New "Virtual Strip Search" Machine To Be Tested At U.S. Airports

[question everything]

New "Virtual Strip Search" Machine To Be Tested At U.S. Airports

October 11, 2007

Jessica Pupovac - AHN News Writer

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Not in the mood for a pre-flight security pat down? Well, how about a virtual strip search? The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has begun a pilot test of a body-scanning machine in U.S. airports that some critics say amount to little more than a digital disrobing device.

The Associate Press reports that the machines could eventually replace the metal detectors passengers currently walk through at airport security checkpoints. However, for now, they will be used only as a secondary screening alternative, for passengers who would rather forgo the traditional pat down.

The "millimeter wave" machine, as it is called, uses radio waves to detect foreign objects and create a three-dimensional image based on energy reflected from the body. The scans take 1.8 seconds, and appear on a computer screen about a minute later. To make passengers feel more at ease, the security agent viewing the image will be in a separate location. That way, the TSA officer who requests the screening will never see the image, and the scanee will never see the person viewing their digital body.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport already installed the machines earlier this week, and JFK Airport in New York and the Los Angeles International Airport will also install them in the near future.

(snip)

A demonstration of the technology can be found on the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's website.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008796531

[Oeditpus Rex]

1. They're just now getting this?

Guys have been using it in chat rooms since 1995.

[upi402]

2. Maybe this is what the double wetsuit preacher was prepping for

and wanted to throw in an anal-insert curve ball too (just in case)

[lligrd]

3. No Way In Hell They Are Getting Me Into One Of Those

machines. I hate flying anyway and am certainly not degrading myself to this level to do so.

[hashibabba]

4. Are they going to have to give hazard pay to those who

have to look at bodies like mine?