Body Scanner's and Airport Travel in 2011

If you’re getting ready to travel or take a vacation you may need to brush up on changes the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) have made to airport security procedures.

Since 2004-2005, TSA has implemented new security measures and deployed enhanced technology, which reflect TSA’s evolving approach to aviation security. Among TSA’s many layers of security include Advance Imaging Technology (AIT) or body scanners.

Please take a few moments to view a special report that CBS News conducted on this very subject last year.




You may find yourself in a situation where you debate taking a pat down or using a body scanner: weighing your privacy against the efficiency that this technology is supposed to bring to air travel.

If you have ever had this internal debate while waiting for your flight in the security checkpoint as the large family with kids or elderly couple takes there time in front of you here’s our advice to help you in your decision.

If you have time: Go with a pat down
One of the biggest issues traveler’s have with body scanners is not necessarily the potential health risks, but invasion of their personal space. Namely once an individual is being scanned, they have no idea whether a female or a male is viewing their scanned body; but TSA regulations stipulate that men must frisk men, and women must frisk women. So if privacy is of concern to you opt of a body scan for a pat-down if you have time to spare. A general rule of thumb is arrive to the airport two hours before your flight, so the time spent waiting to get through security will equivocates to maintain your dignity and privacy.

Special Scanner Clothing
Frequent travelers often stock pile or at least segregate from their general wardrobe, clothes that they use specifically for travel. While I cannot suggest one particular avenue to purchase such clothing (since people have different tastes in clothes and come in different sizes) I can suggest a special type of clothing that will ensure your privates remain private if you choose to go through with a body scan, and would be a great addition to your travel wardrobe.

Marc Carey of Kentucky has invented a special type of undergarment that is intended to blur the images body scanners take using a special ink on the garment. If you wish to purchase these undergarments you can at the website http://www.scannershirts.com/ the clothing definitely gives travelers a way to ease their privacy concerns although officials of TSA suggest that they may lead to additional scans.

Be Engaged During a Pat-down
Although this may go without saying, often people who are being patted down by a TSA officer disengage mentally and are not paying attention to the person frisking their body, since they want the experience over or because other travel concerns are occupying their attention. While TSA officers are sworn to high standard of ethics it’s important that if you feel violated you inform someone and voice your concern. Make eye contact with officer and be sure that they only do their job correctly.

In closing, our thoughts on body scanners pertain to their operators and new standards that may have to be implemented to make this technology work. Since the new Advance Imaging Technology appears as if it’s going to become the norm at airports, males and female should be separated in the security line, so that Men are viewing scanned images of men who go through the body scan and women are viewing scanned images of women. It doesn’t seems as if airport security will be getting any less invasive in the near future and AIT does has promise in terms of keeping the flow of people moving in and out of airports.

We welcome your comments!

TransGap