Okay, so I have noticed an increase in posts on Facebook about the new scanning procedures that take place at airports. I don't travel a whole lot (only because I don't have the money) but I can tell you that what I am hearing really makes me not want to travel so I don't have to risk being practically strip searched.
For those like myself who have been in the dark until now, here's the deal: for various reasons, including random search, people are now being submitted to the new full body scanners. You can watch their video about it here. Now, in the video they specifically mention that the scanners CANNOT store or send images. However, here you can read an article about a group who seems to believe they are being "misleading" or, basically, lying. Clearly there is no hard evidence for this but search google and stuff pops up about scanner photos being leaked. I don't know if any of this is true or not, but if photos were leaked, then obviously they were saved or sent somewhere. If this is the case, I find this really upsetting. The fact that someone I don't know, or have truly given my permission to, is going to see my naked body is really upsetting to me. Even if it is briefly. I am not a prude by any means, but its my body and my choice who gets to see it stripped or not.
So that being said, there is an alternative. You can opt out of the scanners and instead vote for an even more intrusive "enhanced pat down". I tried going on the TSA website and finding their own words on what EXACTLY takes place in the new "enhanced" pat downs. But, go figure, I couldn't seem to find any sort of description anywhere. All I could find was these two descriptions here and here. They are the best warnings found for the kind of pat down you receive. The pages, respectively, state:
"You should be offered a private screening before the beginning of a pat-down inspection if the pat-down will require the lifting of clothing and/or display of a covered medical device."
and
"A pat-down inspection complements the hand-wand inspection. In order to ensure security, this inspection may include sensitive areas of the body. Security Officers are rigorously trained to maintain the highest levels of professionalism. You may request that your pat-down inspection be conducted in private."
Sensitive areas of the body? Cut the bullshit and just call it what it is, we are going to get felt up. Here is a better description of what happens: "a TSA screener will use a front-of-the-hand, slide-down body screening " From what I can understand in reading various articles... the old pat down's consisted of a "palms up" technique. The new ones are palms down. They now check up the inner thighs, a genital "brush" can be expected, and women get a feel down between their lady lumps. In this TSA blog, they state that pat downs are conducted by same gender employees but in my short time of researching this, that doesn't seem to always be the case.
Ok, so I realize not everyone gets scanned when you go to the airport. However, this is just the beginning and I know that I would feel pretty violated going through either procedure. I realize the issue of safety is at hand, but I have got to believe that we can find a less intrusive way to check for these things. In the meantime, if anyone feels violated during one of these procedures, ACLU is conducting a survey to evaluate the chance of potential abuse of the new airport security. You can fill out a form here.
So, with all that being said.. travel safe these coming holidays. I'm just glad that I live a mere two hour drive from my family.
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