Wednesday, November 24, 2010 is NATIONAL OPT-OUT DAY!

[amirm]

What do you think? I travel a lot and fund the entire security procedures a source of high stress on top of flying itself. Having read about the X-ray radiation, I have been opting out of whole body scanners and as such, been subjected to the pat down. I don't find that too offensive but they take forever to get it down, meanwhile your stuff is sitting on the belt, your laptop exposed, etc.

http://www.optoutday.com/

 

[RBFC]

Several years ago, I was at DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) airport, flying out with my baby son. The TSA representative had me hold him at arms' length while she wanded both him and me. She then grabbed the buckle of my belt, pulled the front of my pants away from my body, and proceeded to stick the wand down the front of my pants. (There was no mandate to remove belts at that time, and my buckle likely gave a positive wand signal. She was "probably" confirming that it was the buckle and not the knife behind it causing the signal.) My parents, watching from the other side of the barrier, stood shocked. I told them later that apparently her job must have been boring that day and she won a bet with her coworkers!

True story.

Lee

 

[ack]

No way, X-Ray!

 

[vinylphilemag]

I seem to be in the minority on this one, because I believe that the body scanners are one of the few "security measures" that airline travellers (especially to/within the US) are forced to endure that's actually worthwhile. I mean, taking off one's shoes, and that crap about gels and liquids? Gimme a break!

 

[ack]

There is no research conducted on the long term effects of these scanners, or such damning research has not been made public. And unlike the govt's claim that the machines cannot store pictures, there was a piece the other day (on ABCnews I believe) where an advocacy group had pulled the specs of the machines and they are indeed capable of storing and transmitting images, so they are filing a suit... Et voila.

 

[audioguy]

I like the idea someone presented of having all passengers step into a sealed booth that would have the ability to detonate any explosives or fire any weapons!!

Problem solved

 

[garylkoh]

With this sort of clarity, I need to hit the gym before my next trip!

Warning: Do not click if you are offended by female nudity:
http://www.infowars.com/inverted-body-scanner-image-shows-naked-body-in-full-living-color/

 

[amirm]

Wonder how long is the line of people at TSA signing up to sit in the viewing booth!

Here is a solution. Let's stick a camera on the operator, and have that view be shown in the open screening area! This would teach them some of the pain we go through as we are getting scanned and keep them from taking pictures and such....