From body scanners to pat-down procedures
September 2010
Full body scanners are marching into U.S. airports as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announces new pat-down procedures. Many airline passengers in the U.S. face an uncomfortable choice. Do they use the very revealing (but supposedly anonymous) body scanner, or do they subject themselves to a rather personal physical search?
The debate over the use of full-body scanners continues. More are being installed in U.S. airports each week as the TSA continues the deployment of 450 scanners begun in March of this year. The biggest concern among passengers and passenger advocates has revolved around privacy. The scanners can "see" through clothing and this has many travelers worried about their privacy. Who is going to see the image? Will they know who it is? What happens to the images? The TSA insists that procedures are in place to block identifying features of an individual and to isolate the reviewer away from the screening location. Additionally, the scanned images are supposed to be deleted upon review. Passengers who refuse to go through a scanner can opt to have a pat-down by a TSA officer but choosing the hands-on approach may not have passengers feeling any better about privacy.
The TSA is introducing new physical search procedures at two airports – Boston Logan and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport – before implementing them nationwide. Known as "enhanced pat-downs," the procedure involves using the palm-first method for the entire body search. The TSA had previously had its officers use the backs of their hands when moving over a subject's more sensitive areas. The Boston Herald reports that the new procedures have raised the ire of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Massachusetts which questions the effectiveness of screening techniques when weighed against what it feels are increasing threats to privacy.
The good news is that as a Priority Pass member you can get over the turmoil of being searched by relaxing and unwinding at one of over 600 airport VIP lounges worldwide, regardless of your class of travel, ticket type or airline.
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