Whole body imaging takes another hit when pilot refuses, walks away
When I was going through the security line at O'Hare a few weeks ago, I noticed they had a whole body imaging machine set up. No one was going through it and I found out later that it's primarily being used as a secondary screening device. As I was going through the security line I asked one of the TSA agents if I could go through the whole body imaging machine. His response: "I've never heard of anyone request to go through it."
Well, little did he know I wasn't the average traveler when it comes to security. I put my feet in the yellow footprints painted on the floor, raised my arms and placed my hands behind my head and waited. It took about five seconds before the TSA guy said I was good to go. Anti-climactic, yes, but I was excited just the same.
But, as we all know, not everyone shares my enthusiasm. As a matter of fact, whole body imaging technology is making mainstream headlines again after an ExpressJet Airlines pilot refused to be screened by the machine. And, he refused a secondary screening in the form of a pat down and just walked away. Yep. Walked away. First of all, had I been a passenger on the plane that this man was scheduled to fly, I'd be pissed. Second of all, he's a pilot. Security is just part of the job description.
In an interview on Oct. 19, he said that security is indeed important, but there should be a better system in place to keep passengers safe - a system, he said, that does not violate a person's privacy or civil rights, according to this article.
Man, if the TSA can't get those who work for the airlines on board with this technology, they could be in real trouble with the rest of us. Well, not me, but everyone else.
Comments
Judging from some of the comments in the Memphis article cited above, individuals are reluctant because they do not know how the imaging works or the policy and procedures to protect passenger privacy. When you went through the scan, did they make you away of the privacy measures or did you have to ask? Maybe if there is a sign summarizing key points and an example of the image people may not fight it.
Not knowing this gentleman's story, I have to wonder if he had something to hide that normal metal detectors would not detect like drugs. He obviously can't fly under the influence so maybe it was easier to blame privacy issues than to risk getting caught. This incident may be a way to further prove why this machine is necessary. If other passengers wishing to do harm during the flight knew they had to go through this machine, perhaps they too will walk away.
"Advanced Imaging Technology" is a euphemism created to make people think they are getting "scanned." No one is getting "scanned" -- they are getting strip searched.
The fundamental privacy issue is whether our government has the right to make strip searches routine and mandatory.
There is no question that these machines violate the 4th Amendment.
There are also health issues. Researchers are already coming out saying that the machines aren't safe and could cause cancer. The flat ones (Rapiscan) use X-RAYS on Men, Women & Children, including pregnant women!
[...] I wonder if this change in procedure was spurred by the recent media attention given to the pilot who refused to go through the whole body imaging screening and then also refused to get patted...? [...]
The TSA has not done a very good job informing the flying public, on the how's and why's they intend to search passengers. A lot if misinformation is being spread on the internet, and by so called "Privacy experts" who have their own agenda.
Le't get back to the basics, if we all can agree on how on to proceed with TSA's lack of information. We can then move forward in a positive manor. Working together we can defeat terrorists, working alone we will not.
Thanks for the opportunity to express my opinion. Harry T. Rensel
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