TSA new "naked" airport scanners, anybody been through them?

[raptor]

I was in Israel a couple of times a few years back, you'd think Ben Gurion would be the security hell hole of the world... But no, they've gone with the "professional people" over "professional machines" approach. You get talked to allot while being stared in the eye when you present passport and tickets. By people obviously skilled at making you a bit nervous.

Granted it's not LAX size from what I remember but I think there is a lesson in there somewhere anyway. I'm sure as heck not taking a vacation in the states w. my wife and kids if theres a chance at being radiated and felt up on the way, by someone other than my wife anyway.

I have flown El Al and those guys know how to effectively screen people. The only problem was that I was required to show up at the ticket counter 3 hours in advance.

I think the answer lies in a "Trusted Traveller" program. This would get most of the frequent fliers out of the long slow line and at the same time reduce the number of people in the long slow line and speed it up a lot. Certainly pilots should be subject to security checks but they should not be subjected to the same types of security checks as passengers.

Pilots IMO should be checked for identity and authority to board the aircraft as well as some sort of quick fitness and alertness once over. This last check is to ensure they are not too fatigued, chemically impaired and otherwise capable of flying.

[Zoltan]

I love this new law (to me, don't know how long it's been around) that completely ignores the 4th Amendment whenever you fly into the US. WTF is that about??!!!!

[Dogan]

Pilots IMO should be checked for identity and authority to board the aircraft as well as some sort of quick fitness and alertness once over. This last check is to ensure they are not too fatigued, chemically impaired and otherwise capable of flying.

In other words, make sure their not drunk or stoned outta their gourd?

[Finch]

TSA just broke in to my house fondled my dog and ran away

[velojym]

I don't care who you are having your scrotum diddled should always make you feel safe.

Aw, snap.

[Chef]

they change gloves per osa regs

OSHA rules are to protect the worker. I strongly suspect the requirement that TSA workers wear gloves is to protect the TSA, not the passenger.

How often should gloves be changed?

OSHA does not have any all-encompassing guidelines governing when gloves should be changed. Users in healthcare settings, or other environments exposed to bloodborne pathogens are required to change disposable gloves when:

1. The glove is penetrated by blood or other potentially infectious materials
2. When contaminated or as soon as feasible if they are torn, punctured, or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised, and
3. Prior to leaving the work area

OSHA does not require that gloves be changed between patients if they are not contaminated and their barrier properties are not compromised. This practice is however recommended to prevent patient-to-patient transmission of disease.

I don't expect a security guard with eight hours of training to be able to tell-- through a pair of gloves, no less-- whether they've just been feeling around on a person with MRSA, or venereal disease, or lice, or whatever, especially in a high-volume "on to the next one" type setting like an airport screening line.

If were to be subject to the enhanced patdown dance (which I won't, since I refuse to pay good money to participate in a nationwide re-enactment of the Stanford Prison Experiment), I would follow prepper7's example and politely but firmly ask any functionaries fiddling with my person or my stuff to put on fresh gloves, out of a box and not their pocket, and do it where I can see it. As a food handler, I am required by law to do this any time I touch food going onto a plate. It's the very least we can ask from people empowered to finger our genitalia.

[Kelvar]

I think the answer lies in a "Trusted Traveller" program. This would get most of the frequent fliers out of the long slow line and at the same time reduce the number of people in the long slow line and speed it up a lot.

That's sort of what I was suggesting. They can do a background check on me, interview me and anyone who has ever known me, and hopefully figure out that I'm an honest, peace loving, law abiding American who doesn't need to have his package handled just for the dubious privilege of getting on a plane.

[Blacksmith]

Once, I was made to walk back to my car to drop off my NRA "silver bullet" keyring, which nobody with half a brain would have mistaken for a real cartridge. When I got back home, and unpacked my carry-on bag, I found that a box of .22lr had come open at some point (I'm bad about re-tasking bags) and the bottom of the bag, under my towel, was littered with live ammo.

About three years ago I was flying commercial. I had been shooting .22s with my boys a couple of days before. Normally to control ammo flow I dump the box in my jacket pocket and dish out to them when they need it. Sure enough when I got off the plane and was looking for my cars keys I reached in and felt about 20-30 live rounds inside the pocket. I had just gone through 2 checkpoint in three days with more than 25 rounds in my pocket that I wore on the friggin plane (after the jacket went through the Xray machine).

They can't keep live ammo off of a plane and then they tell me they need to fondle my kids nuts to keep me safe?

That is bullshit and I know it. John Pistole needs to write on the chalk board a thousand times "I will not tell people that I need to fondle their kids and look at them naked to keep them safe"

[andygates]

Rather get scanned than groped. Rather someone point and laugh at my tiny junk behind a door than touch my tiny junk in public.

Until it's your kid daughter, and it gets on the internet. Which will happen, just wait.

It's odd how this issue's the most honestly bipartisan thing I've seen from my ivory tower here in the Olde Countrie. Nobody, right or left, likes having their tiny junk mocked by rentagoons. It's either a genuine thing that'll get genuinely changed... or just another hilarious moral panic like the satanic baby farms. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, the up-the-butt bomber awaits to mock your scanners.

[Sealegs]

Meanwhile, the up-the-butt bomber awaits to mock your scanners.

Going to the loo in flight.
~flush~ Now hands up! ~stinky non metal weapon of choice~

Edit.
Just remember that German TV demo. Got thermite?
http://boingboing.net/2010/01/22/naked- ... canne.html
[Blissfully you don't get to see a detailed picture of him unclothed.]

[prepper7]

I keep thinking maybe there should be some way to get a special ID that can let one avoid some of this nonsense. <snip>

I believe the pilot's union negotiated bypassing it by showing special ID.

[ausher]

if i ever got to go through one im sticking a vibrator in my pants...

[Sckitzo]

if i ever got to go through one im sticking a vibrator in my pants...

Your going to jail for them thinking its some deadly weapon of mass destruction

[CitizenZ]

I had an idea if I had to go thru them, I would like to make creative images and slogans on my body with zinc sun block cream. What would that look like on the scanner display?

[Sealegs]

I had an idea if I had to go thru them, I would like to make creative images and slogans on my body with zinc sun block cream. What would that look like on the scanner display?

I think some kind of foil tape would probably work better and smear less.

I'd pay to see the rection of the guy who reads the 'weapon of mass conception' message written in a strategic place.

[CitizenZ]

I had an idea if I had to go thru them, I would like to make creative images and slogans on my body with zinc sun block cream. What would that look like on the scanner display?

I think some kind of foil tape would probably work better and smear less.

I'd pay to see the rection of the guy who reads the 'weapon of mass conception' message written in a strategic place.

I would think foil tape when found will get you a visit to the special room with the federal marshals to explain your "bomb materials". I would try to avoid going that far.

I was thinking of smiley faces using my genitals as facial features (nose, butt smiles, etc). Concentric rings around my nipples, etc. Slogans about the consitution or Franklins temporary security quote. Maybe make radical tribal type patterns in invisible zinc cream so it can only be seen on the scanner display. Just for laughs and to screw with people who should not be doing that job anyway.

[StrangeLove]

I think we should all go through Ron Burgundy style.

Hand check, please!

[Oneswunk]

if i ever got to go through one im sticking a vibrator in my pants...

Your going to jail for them thinking its some deadly weapon of ass destruction

FTFU.

[Doctor_Zombie]

I travel quite a bit for work and have been selected for backscatter once at Chicago O'Hare. I told them I was a cancer survivor and didn't feel comfortable getting a full body irradiation. They were professional about it, but yelled that they "had an opt-out!!!"

I was patted down by a short, hispanic guy with a neck tattoo. NOT hot at all!

I'll take the patdown before I expose myself to high levels of radiation. Both suck in my opinion.

[Mad_Maxx]

Frack a bunch of public transportation, if i need to go to USA, i`ll go at it Lindbergh style

[Space Jockey]

When I went to Fresno last month they were screening about every 8th person. They were rubbing a white pad (chemical detection pad) on about every 6th person as well. In Sea-Tac there were no chemical pads being used and they were scanning about every 12th person. That was last month as well.

[Jeriah]

I've flown twice since this started, wasn't tapped either time. WHY DON'T YOU THINK I'M PRETTY!?!?

But seriously, mark my words: the next crazy is going to be called the Butt Plug Bomber. They still don't check for that. WTF, TSA? Haven't you seen Man On Fire? I want my cavity search! Also, can we get Natalie Portman a job with TSA?

[raptor]

I want my cavity search!

OK not a problem we will get Mr. Cucumber Fingers over to you right away.

[basm]

Also, can we get Natalie Portman a job with TSA?

And Eliza Dushku.... I have to do my part for the safety of puppies and Christmas, you know.

As for the radiation, if you are really worried about it wear a film badge or dosimeter through and see how large of a dose you receive. If its big enough you could have the NRC step in and have the battle of the government regulatory agencies!

My guess is the NRC would not get involved over one badge showing exposure. But I would like to see whether or not these backscatter devices should be tested by the FDA, which could conduct the proper tests with the NRC's oversight. FDA scientists conclude their research by posting their findings in a peer-reviewed journal or hosting a talk about their findings in the scientific community....it would be interesting to me to see the findings.

Logan was the first airport to get backscatter, because Logan was the place where planes took off on 9/11. If they could have been stopped, here would have been the place. The shoe bomber was also at Logan. If you're leaving out of Logan, you're going to get your junk scrutinized one way or the other.

I've had the backscatter and the personal gateside sexual massage more than once, and didn't enjoy either. No happy ending.

I guess it feels bad enough to me to go through the backscatter and 1) get blasted with radiation that I don't know how harmful it is because I don't know if I'm susceptible to it; 2) get my picture seen by some kid in a remote room where he's snapping pics with his iPhone so he can up it all to youtube. Doesn't matter if people don't know it's me, I know it's me.

But the real insult is having to get the body search. It's humiliating, more than a little aggravating and frustrating. And you don't really have the right to say no, unless you can do without flying. Upsetting to see it happening to children and grandmas who don't even understand what's going on, but there they are being felt-up in the middle of the airport.

There's got to be a better way. I think security is necessary, maybe even highly necessary, but we need to really tread carefully and think of better ways, that is all I am suggesting. These are not the only ideas, or the end of all ideas, these are just some ideas. If ideas never evolved nothing would ever change or improve.