Airport Security: Pat downs, Rubdowns, and Body Scans, Oh My!
Airport Security: Pat downs, Rubdowns, and Body Scans
, Oh My!
Thought this topic would disappear quickly? Think again. Due to the recent public outcry about the new airport security procedures that include full body scans and invasive pat downs, the head of the TSA John Pistole (how'd you like his job?) announced they will reexamine the new policy, and offer less-invasive pat downs.
And now they want to boycott the scanners entirely, on one of the busiest travel days of the day. While the independent writer in me says Go for it! because Hug Mebook sales will benefit, this is probably one of the most selfish things travelers could do this season. Any disruption to the security process can cause endless delays through the delicate infrastructure. The only thing this could possibly accomplish is making a lot of people miss out on turkey dinner with their families.
The fact remains, the only travelers who might be subject to a pat down are those who either refuse a full-body scan, or set off the metal detector. And unless I'm missing the point entirely, the only issue with the body scanners is that the computer renders an image of your naked body that could potentially be seen by someone who is trying to save your life.
It's barely a topic worth discussing then why are we?
Two words. Media frenzy.
The media LOVES stories like this because it stirs up controversy, and sells newspapers. The yahoos on the radio just love to get their two cents in about how wrong this is and how unjust this is for the American public.
The USA Today, purveyor of "truth," has capitalized on this in every way possible. Their video depicting a visibly disturbed mother who was pat down after they found 5-oz of baby formula in her pocket is certainly going to tug at the heartstrings of mothers. As is the clip of aHarvard professor of radiology who just happened to be in the airport that day, offering his unfounded conclusion that going through the scanners will cause irreparable damage to the human body. (His voice over run over footage of an All-American grandmother stepping inside the new scanner. They might as well just say, "Do you want Grandma to die on her way to come visit you?")
I attempted to find ANY evidence that this is true. Amazingly enough, Icouldn't.
According to the TSA, "radiation from one scan is about the same as a person would get from flying for about three minutes in an airplane at 30,000 feet, where atmospheric radiation levels are higher than on the ground. That amount is vastly lower than a single dental X-ray."
And according to the Associated Press who have always been quick on the calculator, "You would have to go through scanners more than 1,000 times in one year to even meet the maximum recommended leveland even pilots don't do that."
I'll throw in that talking on your iPhone for hours on endis probably a hundred times worse for you, but Apple won't allow anyone to mention that. (In fact, if I were typing on a Mac this sentence would mysteriously keep deleting itself.)
Look. I hate the security procedures as much as anyone. In fact, I wrote an entire book about getting stuck in the airport, and ways to make the flying situation more bearable. I believe the airline industry has a LONG way to go in order to serve the flying public in a way that we deserve. But this is a step in the RIGHT direction.
And media people? Quit trying to scare the bejeezuz out of the public by printing incorrect information. Didn't you learn your lesson with that war we started with Iraq? Get everybody on board with the scanners and the pat down issue will go away. Get everybody on board with my idea to give away free round trip tickets for anyone who turns in someone looking to bring dangerous items onboard a plane, and we'll do away with security lines all together. Even that foolish 3-oz rule so the poor mom can bring her baby's bottle on board without getting rubbed in all the wrong ways.
Nobody Intends To File For Bankruptcy Hemorrhoids care and curative measures Multiple Benefits Of White Tea For Your Health, Mind, And Body Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Affect Other Parts Of My Body Do You Have Thyroid Problem Symptoms, But Blood Tests Are Normal? Can It Be Linked to Menopause? Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Beautiful Body Now A Dream Come True Natural Body Hydration Bad Posture Contributing to Back Pain Accredited Health Care Career Study Opportunities 2 Amazing Weight Loss Products Everybody Needs Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms Are Magnified by Alcohol Winter Scarf - the Solution for Both Women and Males In Winter