'Naked' scanners removed, air travelers get back a little dignity...

[cstone]

The Rapiscan machine using backscatter x-ray technology was never found to be harmful. The machines were removed because the company could not meet the deadline to produce non-detailed body images. The L3 machines using millimeter wave technology have had the "gingerbread man" type images for some time and therefore those machines were chosen to continue and to replace the existing x-ray machines. This decision had more to do with the public reaction to the images they produced. TSA chose the image with less detail rather than more detail.

Both technologies, backscatter x-ray and millimeter wave have been used for over a decade on millions of people. There is not a single documented case of damage to a human being caused by either technology. Every passenger who spends more than one hour at 35,000 feet will be exposed to much more radiation than passing through one of these machines.

If the government promised not to spend the money on something else equally stupid, I would be whole heartedly in favor of disbanding the TSA. Since that is not possible, then what the money is wasted on becomes much less important to me, since our government seem intent to waste the money on something.

Be safe.

[BushMasterBoy]

Yeah take the machines to Iraq and Afghanistan and search the locals going into our military installations with suicide vests and personal IED's. $40 million worth of xray machines oughta go to good use...

[wreave]

Can I still get a Freedom Grope?

[joedelt]

The Rapiscan machine using backscatter x-ray technology was never found to be harmful. The machines were removed because the company could not meet the deadline to produce non-detailed body images. The L3 machines using millimeter wave technology have had the "gingerbread man" type images for some time and therefore those machines were chosen to continue and to replace the existing x-ray machines. This decision had more to do with the public reaction to the images they produced. TSA chose the image with less detail rather than more detail.

Both technologies, backscatter x-ray and millimeter wave have been used for over a decade on millions of people. There is not a single documented case of damage to a human being caused by either technology. Every passenger who spends more than one hour at 35,000 feet will be exposed to much more radiation than passing through one of these machines.

If the government promised not to spend the money on something else equally stupid, I would be whole heartedly in favor of disbanding the TSA. Since that is not possible, then what the money is wasted on becomes much less important to me, since our government seem intent to waste the money on something.

Be safe.

And yet neither air crews nor infants went through the backscatter machines. Going through screenings almost 200 times a year I took a pass every time on those machines.

[Jer]

And yet neither air crews nor infants went through the backscatter machines. Going through screenings almost 200 times a year I took a pass every time on those machines.

Exactly. Perfectly safe.

[Drilldov2.0]

Last time I flew, I had to go through one. I asked the TSA agent where was my dollar in the waist band? She laughed and said I needed to dance for it. I did and got 17 hits on the scan. Needless to say, I got scanned again. Never did get my dollar.

[merl]

Yeah take the machines to Iraq and Afghanistan and search the locals going into our military installations with suicide vests and personal IED's. $40 million worth of xray machines oughta go to good use...

they may well get sold off surplus for such uses. After they get shipped to all the tiny airports across the country.

Much more likely that they get sold off surplus to guard the entrance to your local theater.

Both technologies, backscatter x-ray and millimeter wave have been used for over a decade on millions of people. There is not a single documented case of damage to a human being caused by either technology. Every passenger who spends more than one hour at 35,000 feet will be exposed to much more radiation than passing through one of these machines.

yep, guaranteed more radiation at flight level. Proving anything, we're dealing in probabilities, low ones at that. not a big deal ther as long as the machines are calibrated.

This is a 'how much shit will the public tolerate' issue more than anything. TSA is trying to calm some of the hatred directed at them with this step.

[n8tive97]

What? You mean I won't get any more looks of amazement after they check out my luggage?

[cstone]

The backscatter x-ray machines will likely end up in courthouses, correctional institutions, and local jails. They will probably be provided as a federal grant to jurisdictions that couldn't otherwise afford the machines.

Having done the nasty deed of crotch searching arrestees before they were provided with nifty slippers, jumpsuits, their colored water and gray bologna sammiches, I would be most happy to allow the machine to electronically probe their most intimate regions for contraband rather than have to do it myself. But I guess there are some who prefer a more personal touch.

Be safe.

[THe Yetti]

I think asbestos was used for well longer than a decade before they figured out it wasn't good for you either.