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Entry bubble New TSA Screening Machines

By: Colleen | May 27, 2009 | Category: Travel

In a measly eight days I will be headed to glorious Las Vegas. My only other prior experience in Vegas was when I was 14, so I sense this trip will be somewhat different than the time I tagged along when my Dad attended a conference.

I plan on leaving my camera behind, to avoid the possibility of any remotely inappropriate photographs surfacing while I enjoy the splendors of Sin City.

However, one picture could be taken of me of which I have no control. In nineteen different airports around the country, new whole-body imaging machines are being used to detect both metallic and non-metallic threats on passengers.

In some airports these machines are the primary source of security. In others, passengers can opt to use them instead of a body pat-down from a TSA security officer.

The machine produces a robotic image, which some people find to be invasive, and bordering on the feeling of being naked- somewhat of a "virtual strip search."

To me, the pictures seem closer to that of a x-ray than anything I'd consider invasive or offensive. What do you think? Would you prefer the scanner over a physical pat-down?

The TSA blog is discussing this issue as well.

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: airport_security   colleen   travel   tsa   whole_body_imaging_machine  

Comments (5):

blue comment bubble Posted by Guru on May 27, 2009 at 09:50 AM EDT

It is a shame that the Home of the Brave, is now the Home of the Scared.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Faye on May 27, 2009 at 01:13 PM EDT

Homeland Security has too much power. I am opposed to any type of whole-body imaging machines. I have a replaced knee so I always set off the alarm.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Wilson on May 27, 2009 at 04:43 PM EDT

THIS IS MY PACEMAKER THAT WE ARE TAKING ABOUT. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I WILL GET INTO ONE OF THOSE MACHINES. DO THEY HAVE A CARDIOLOGIST ON HAND?
WHAT MAKES ANYONE THINK THAT A MACHINE IS OKAY FOR ONE AND SO ALL OTHERS MUST FOLLOW SUIT.
NOT ME, I UNFORTUNATELY WILL TAKE THE HAND PAT, AND LORD HELP THE PERSON THAT MAKES THE WRONG MOVE, I HAVE WATCHED THE VIDEO, AND THEY ARE JUST A LITTLE INVASIVE FOR ME. AND IF THEY PUSH ON MY PACEMAKER, THEY BETTER NOT SET IT OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!

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blue comment bubble Posted by A Nonny Mouse on May 28, 2009 at 01:57 PM EDT

As a wheelchair user who is always required to go through a physical pat-down at the airport, I'd take getting scanned by a machine over the pat-down any day. I'd much rather just roll through some type of scanner than have some strange person touch me. Sure, screeners are professionals and all, but I still feel my personal space is violated every time. I could care less about the image that is generated by this machine-- I can't see how it's "personal" at all.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Dr.Jay on June 05, 2009 at 03:55 AM EDT

Nice post, thanks for sharing.

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