Airport X-Ray Screening?

[Sonny]

{Susan Hallowell, the director of the Transportation Security Administration's security laboratory, allows her body to be X-rayed by the "backscatter" machine at the Transportation Security Administration in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Wednesday, June 25, 2003. Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix Arizona will test the new federal screening system that takes X-rays of passenger's bodies to detect concealed explosives and other weapons. The technology, called backscatter, has been around for several years but has not been widely used in the U.S. as an anti-terrorism tool because of privacy concerns. (AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price)}

Your thoughts? Privacy invasion?

[Sonny]

Phoenix Airport to Test X-Ray Screening

PHOENIX (AP) - Sky Harbor International Airport here will test a new federal screening system that takes X-rays of passenger's bodies to detect concealed explosives and other weapons.

The technology, called backscatter, has been around for several years but has not been widely used in the U.S. as an anti-terrorism tool because of privacy concerns.

The Transportation Security Administration said it has found a way to refine the machine's images so that the normally graphic pictures can be blurred in certain areas while still being effective in detecting bombs and other threats.

The agency is expected to provide more information about the technology later this month but said one machine will be up and running at Sky Harbor's Terminal 4 by Christmas.

LINK:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061201/D8LO1JLO2.html

[Beta]

That photo is going to haunt my dreams. The scary part is...that photo was taken BEFORE she got into the x ray machine.

[laxfan25]

That photo is going to haunt my dreams. The scary part is...that photo was taken BEFORE she got into the x ray machine.

THAT's funny!!
I think if people knew that that kind of image was being displayed there may be some queasiness and objections. Given that the TSA displays are like the referee's peep show in many cases - people will not really be aware of what's being shown. Depending on the location, I can see a lot more people applying to the TSA! (I hope they have good screening for pervs and deviates).
I do think the bigger threat though comes in the baggage compartment. - or in your sushi! Mmmm, delicious raw tuna, with just the slightest hint of Polonium 210...

[StrykerFSU]

This strikes me as misdirected resources. Before we spend millions of dollars to implement these systems, I'd like to know what the threats are that might be missed by a metal detector but caught by an x-ray. Also, what are the long-term medical effects of repeat exposure to x-rays? It might not be significant for the casual flyer but for you rich business types jetsetting around the country going to meetings, that might add up to a significant amount of radiation.

I think I would rather see these resources put to better use implementing an effective no-fly list and improving the Air Marshall service.

[Zeuslax]

Stryer wrote:

Also, what are the long-term medical effects of repeat exposure to x-rays? It might not be significant for the casual flyer but for you rich business types jetsetting around the country going to meetings, that might add up to a significant amount of radiation.

This is exactly what I thought......especially as a fequent flyer. I wouldn't call myself a rich business type. Just a poor building scientist here.

[Tim Whitehead]

This really does seem like a bit much. I'm inclined to agree with Stryker that I'd rather see resources put into other security measures.

[Jolly Roger]

I'd like to know what the threats are that might be missed by a metal detector but caught by an x-ray.

There are probably a number of non-metallic composite materials that could be fashioned into weapons or explosives.

I think I would rather see these resources put to better use implementing an effective no-fly list and improving the Air Marshall service.

Agreed.

[StrykerFSU]

There are probably a number of non-metallic composite materials that could be fashioned into weapons or explosives.

No question but I think we have to determine the level of threat that those materials would pose. What access do potential terrorists have to these materials? Could they be detected with more stringent application of current technologies? If not, then I'll be wearing my lead underoos whenever I fly. Protection of the boys will be my first priority.

[Zeuslax]

Anyone know the movie where the guy sneaks a plastic gun on an airplane, with a plastic or wooden bullet? I know that's there's ceramic guns out there. Could be an option?

[laxfan25]

How about plastic explosives? Will that X-Ray machine detect implants? Could really delay screenings at LAX...

[Tim Whitehead]

Anyone know the movie where the guy sneaks a plastic gun on an airplane, with a plastic or wooden bullet? I know that's there's ceramic guns out there. Could be an option?

It was Malkovich, in "In The Line of Fire". Great movie. And he almost got that lousy president....

[Jay Wisnieski]

That X-ray looks like Marylin Manson in the late 90's.

[WaterBoy]

I was watching a special on some primetime news show (don't remember which) that was about these new machines. Apparently they're able to pick up just about anything that a person could be hiding under their clothes, in fact they said that a skilled observer would notice a person carrying a baggie of water under their shirt.

I would assume that this is a deterrent against the use of gel explosive or other non-metallic items, since if you have a liquid that you don't put into the plastic bag, there's no real way for them to be certain to screen it. On the flip side, I don't really know what this machine would be able to pick up that a puffer machine would miss.

The Air Marshalls are running a tenuous balance between trying to maintain sufficient numbers while at the time maintain their quality standards for application. The other thing about air marshalls though, is that they are there a lot more than you might think- not being noticed is a part of their job. I like to sit in terminals while waiting and see if I can pick one out of a crowd, and I'm sure that if I keep doing it for about ten years I will be right once.