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I am surprised no one in the VIP Community has commented on the use of the Full Body Scan by the TSA. Many of you never seems to lack opinions on issues related to travel and the TSA.
So what has been your experience(s) with the new scanners? Has anyone opted out and had a different or more aggressive "pat down" experience as a result?
I refuse to go through the new scanners. I don't care if it is being viewed by a person I can't see - it is still a naked body search. TSA officers at the gate make a point of drawing as much unwanted attention to you while doing the alternate search, in an attempt to keep people from thinking of "opting out". My trip back from Vegas involved such a search. Their search was not properly done and would not have found something hidden on me anyway. I have seen the information on the new "increased" pat down searches to be started. My husband and I have discussed the issue (he won't go through the scanners either) and if anything is done to either of us we deam inappropriate in the search, we will stop it immediately, call for a supervisor, and file an assault report / IIS complaint. Does it mean we might not be able to get on the plane? Yes. But my right to privacy and dignity are not for sale.
Did my first one in Charlotte and actually was kind of pushed into it, which I didn't appreciate. At least in Charlotte, they didn't identify which line was for the scanner versus the regular check in. The line for the regular security check in was awfully long though and that alone should have clued me in. It was very quick and no one was being inappropriate or anything. I really do think that the people at the scanner were quite disconnected from the ones reading the scan, probably due to privacy concerns. I may have been desensitized though, since I was returning from Germany, where I had to go through 2 very thorough scans before I could board a plane to the US.
If I have ample time in the airport, I'll probably choose the regular way if given the choice. I'm usually running late, though, so unfortunately I foresee lots of the full body scans in my future.
Was traveling with an associate this past week and we ended up in the line for the FBS. My associate was ahead of me and went through the scanner without in difficulty. I followed and made it through as well. I did notice my associate was quietly chatting with one of the agents, who promptly rolled his eyes after she asked the question. As soon as we cleared the restricted area, of course, I immediately wanted to know what the conversation concerned.Quote:
Originally Posted by omegaet
She told me she asked the the agent if their scanner could tell whether she has saline or silicone!
Fantastic post! Thanks J.
I haven't seen the scanners in use yet through the airports that we fly. I guess it is something to consider how you would react before you are requested to go through one.
Anyone know which airports are using them in the US and abroad?
They are adding new ones all the time, so it is hard to know. In Vegas, everyone is lined up to go through the regular metal detector. They pick someone every few passengers to go through the enhanced naked scanner. That is the point you tell them that you want to "opt out" and take the pat down search. I just learned from the TSA site that you have the right to ask that the pat down is done in private by a person of the same sex.
Taking smaller alternative airports is one way, at least for now, to get around airports with these scanners. For anyone reading this that may not know what the issue is, here is a link to images that shows you what the TSA screener sees when you go through the TSA scanner (not the metal detector): http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...26tbs%3Disch:1 Others are also concerned about the repeated exposure to radiation - especially for those who have fly frequently (i.e. pilots and flight attendants).
What is frustrating is that the software exists to make these images flat non-generic pics, with anything hidden showing up as a highlighted area that needs to be checked further by the screeners. Here is an article on the new software developed by the body scanner companies to accomplish this: http://www.smartplanet.com/business/...l-images/9951/. Unfortunately, no one is purchasing it for use with the scanners at this time. Let's hope they make the change.
Shy ~
I sincerely hate the screening/security process. Whether by scanner or by pat down, which I really find offensive, there appears to be no real choice when flying into, out of and around the US.Quote:
Originally Posted by omegaet
Check out this story about a guy refusing the TSA full body scan.
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/articl...agent/19716789
Hilarious.
I saw that report this AM. Here is a link to the description of the incident written by the man involved:
http://johnnyedge.blogspot.com/2010/...y-between.html
Shy ~
Guess some other folks, even as far away as Germany, aren't pleased with body scan:Quote:
Originally Posted by jsattapr2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EqBc...layer_embedded