Full Body Scanners

[~Johnny~ 27]

I was actually disappointed when I went through LAX last time and they didn't do the body scan on me. She just waved me past it....and I said can I request being scanned.... she said no..it's random...... I think she just didn't want to see me naked....

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

For those voting yes.

I don't believe that these scanners significantly improve air travel security. They're mostly for show and to lull people into believing that they're safer on the flight. Judging from the responses in this thread, it seems to be working, too. That said, I wouldn't refuse a scan just because the aftermath of such refusal is one hassle I can do without. It's a shame, though, that it's come to this.

Still hoping that the public will lay off the "I don't have anything to hide" attitude once we have the first person trying to get the goods past security by shoving them up his crack. We'll see if people will subject themselves to cavity searches to feel safer flying.

[Leafgal 3]

I am fine with it

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I don't believe that these scanners significantly improve air travel security. They're mostly for show and to lull people into believing that they're safer on the flight. Judging from the responses in this thread, it seems to be working, too. That said, I wouldn't refuse a scan just because the aftermath of such refusal is one hassle I can do without. It's a shame, though, that it's come to this.

Still hoping that the public will lay off the "I don't have anything to hide" attitude once we have the first person trying to get the goods past security by shoving them up his crack. We'll see if people will subject themselves to cavity searches to feel safer flying.

Most won't try to answer this question and just blow it off.

The attitude always seems to be, "that will never happen"

Of course people have been saying that against every little intrusion we have to date now.... amusing really.

[Scott & Lai 12]

If you ain't willing to do that, stay out of my metal tube.

You definitely have a way with words

I don't believe that these scanners significantly improve air travel security. They're mostly for show and to lull people into believing that they're safer on the flight. Judging from the responses in this thread, it seems to be working, too. That said, I wouldn't refuse a scan just because the aftermath of such refusal is one hassle I can do without. It's a shame, though, that it's come to this.

Still hoping that the public will lay off the "I don't have anything to hide" attitude once we have the first person trying to get the goods past security by shoving them up his crack. We'll see if people will subject themselves to cavity searches to feel safer flying.

What security methods do you recommend?

[flipicaneze 20]

Better alternative to having me and my wife (who I know is hot!!) getting molested by the crooks in TSA. I would rather them check out my pee-pee then feel it up!

[thongd4me 69]

Two things:

I don't think they would haul out all that technology and make it "optional."

I said no, not because I get easily embarassed (not me), but because if

I could opt out I would avoid getting whatever potentially dangerous

radiation the scanner was offering up on that day. I don't mind the

invasion of privacy in the interest of security but if I could avoid getting

zapped I would prefer to take that route and comply fully with a conventional

search. I'm making this point also because I believe nobody else made it...

[DanielParul 50]

Yes, if it gives me the peace of mind that my family and I are on a safe plane.

[Pooky 3,781]

I'd fly El Al.

(If they went anywhere I wanted to go)

Edited May 23, 2010 by Pooky

[cherrylovekalbs 4]

It's true: Airport body scanners could give you cancer.

http://www.naturalnews.com/030079_airport_body_scanners_cancer.html

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

No problem with the body scanner, but the pat and grope looks like it might be fun.

It's true: Airport body scanners could give you cancer.

http://www.naturalnews.com/030079_airport_body_scanners_cancer.html

You have a better chance of getting cancer from smoking pot, I am just saying.

[Jadenjewel 9]

No to the scan ... no extra radiation for me

[TwoCats 55]

If it was a choice between a metal detector and a body scanner: I would chose the metal detector.

If it's a choice between the body scanner and a pat down: body scanner.

I'm not exactly comfortable with random strangers patting me down. I've flown twice through London, Heathrow since the 'underwear bomber' and gone through the increased security. Between having all my carry-on stuff searched, explosive tested, and then having to be felt up by some random person... yeah. I'd much rather get exposed to the body scanners.

[Kukolka 8]

I'll gladly choose the backscatter scan over a frisking because I have a phobia of being touched. I'm very aware of people nearby and go out of my way to avoid having my back to people. Expected touch is tolerable. Unexpected touch startles me severely and causes lasting pain from muscle tension that takes a long time to dissipate. Anticipation of touch that never materializes can cause the same. Firm touch is more tolerable than light touch. I don't know how firm or light the new improved TSA patdown is but if I don't have to find out firsthand, so much the better.

As for the embarrassment factor, I would personally feel much less embarrassed about the images, when there are similar images of everyone else who goes through it, than the potential embarrassment of having a panic attack, or even "only" convulsing or screaming, causing a scene. Not to mention likely being considered "suspicious" for having anxiety in whatever form.

Edited December 18, 2010 by Kukolka

[EminTX 131]

I am a radiation worker by education and profession. The only concern I had about it was the potential damage to the eyes--a very radiosensitive part of the body. When I was scanned, I simple looked up with my entire fact so that any scatter would hopefully be filtered through my chin and forehead before hitting my eyes. My paranoia about my eyes is because of the prevalence of cataracts in my family. If no one had them, I wouldn't care at all.

The reality of life is that we are constantly surrounded by radiation and repeated studies have shown that the absence of or complete shielding from it is detrimental so...

I hopped right in when I was told to go through one.

My concern about that experience is that I forgot to remove my cell phone when I was all-but-disrobing before entering. Not a thing was said about it. Is this because they see that so often that they don't care or is it because that day, at least, the scanner was just for show? Was it a cell phone tucked in to my hiding spot or was it a bomb. Or are my boobs just so incredibly hot that a cell phone was invisible because it was tucked into my bra?

BTW--Radiation dosing is cumulative. This means that you have a dose/exposure and you never undo it. The next dose adds to it. The next one, too. There is an amount that is okay to have over a lifetime that would not be cool to experience in one fell swoop.

Once when I had a chest x-ray, I left my (measuring) badge on--the dose for that was 123mR. Later, when I flew from Houston to Tampa Bay, I left my badge on out of curiosity. The reading for that month was nada. (Going to the beach for the weekend doses you, too.)