Full-Body Scanners 101: Your Rights

January 7, 2010 at 5:34 PM | by JetSetCD | Comments (4)

There's going to be a lot of talk about full-body scanners in 2010, we can tell. So in an effort to help you understand what airports will have them, what happens when you use them, and your rights, we're dedicating this week to explaining it all in Full-Body Scanners 101.

Although we're almost done with this week's complete lessons on full-body scanners, it's always a good idea to look back at the past posts before we jump into today's look at your rights when it comes to this new security measure. Here's what we've covered so far:

So let's say you've arrived at one of the airports that has full-body scanners and you're waiting in line to go through security to reach your flight gate. You notice that they are sending the line through the massive machines, and you're concerned about your privacy or radiation or whatever, and you wonder: do you really have to go through a full-body scan? The quick answer is yes and no...

The full answer, after the jump

YES you should go through the full-body scanner.
Notice that we used the word "should" there, because going through one of the machines is not compulsory. Still, if you stay in line and don't pipe up and take your turn showing your goodies virtually to the TSA, then the lines move quicker and you get to your gate faster and (hopefully) without arousing the suspicion and alarm of security agents.

NO you shouldn't go through the full-bod scanner.
Currently—because they haven't quite nailed down whether or not to force people to go through a full-body scan where available—it is your right to decline the full-body scan. The TSA cannot make you go into the machine if you say no, and there is an argument for saying no and therefore protesting the use of these machines.

If you say no to a full-body scan, be warned that you are then submitting yourself to a physical pat-down. Usually the TSA will honor your request for a female or male agent based on your gender, but if it's busy and they're stressed and short-staffed and you look suspicious, then don't expect that courtesy. Anyone who denies a body scan is subject to advanced screening, and be warned that if the agent feels that they don't have a great handle on your pat-down, you could be one chosen to the full stripsearch treatment. Woo-wee.

Frankly, we think full-body scanners are unnecessary and too unproven to call for a massive airport buying spree of them, but in the end we just want to be bothered as little as possible by security so that we can get to our flight and enjoy the trip. What do you think?

Related Stories:
· TSA tries to assuage privacy concerns about full-body scans [Wash Post]
· Airport Security coverage [Jaunted]

[Photos: silas216]

Comments (4)

Return to » Full-Body Scanners 101: Your Rights

My question is (don't laugh) can airport security see whether or not you are wearing-ahem-"internal protection" during your monthly visitor? Sorry,had to ask! Thanks.

This unfortunately ignores the extreme issues with these machines, that they go way over the line in violating our privacy and causing already known dangers to everyone's health. Then add in the incredible costs, delays, and no benefits to passenger safety. The best and only course is that as many people as possible refuse these scans en-masse. This is the trial launch and it's voluntary. When a large number of people resist these ever increasing so-called 'security measures", then they will back down, respect our rights, and make travel tolerable again.

This is not what the US constitution is based on. If you are that afraid to fly then do not fly. We can not let one or two attacks allow us as a nation to give up our rights and privacy. Where do you draw the line? When the government can enter your cars? When the government can enter your homes? Or when the government can enter your clothes? If you want to be in a world that is perfect and safe good luck because that is not the life we live. Thomas Jefferson once said "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" All of you should think about that. Is gaining a little more safety really worth letting others have the ability to see everything that makes you, you.

Remember when you could run up to a gate as the plane was really about to pull away from the gate, and if you had the right person on the desk they would radio the cockpit, and open the door to get you on your flight. That was after the Taxi driver took you the back way to LaGuardia or Kennedy, somehow underneath the 5...9th St. Bridge, and through the back streets of Long Island City, in the mad dash to the Airport. Those days have long since passed, but I miss the adrenelin rush and the taxi driver pushing himself to the limit to be a part of the madness.

Jaunted

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