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s/o airport security
Okay...so I'm flying to Ohio tomorrow, and SeaTac does have those new full body scanners in place. I have to admit that I'm really not feeling comfortable about this.
I don't love the idea of going through the scanners, now that I've seen the images that the TSA people will see...but I'll do it if I have to. My issue is really with the new pat-down procedures, which are reportedly very invasive. I'm sorry....but I don't want some random stranger touching my private areas, even if it is in the name of security. If I go through the scanner, they could still decide that I would need a "patdown" if they claim to see something suspicious.
And what about a pregnant woman? The new scanners aren't safe for them, so they have no choice but to get the patdown.
I know we just discussed this the other day....but after really thinking about it and realizing that I have to deal with this tomorrow, I'm a little freaked out.
Oh...and another thought. If someone actually plans to terrorize a plane, wouldn't they just make sure their initial flight leaves an airport that isn't using these scanners yet? The full list of airports with these scanners is on the TSA website.
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Re: s/o airport security
I do think that people that want to do harm will find a way around all this.
I don't know about someone touching me and the scans. I know that it is for security and I rather be safe then sorry and I will do what I need to do, but it does make me a little uncomfortable.
I am sure TSA employees don't look forward to it, but I still don't want them touching me all over. From what I understand it is not like the regular pat downs where they just pat your legs and maybe around your belly, that this is a full pat down. I know it is women doing women and men doing men, but still. G would have issues with a man doing it.
I have to fly in January and I am sure LAX has them, not sure about where I am at.
I just don't know Carrie. I'm sure I am thinking way too much into all of this and I want to be safe and I guess this is the only way to do it. I'll do what I have to do though.
I heard something on the news about refusing to go through the scanners- you get a fine or something (I dont remember). Anyway, its not something you can opt out of.
I hope your experience isnt too bad (Im sorry for freaking you out with the post I did about them). Hope you have a nice trip!
According to the TSA website, you can opt out of the scanners...but then you have to do the patdown instead.
And don't worry...it wasn't just your post that freaked me out. I've heard plenty of other stories since you told us that.
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"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
I hope your experience isn't too bad.
I personally have major issues with the whole thing. Yes, I understand that it is for security purposes, but I think there are much better ways to go about it.
First of all, even if TSA employees are required to go through an in depth screening process before being hired, there are still a bunch of creepers out there (look at cops, for example). The images retrieved from the scanners are permanently downloaded to a hardrive, so I could just see some creepy employee on their break sorting through the images and getting a thrill out of it. Obviously that's a far stretch, but still, I just don't like the idea of those images being there for people to see.
Second, those scanners, and most certainly a pat down, are not going to stop terrorists from ingesting explosive materials, whether it be powders, liquids, etc. They could put them in a little baggy, swallow them, then go to the bathroom on the plane and fish it out of the toilet to then go blow up the plane.
Third, why not do background checks on people getting on planes? That's what they do in Israel, and the system has worked really well for a long time. When flying or booking your ticket, you would have to provide your SSN so they could perform a complete background check. If something suspicious pops up (like you are on the terrorist watch list, using a fake SSN, etc), then they can require you to go through a scanner or get a pat down, but at that point, they would have reasonable cause to search you.
I dunno, those are just my thoughts. I don't disagree that we need better screening at airports, and I don't completely disagree with these scanners, I just feel that there are better options to explore at this point, and if someone wants to hijack/blow up a plane, they're going to find a way to do it, period.
Whew... so sorry for that rant
I did the body scan when we flew to Munich a couple months ago. It honestly doesn't bother me at all. Maybe I'm just more immune to it from being a scientist and having done some medical stuff that taught me to leave my modesty at the door. A human body is a human body is a human body. If some creep wants to get his jollies from pictures and security photos/videos, he will whether you do the scan, patdown, or just sit at an angle that unbeknownst to you makes the camera on the ceiling have a perfect angle looking down your shirt. If it is more effective than a metal detector at finding potential weapons or unauthorized devices, I'm all for it.
Bonus: I don't remember having to take off my shoes! Honestly, the dirt and germs on the floor from all those people's feet scares me MUCH MORE than a body scan or pat down!! Ugh, gives me the willies just thinking about it!