Full Body Scan Coming to San Antonio International (Dallas: to live, law)

[stoneoak]

This body scan is definitely overstepping my rights. Unless I'm being booked into a prison or an autopsy, I should not have to expose myself to anyone.

And you just know some Web site is going to surface posting all these embarrasing scans...just like the Wal-Mart pictures. I'd rather take my chances with a terrorist. If I go down, at least I can go down with some dignity.

[plwhit]

Yup, we can trust the people behind the scanners.........

Feds Caught Storing Naked Body Scanner Images at Florida Courthouse Security Checkpoint « tobefree

Body scanners used as porn by airport*security - Naijafeed - (http://www.naijafeed.com/naijafeed/2010/9/28/body-scanners-used-as-porn-by-airport-security.html - broken link)

[Cerberus01]

Originally Posted by spursfan

Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

So shouldn't this fall under an unreasonable search and seizure? Forcing people to either basically strip down (without actually taking clothes off) or get pat down seems to be pretty unreasonable. This stuff really pisses me off.

Here's a news flash...many of your basic constitutional rights went out the window when the Patriot Act was implemented...the U.S. govt can justify almost any action in the name of national security. Guess Ican throw away those x-ray glasses I've been keeping all of these years.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by Cerberus01

Here's a news flash...many of your basic constitutional rights went out the window when the Patriot Act was implemented...the U.S. govt can justify almost any action in the name of national security. Guess Ican throw away those x-ray glasses I've been keeping all of these years.

I'm disappointed that Pres Obama didn't overthrow the Patriot Act. I also feel that this ACt was an overstep of the Fed Gov't. How come nobody ever talks about this as "takeover" of privacy in the way that they yell at Obama for "takeover" of our healthcare?

[scuba steve]

I saw the scanners at IAH about a month ago. The screens were in plain view of everyone walking around the terminal (the area between terminal E and D, and no I didn't hang around to check things out). I thought the screens were supposed to be off in another room? In any case it didn't look like lines were moving any faster than before so no net change there.

[FutureBrennanDad]

The scanners are not a bad thing when dealing with adults. A grown person is making the decision to fly vs drive. But I have concerns on the children that need to fly. It is on a different level having someone view a body scan of a minor who has commited no offense other than being taken on a flight.

[plwhit]

But the terrorists have no compunctions about using little kids to deliver bombs, especially little girls.
And as the aborted bombings these past two week via the cargo planes have shown the body scanners now have become next to useless.... usama baby is slowly but surely bringing this country to it's knees.
If we can't get to the sources of the groups who want to do us harm, we have lost the war on terror.

And we can thank all the bleeding hearts, and all the politically correct members in the congress and the senate, and dang, all the political advisors Sheik obama has put in place so we have our hands tied when it comes to identifying these bearded ones who want to meet their 72 virgins

[Merovee]

^ Scare tactics, hmm? I don't think they work on everyone.

I don't think this country is on its knees either ~_~ having such a fear-based and critical view could certainly diminish one's quality of life too. It is also best to check all instead of just profiling guys in beards and their families lol

On another note the coming national passenger rail system will make us less vulnerable in the skies, not that everyone flies or would travel by rail, some sure do love to sensationalize the air industry.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by FutureBrennanDad

The scanners are not a bad thing when dealing with adults. A grown person is making the decision to fly vs drive. But I have concerns on the children that need to fly. It is on a different level having someone view a body scan of a minor who has commited no offense other than being taken on a flight.

If minors are exempted from the scan, they become the best way to get something on board that you don't want to have scanned.

[txlnghrn]

San Antonio airport just installed scanners on Monday.
I'm really surprised at all of the folks in this thread who appear to have no problem with the following:

1) The pictures taken with the machines are highly detailed, to the point of being able to make out genitalia and other identifying features. (You can google that one yourself, but most pics are NSFW).

2) Despite claims that there is no mechanism to store the images, the Feds can and do just that.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20012583-281.html

3) Exposure to radiation in any amount is dangerous to your health, and accumulated radiation exposure is a cause of cancer. I cannot fathom exposing a child (or fetus) to unnecessary radiation.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1290527/Airport-body-scanners-deliver-radiation-dose-20-times-higher-thought.html

http://www.technewsdaily.com/lawsuit-filed-over-airport-scanner-privacy-health-concerns-0993/

4) You're trusting a TSA agent to ensure that a machine that exposes you to radiation is operating properly and safely. Seriously?

5) The technology cannot detect weapons/explosives hidden in body cavities.

Its a little alarmist, but this is a decent summary: http://www.nudeoscope.com/Brochure/5a.pdf

I'm a frequent traveler, and will gladly spend a few extra minutes taking the alternative screening over stepping foot in an airport scanner, violating my privacy, and exposing myself to unknown levels of radiation all in the name of a false sense of security. And yes, I do find the pat downs to be highly intrusive as well, but given I can't give up airline travel anytime soon, I'll live with 3 minutes of discomfort and continue to write letters to my Representative.

When you opt out of the scan, you are entitled to have your pat down in public (which keeps the invasiveness of the pat down at a minimum) in full view of your belongings. If the TSA official violates either of these requirements, you can and should ask to speak with law enforcement.

Hopefully this information will help at least a few folks make an informed decision about their privacy & health next time they travel.