I will recant my previous statement about the xray not being nudity glasses.....this is more disgusting than anything.
I would bet who ever uses this see a decrease in their own sexually activity from looking at the majority of the general public all day.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TRAVEL/NEWS/03/18/rec.airport.xray/index.html

 

[jaybird]

Those bastards, they told me they weren't going to use that picture. I told them it made me look fat. What do you guys think?

 

[Timebuilder]

Jay, I think both you and I are on that Haagen-Dasz diet!

I wouldn't want to be the guy who has to look at those images all day long...

 

[shaft]

Here's a little light reading for those interested in the effects of our friend the "x-ray".
http://www.ratical.org/radiation/REHW691.html#fn1

 

[shaft]

Here's a picture of how cute you will look going through security with a nice six-shooter tucked in your back and pound of narcotic tucked in the bread-basket.
http://www.rapiscan.com/images/Secure_f.jpg
What do you guys think? Ditch the drugs and the arsenal, and then hit the local Jenny Craig? That's what I thought. Oh no wait a second... you now have cancer so who cares about how fat we look??? I'm still undecided on this topic.

 

[I.P. Freley]

Low-Level Radiation

I don't object to the scanners on principle, but I do object to the idea of being subjected to "harmless low-level radiation" on a daily basis. I don't buy the "harmless" part... And this says nothing of the effects on the SCREENERS. Beware radiation, any amount of it...

 

[jaybird]

Husband: Honey does this gun make me look fat?

Wife: It's not the gun that makes you look fat. It's the fat that makes you look fat.


Alright, I'm not gonna pick on this guy anymore.

 

[ifly4food]

IFF Quote :
"We need to stop this madness. I have gotten used to the stuff we have now, but this new system is too much. A deffinite invasion in privacy IMO. "

How is this an invasion of privacy in your opinion? It is an xray machine, not xray nudity glasses. Ever seen an xray of the hips and pelvic area? All you see is bone. Unless, your full of die so they can see other areas. Everyone has been screaming about new security measures that need to take place and now no one wants them or they are not politically correct.

Now that you've seen the pix, I'll let you take that back.

"Also, what of the effect of those "low dose xrays" on those of us who pass through security more than the average person who travels once a week or less? What about those who have medical conditions or crewmembers with pregnancy? "

I would rase this question myself, but I think we half way have to trust that someone has already done testing to see if they are dangerous. I'm not one for sitting back and just believing they are safe or just believing the govnm't, but I'm sure there is documentation to show that the rad levels are acceptable. Lets not get too freaked out about this "new technology" just because it is new in this capacity.

I don't trust the "We're here to help you" FAA to be looking out for my safety any more now than I did before 9/11. Especially when it goes out of their area of expertise. They couldn't care less about the long term effect of additional xrays on crews. That's not their job. They just want one more security level.

"I don't see this catching on. I hope not."

I don't think it matters if it "catches on". Did metal detectors ever "catch on"? NO. It was just policy.

By "catching on" I meant widespread implementation. I hope it is never implemented in its present form. It IS an invasion of privacy.

Would you rather be xray'd or hijacked?

Let's see. To hijack me they'd have to get a weapon through the current metal detectors and "random" searches. Then they'd have to get through the reinforced cockpit door. That's assuming someone even wanted to.
They've done the "airplane thing". Terrorism is all about fear and surprise. It wouldn't have the same effect twice so they will try something else.

Come on IFly, you usually have more of a solution to a problem than just complaining about a system.

Solution: Accurate profiling (not blanket profiling like the present) and computer databases to weed out suspects. "Face identification" technology currently available to the FBI installed at checkpoints. Competent screeners, not the same Argenbrights working for the government. "Smart Card" universal identification systems for crew members. Need I go on?

There is nothing wrong with the present metal detection and bag xray systems. They just need to be used more effectively.
Unfortunately, fear from 9/11 is being used to force in a new system that will take away even more of our privacy and dignity. The crews will be most affected because unlike the passengers, we have no choice but to fly.

We as Americans need to stop basking in fear and isolationism from 9/11. We need to stand up for our rights. It is a classic situation for a nation as a whole to come under martial law when the people cry out to be "secured" by the government. The only way to be 100% secure is to have no rights of privacy.

Yes, I would rather take a minimal risk of being hijacked than give up these rights.

 

[Tim47SIP]

Anyone thought abought one of the real problems concerning smuggling weapons on to aircraft? Inside help! Ya, the same way the hijackers got their box cutters. Someone planted them on the aircraft prior to departure. Hence, the reason the crew has to do security checks! So how are all of these new machines going to stop would be hijackers when none of the rampers, cleaners, or food personnel are not required to go through them?
Additionally, the low dose radiation used in these machines is less that the amount of radiation you would get from going outside in the sun for a couple of mins, but I understand the point. Personally, I could care less as I have nothing to hide but I dont think the machines will fix the problems.