Airport Security Questions

I had not had any problems until my last flight out of Charleston, SC. I went through the X-ray machine and three spots showed up. One at my knee area (I have had knee replacement) one at my shoulder area and one at my head. I was pulled aside for a pat down and I just about jumped out of my skin when my crotch was not touched but actually grabed hard enough that I jumped. Nothing showed up on the X-ray to warrant being touched there. It is still a mystery why all this stuff showed up on the X-ray and I know it did because they showed it to me. I was a little upset to say the least. I've had to go through pat down since they started doing it but never experienced any thing like this before.

I dont go through the scanners either because I dont think they have been properly tested. I always opt out and get a pat down. I leave my money in my pocket when going through the metal detector and then just tell the guy I have cash in my pocket. They always have me remove it, fan it out with my back turned to everybody and then put it back. Its not a big deal.

Really? I'd like to know what you know. Because everything I read says the opposite.

What flaws have you identified in the scads of government, industry, and independent analyses that show that the modern full-body scanners now deployed at airports throughout the USA are safe?

I kind of put my own suspicions to rest after the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the U.S. Army Public Health Command all deemed TSA's scanners completely and utterly safe.

What makes you disbelieve their unequivocal work? Do you have some special training that should make us respect your suspicion of their testing methods?

I mean, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory sounds like a place packed with a lot of really smart people, no? They say they have over 3,000 scientists and engineers on staff. Wow! Read their report here

Can you explain why we shouldn't have faith in their ability to test these devices?

Could it be that the TSA doesn't want to be embarrassed like they were with the "puffer sniffer machines" that they started to put into airports before the full body scanners were available? I got air blown up, down and sideways all over me a couple times before someone realized they were ineffective and a waste of time. Many of the 6-figure machines had been built for airports all over the country, but they were never installed. Nothing like a "good" security investment being sold for scrap, and that's what happened to those machines.

If the full body scanners were so safe, every flight crew and airport employee would have to go through them every day. They don't. Ask all of those "really smart people" why that is a fact.

What? we can't trust the government. OMG! i'm am shocked. lolololololololololololol

Couple points.

First, I take it that BobOrme also has no reason to question the testing methods of the organizations I cited above that all concluded that today's full-body scanners are safe. If he did, I'm sure he would have written about it.

Second, unlike the traveling public, flight crews go through rigorous, ongoing background checks throughout their employment. That's why TSA has concluded that it's not necessary to check them as thoroughly at the checkpoint, it's not some conspiracy to keep them from revealing the danger of the scanners. Moreover, flight crews still have to show ID and go through metal detectors before entering the secure area.

Third, airport employees are constantly subject to security checks. They too have to pass background checks before they get their badges, and they have to display those badges for inspection at all times. It's a fantasy to suggest they aren't subjected to security.

Misinformation and ignorance suck.

Misinformation and ignorance - the political platform that is presently destroying our nation.

As opposed to: Let's invade countries that never attacked us and kill people who are no threat to us. That's worked so well for so long, hasn't it?

mrmarcus- if you really try, you could comprehend what I have said. Your question is just one of the many results of mistakes made by our fearless leaders, past and present.

Actually...if the truth be known, pilots have been avoiding these machines ever since the largest independent Pilot's union warned "its members to avoid security screening by full-body scanners out of concern the machines emit dangerous levels of radiation"

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/09/pilots_oppose_backscatter_scanners/

then there was this https://www.npr.org/assets/news/2010/05/17/concern.pdf memo from a few well respected scientists that suggested the long term safety of thise devices was in question.

Most troubling is the response of Dr. John P. Holdren Assistant to the President for Science and Technology.

https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/SecuritySystems/ucm231857.htm

Mr Holdren mentions "An individual would have to receive more than 1000 screenings to begin to approach the annual limit." Since the effects of exposure to radiation are cumulative, and since 700 Million Passengers are expected to go through these screenings on an anuual basis (some hundreds of times)...it is not unreasonable to assume there will in fact be some additional cancer deaths due to screening

Now, Chilcoot cites some very prestigous organizations and makes it seem like no one in their right mind could possibly doubt this well proven scientific fact, when some highly qualified scientists question the testing methods and long run effects of the mass deployment of fully body scanners on the traveling public...including the previously identified professors....internationally recognized cancer expert, imaging experts and memebers of the National Acedemy of Sciences....All smarter men than us...eh?

I personally have no issues with the full body scan. I'm sure the person reviewing the scans is duly impressed when I walk through....But for those who are concerned, I suggest protection...Radiation Blocking Underwear!

https://www.rockyflatsgear.com/