Potentially embarrassing "graphic" full-body scans to begin in the fall at O'Hare

[struggle4progress]

New airport security devices "see" through clothing
Potentially embarrassing "graphic" full-body scans to begin in the fall at O'Hare

By Jon Hilkevitch | Chicago Tribune reporter
10:24 PM CDT, July 19, 2008

... The new full-body imaging machines that will arrive at O'Hare this fall look through clothing to create an explicit silhouette of the traveler—showing shapes, folds of fat and other anatomical characteristics—to identify possible hidden objects.

Even though facial features are blurred to protect privacy, the images reveal breasts, buttocks and other private parts ...

Previously, federal security officials claimed the images produced by the full-body imaging machines were fuzzy and lacked detail, but Hawley acknowledged that is not the case ...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-airport-bd20jul20,0,2583531.story

[Happyhippychick]

1. They need to rename this forum "lack of civil liberties".

I'm beyond disgusted at this moment.

[Orrex]

2. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Fly Nude

Anything less is a dangerous threat to Our National Security™.

[baldguy]

3. Look at what this 20%er has to say:

Arabelle Ruscitti of Buffalo Grove at first expressed support for the body scan, but her attitude shifted on learning that the images leave little to the imagination and the screeners viewing them are not necessarily the same sex as the passenger being observed.

"Oooh," Ruscitti said. "For security purposes I think it's good, but personally I don't want anybody looking at my body. It wouldn't be as bad, I guess, if it were another woman."

Just whose bodies does she think are going to be scanned?

[CoffeeCat]

4. Well, nothing could be as embarrasing...

...as standing in the airport, while other passengers milled by me--as a security guard felt up
and around my bra because "Well, you know, part of the bra is metal and we have to make sure
that there isn't anything in there."

I had my shoes off too.

I was worried that all of a sudden the lights would dim and Marvin Gay tunes would start playing.

After that, they ran every item in my carry-on bag through "chemical testing." That included
my underwear, that was pulled out of my bag, held up and put through some chemical-tester.

I got the "special treatment" after being flagged for the additional security.

[gateley]

7. Was it your bra that flagged you for the additional security?

This is beyond ludicrous and infuriating.

[CoffeeCat]

12. I don't know why I was flagged...

My plane/boarding ticket had two letters in the lower left corner. I believe (but I'm not positive) that they
were "SS". I've heard that those letters indicate that you are flagged for the extra security.

My bra was not visible.

I'm a middle-aged woman. I don't know why I would have been flagged for the bra inspection.

[gateley]

14. I was curious if the bra set off the metal detector and THEN

they chem-tested your underwear as a result. But you didn't even have a chance. Interesting about the two letters.

Naomi Wolf said she was always being pulled aside for extra scrutiny. She said something once like "I don't know why I always seem to have to go through this" and the woman whispered to her that she was on "the list". :scared: She said on her next flight, she threw away a book and a t-shirt someone had given to her before she got to the security point -- she was afraid they might seem "subversive". All because of books she's written and lectures she's given in this freedom of speech country we call America.

When I was reading your post, I was thinking that it's people like you and me (and Naomi) that get the scrutiny for some reason, and the shoe bomber probably waltzes right on through.

It's insane.

[CoffeeCat]

15. It makes me wonder...

...what is going on, because I am not a member of any anti-war groups or any political groups at all.

I don't even belong to my local Democrat-party organization.

The only political activity in which I engage, is posting on DU.

So, if I was flagged for that--how in the world would anyone know that I post on DU?

That is fricking scary.

There must be some other explanation.

Interesting that Naomi Klein was told that she's on "the list" but she's not on the no-fly list.

What the hell is "the list?" People who aren't terrorists, and who are ok to fly--but deserve to be harassed?

This IS insane.

[gateley]

16. I'm sure they can find out who we all REALLY are

on DU (especially if you're an idiot like me and use your real name :eyes:).

It could even be as simple as e-mails criticizing Bushco. Forwarding, via e-mail complaining about our lack of privacy, how we're becoming a fascist nation (I'm thinking of all the things I send and receive.)

There is nowhere to hide. I'm convinced of it.

Good point about the list -- okay to hassle. I wonder if they seriously consider her a potential threat (which seems really dumb), or just want to bug her because they don't like that she's hip to their tricks.

[unhappycamper]

17. The SS on your boarding ticket was the reason you were selected for extra screening.

That happened to me two years ago when I was taking my granddaughter to Logan airport. I was wearing flip-flops, Bermuda shorts and a t-shirt. I'm not sure why I was selected for this honor, but it must have been a disappointment to them.

Frau Blücher (mega-tight bun) was in charge when I went thru.

[CoffeeCat]

18. Don't you think that it's a bit creepy...

...that "SS" would be used to indicate additional screening--or anything else for that matter?

I find that really bizarre.

I wonder what those letters mean.

[Diane R]

9. Do you suppose you were flagged because you are a frequent poster on DU? I've wondered about that..

[CoffeeCat]

13. I have no idea why I was flagged...

...or how anyone would know that I'm a DU poster.

Who knows. Nothing would shock me any more.

If I found Agent Mike in my kitchen pantry, taking notes--I probably wouldn't bat an eyelash.

[Alameda]

5. Is this legal????

It really is terribly invasive.

[gateley]

6. This is SO WRONG --

And leaving it up to the non-professionals who are doing the screening to determine if you're 'carrying' or not.

What about this "puffer" technology mentioned in the article? That sounds like a much more palatable option.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. I can imagine how uncomfortable it would be

for a person who is a cancer survivor and who has lost parts of their anatomy to fly, knowing that the scanners will pick up on this. And how certain could we be that the scans would not be saved and passed around for amusement?

[Truth4Justice]

10. If there is a way to save and store these scans you can count on the pervs to do it.

the respect for our privacy is almost gone now. The information society doesn't care about privacy rights. All done in the name of safety of course. :puke:

[Speck Tater]

11. If fuel prices don't kill the airlines, this shit WILL! Go Amtrak! NT