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

[Space Jockey]

I'll be flying from Washington to California next month to visit a friend I haven't seen in a few years. Last time I flew was in June to my brother's wedding and the airports I was at didn't have the new scanners, just metal detectors. Both the airports I will be flying out of have the new scanners. I've been reading up on them, and besides the fact that I don't want someone seeing me naked (even though they don't see your face and are locked away), they also have some radiation associated with them. I'm not sure how much radiation these put out, but it's enough to have me somewhat concerned. I read a testimonial from someone saying they were a doctor that said it may be enough to cause thyroid damage. Even at the dentist they cover areas like your thyroid to prevent radiation exposure and potential damage. I don't need or want something like that screwing with my thyroid and have to be on Levothyroxine my whole life. Also the fact that someone I don't know is seeing me naked makes me uncomfortable.

Anybody been through these yet? Experiences you want to share? Currently I'm thinking about getting the pat-down instead. Even though I don't feel like being groped like a horny prom date, I feel even less comfortable having some stranger check me out naked. And yes I am going to fly, flight is paid in full, plans are made, and I'm not driving that far during winter.

[man in black]

well, they dont scan everyone like that just the randoms they pick out of the crowd for " profiling purposes" so if all goes well you won't have to worry about it. now i am not hung up on someone seeing me naked, whatever its the human body we all have one. But like you mentioned the radiotion thing worries me so i think i would go with the gropey route if i was given a choice.

[andygates]

The rads are about as likely to give you cancer as Al Stupida is to blow up your plane (both are very, very long odds, but not zero).

http://ratemybackscatter.com/index.php?

[Werespaz]

FYI, Wednesday is "National Opt-Out Day" for those who disagree with these scanners and such.

[Power Fail]

well, they dont scan everyone like that just the randoms they pick out of the crowd for " profiling purposes"

I may be wrong here, but I thought I heard that you only go for the scan or grope if you set off the metal detector.

Space Jockey, if you investigate and find that to be true, you might consider just putting ANYTHING metal into your luggage to avoid the hassle.

[Chef]

I have not, and will not, nor will I submit to a groping. So no commercial flights for me until this farce is rescinded or I leave the US.

[Zoltan]

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


Flying to Las Vegas in January for SHOT Show, already dreading it, as SF has the scanners. Guess I'm wearing gym shorts and flipflops on the plane.

[Sealegs]

Saw a vid doing the interweb rounds, a kid getting strip searched in view of the queue. That pissed me off three ways to Sunday.

[Finch]

first while i think space jockeys OP was within the rules this is probably not an OK topic within the "no politics rules"

that said I travel often for work and have no problem with the back scatters. I do think the ball/boobies touching is over the line.

the first time i saw one in MIA i waltz into in and asked the TSA agent "if this was the machine they used to look at my penis?" she said no i replied "because i'll take it out if you need me too"

she suggested that was not needed.

anyway if you have a problem with it write your congressmen and dont fly until its fixed, or fly just don't back up a 10 min line to 40 making me miss my flight so you can play games with TSA.

[Kelvar]

Here is a link about wearing kilts and going commando as a response to all this:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/11/going-commando.ars

(If anyone deems this to be too political, say the word and I'll remove it).

[Dogan]

[masterblaster666]

I just took a trip to denver from san diego for vacation and leaving San Diego I was put into one of those machines. My dumb ass took all metal off and forgot about my Thors hammer on my neck I offered to remove it once they asked if i had a "Medalion" on and I remembered and they just had me turn it around to my back? Had me lace my fingers on top of my head, legs spread I was waiting for the hand cuffs to come because that is useally next in a laced fingers situation. Had me stand there for a like 30 seconds on both sides i felt like i was getting Xeroxed. I still got the wand but then was allowed to sit at my terminal. Not untill i got back from my trip that i saw some video of some body scans that were saved and leaked and compiled in to a long viedo of bodyscaned wangs and boobs.

[Sckitzo]

Went through it in Afghanistan, my only complaint was the dumb ass Army MP that rammed his hand down my pants to find the "phantom spot"

And by phantom spot, neither me, him or his supervisor could figure out what it was. I say complaint, as I almost decked the dude as he just went from patting my pocket to stick his hand down my pants, I mean shit buy me dinner first buddy .

None of us could figure out what was going on, I had left and came back, but almost positive I didn't take shit out of my pants, and the think looked like a challenge coin sized object and shaped. I sure as the hell don't carry one of those. I did get peppered with shrapnel a few years back, but I'm pretty damn sure I would have remembered a inch sized piece of metal entering my thigh...

I don't remember seeing my wang very well in the image, maybe that just means I shouldn't be admitting that on the internet
We used the RapiScan version though if that means anything.

[Space Jockey]

I mean shit buy me dinner first buddy .

I may use this line when I opt out. I never come up with quick quips on the spot.

[Sckitzo]

I mean shit buy me dinner first buddy .

I may use this line when I opt out. I never come up with quick quips on the spot.

Be warned, TSA has zero sense of humor

[Paladin1]

I have been scanned but not groped, do you have to pay extra for that?

I do think the pat down is over the top, you can't have a free society and absolute safety. Life is a risk.

[FlashDaddy]

Here's a group of german youngsters protesting by removing their clothes in line:

protesting airport scanners

Man, those germans are wild, crazy, protesting machines! Germany, it's like a teutonic France, without the car fires!

[Sealegs]

They also had a Professor demonstrate how to fool the scanners on national tv, and he concluded by showing us where to put the thermite in a 747 to really bring it down.

They had the one w. the blurry image though. Seeing that guy naked would have blinded the nation.

[Red_Snow]

I was going through the one at SLC since they first put it in quite a while ago. Never really bothered me, if someone wants to post a video of all my highly cultivated rolls online, so be it.

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!

[Oneswunk]

I'm flying to colorado next month, fuck it scan my ass I'll happily stand in the box and slowly swing it back and forth like a pendulum. Wanna rub me down, go for it just don't forget to cup the balls.

Really people its just the human body. Do I think its excessive? Yes. Don't mean I can't try to have some fun with it.

[Holger Danske]

Make sure and ask the TSA guy for a "Happy Ending".

[Sckitzo]

They also had a Professor demonstrate how to fool the scanners on national tv, and he concluded by showing us where to put the thermite in a 747 to really bring it down.

They had the one w. the blurry image though. Seeing that guy naked would have blinded the nation.

Reminds me of the Czech, or maybe it's Ukranian girls, who in protesting the sex trade there, strip nekkid and prance around in the streets.

And no, your not getting pics and I'm not linking it on here

[Paladin1]

They also had a Professor demonstrate how to fool the scanners on national tv, and he concluded by showing us where to put the thermite in a 747 to really bring it down.

They had the one w. the blurry image though. Seeing that guy naked would have blinded the nation.

Reminds me of the Czech, or maybe it's Ukranian girls, who in protesting the sex trade there, strip nekkid and prance around in the streets.

And no, your not getting pics and I'm not linking it on here

Bastard.

[Dogan]

They also had a Professor demonstrate how to fool the scanners on national tv, and he concluded by showing us where to put the thermite in a 747 to really bring it down.

They had the one w. the blurry image though. Seeing that guy naked would have blinded the nation.

Reminds me of the Czech, or maybe it's Ukranian girls, who in protesting the sex trade there, strip nekkid and prance around in the streets.

And no, your not getting pics and I'm not linking it on here

I'll be in my bunk.

Fixed.