What You Need to Know About Full Body Scanners
The first batch of the much-talked about full body scanners, planned for airports across the country, were recently installed in Boston’s Logan International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International. In total, 450 machines are scheduled to be installed by the end of the year, and while the machines are said to improve airport security, they have been criticized for what some people say, invade personal privacy.
As each airport will only have a few of these scanners, not every passenger will be required to go through the new process. It’s important to note as well that all facial features will appear blurred to protect privacy and ensure anonymity. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer operating the scanner will be in another room and communication with the passenger will be conducted via radio, while the TSA officer escorting the passenger in and out of the scanner will not see the images. Following inspections, all images will be deleted, according to the TSA.
Passengers are not required to go through the scanning process, says the TSA, and those who feel uncomfortable participating in full-body imaging can decline but will undergo traditional security procedures: being screened by a metal detector or hand-wand, and/or a physical pat-down. The process is as follows: Each passenger will walk into the imaging portal. Once inside, they will be asked to stand in different positions and remain still for just a few seconds while the technology creates an image of the passenger in real time. Once complete, the passenger will exit the opposite side of the portal.
For more information, including which airports are currently using scanning technologies and which will be receiving the machines soon, click here.
What do you think? Would you do it?
posted by Travel Bug
Nicole Sullivan, Supervisor of Branding & Communications
Collette Vacations
Tags: Airport, Travel Tips
