No More Flying for Me

I generally tend to stay away from political topics, both on- and off-line. Whenever I discuss them, I usually end up getting angry and frustrated. However, today, I read something that I feel the need to post about: the new scanning machines the TSA is now testing.

According to this article in USA Today, these machines have been rolled out in the Tulsa airport already, as a preliminary test before they go into full operation. It sounds like many of the passengers who went though the machines didn’t really know how the machines worked.

Basically, they are sort of like the X-Ray glasses many young boys have dreamed off. You know, the ones that would let you see through people’s clothing? To be more specific (quoted from the article),

The machines use electromagnetic waves to create pictures of energy reflected off people. The metallic-looking images show outlines of private body parts and blur passengers’ faces. Two Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners in a closed room near the checkpoint view the images on computer monitors and relay information on radio headsets to checkpoint screeners. [emphasis mine]

Elsewhere, the article states that the machines “produce vivid pictures of what is underneath passengers’ clothing.” Granted, the machines will “blur passengers’ faces,” but to be honest, that doesn’t make me feel any better.

Currently, the TSA is only testing these machines, but once they go into production, they will replace the ubiquitous metal detectors that we have become so accustomed to. And what if you would rather not pass through one of these machines?

“It’s a little too revealing,” said Deborah Newell, who had seen images created by the scanner on local TV news Wednesday. When Newell, 29, a software-project manager from Charlotte, declined to go through the scanner, a female screener gave her a traditional pat-down search.

Kerry Holden, 48, of Miami also opted for a pat-down. She said the machine’s electronics might weaken her pacemaker battery. [emphasis mine]

A pat-down search. That’s what the police do with a criminal they’re arresting. So, either you receive a virtual strip-search, or you get patted-down like a criminal. And I think we’ve all heard stories about what happens to people who object to this sort of TSA foolishness (here’s a hint: arrested, detained, whatever word you want to use for it).

Is it just me, or does it seem like the government is going too far?