Security Scanner Can See Through Clothes

Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:08 PM EST

us-news, united-states, airport, ray, screening, x-ray, sky-harbor-international-airport

Terry Tang, Associated Press Writer

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Regions: United States , Phoenix

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{"commentId":550093,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

JoulesBeef

I am going to glue about a dozen fake nipples on my body before i fly again.

{"commentId":550093,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

18 votes

#1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:37 PM EST

{"commentId":550200,"authorDomain":"baxter"}

Tim Baxter

I'm thinking rubber "marital aid" down the pants.

{"commentId":550200,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"baxter"}

4 votes

#1.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:26 PM EST

{"commentId":550202,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

So much for those who say there isn't a terrorist nipple threat in the works. The guards are going to have to "titty twister" you into submission. That's going to be a lot of twisting.

{"commentId":550202,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"brianford"}

6 votes

#1.2 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:28 PM EST

{"commentId":550216,"authorDomain":"wibs"}

wibs

The excessive nipples would be even better for an old-school patdown, when you get to see the look of disgust as he finds another, and another, and another...

{"commentId":550216,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"wibs"}

4 votes

#1.3 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:33 PM EST

{"commentId":550181,"authorDomain":"hgottf"}

Hal-124592

I think I'm going to take a job at Airport sec now watching the XRay machine.

{"commentId":550181,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"hgottf"}

3 votes

#2 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:18 PM EST

{"commentId":550184,"authorDomain":"stacym"}

StacyM

In other news, thousands send in resumes for security tech positions at the Phoenix airport.

{"commentId":550184,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"stacym"}

26 votes

#3 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:19 PM EST

{"commentId":550297,"authorDomain":"WriterX"}

Writer X

I'm moving to Phoenix.

{"commentId":550297,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"WriterX"}

3 votes

#3.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:09 PM EST

{"commentId":550368,"authorDomain":"vas"}

vas

I hope you're a heterosexual female or a homosexual male, because you're going to see more dangly bits than anything else.

{"commentId":550368,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"vas"}

11 votes

#3.2 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:39 PM EST

{"commentId":551303,"authorDomain":"wwcarlsagand"}

wwcarlsagand

Maybe, but what percentage of of the population would you really be interested in seeing naked? And what percentage might actually disgust you so much that you would be at least temporarily sexually incapacitated?

It's not like you get to just hang out waiting for a hottie to come thru! and you can't 'unsee' something.

I'll pass on that job app.

{"commentId":551303,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"wwcarlsagand"}

3 votes

#3.3 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:13 PM EST

{"commentId":550188,"authorDomain":"Lis"}

Lis

Fantastic! Perfect! Bravo!

I was just thinking my privacy wasn't being invaded enough when travelling....

{"commentId":550188,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"Lis"}

12 votes

#4 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:20 PM EST

{"commentId":550293,"authorDomain":"neuski"}

Neuski

Is getting patted down or letting someone see your bits & pieces worse?

{"commentId":550293,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"neuski"}

#4.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:06 PM EST

{"commentId":550205,"authorDomain":"kai"}

Kai

"It's 100 percent voluntary, so if the passenger doesn't feel comfortable with it, the passenger doesn't have to go through it," TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said.

...then what's the point?

{"commentId":550205,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"kai"}

10 votes

#5 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:29 PM EST

{"commentId":550292,"authorDomain":"neuski"}

Neuski

It's only there as a test.

{"commentId":550292,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"neuski"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:05 PM EST

{"commentId":550716,"authorDomain":"zorya"}

Zorya

that's exactly what i was thinking...

{"commentId":550716,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"zorya"}

#5.2 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:55 PM EST

{"commentId":550208,"authorDomain":"firsty"}

firsty

so my arabic-language "i am not a terrorist" tattoo on my chest was a bad idea, then?

{"commentId":550208,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"firsty"}

12 votes

#6 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:31 PM EST

{"commentId":550209,"authorDomain":"RumWalker"}

RumWalker

Critics have said the high-resolution images created by the "backscatter" technology are too invasive.

Okay, holy geez. I'm sorry but most people who go through airports aren't any Jessica Alba. These security people will be looking at these x-ray pictures all day, looking at hundreds of people. I doubt that they are going to single you out and think 'hot damn I'll put this one in my porno collection' (Which they can't as the images aren't stored on the computer for more than a couple of minutes anyways).

The security officer's job is to look for possible explosives, not at you genitalia. And if this device will help prevent terrorist attacks on commercial airlines then so be it.

{"commentId":550209,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"RumWalker"}

2 votes

#7 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:31 PM EST

{"commentId":550214,"authorDomain":"firsty"}

firsty

And if this device will help prevent terrorist attacks on commercial airlines then so be it.

and it's that kind of assumption that, while easy to make, is a bit hard to swallow. come on. this isnt going to prevent anything.

{"commentId":550214,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"firsty"}

2 votes

#7.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:32 PM EST

{"commentId":550225,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

I think the idea is that it's not going to add much to the current practices -- so the extra invasiveness just seems pointless.

Surely it will do it's job -- but does the job need to be done at that level?

{"commentId":550225,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"brianford"}

4 votes

#7.2 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:36 PM EST

{"commentId":551093,"authorDomain":"incredulous"}

The Incredulous One

Are you suggesting there's something wrong with my genitalia?

{"commentId":551093,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"incredulous"}

#7.3 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:54 AM EST

{"commentId":550236,"authorDomain":"kennn"}

kennnDeleted

{"commentId":550237,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

It's 100 percent voluntary, so if the passenger doesn't feel comfortable with it, the passenger doesn't have to go through it," TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said.

*metal detector goes off"

Ok, do you want the rubdown or the X-ray naked scanner?

{"commentId":550237,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

3 votes

#9 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:41 PM EST

{"commentId":550246,"authorDomain":"stacym"}

StacyM

Cue synthesizer and bass line.

{"commentId":550246,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"stacym"}

10 votes

#9.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:46 PM EST

{"commentId":550248,"authorDomain":"TheVerbalistx"}

Mike V.

I'm suprised they've just recently installed this, I've had it in my doorways/hallways at my house for ages.

{"commentId":550248,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"TheVerbalistx"}

6 votes

#10 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:48 PM EST

{"commentId":550296,"authorDomain":"jamesmirick"}

Jim Mirick

Just more security theater -- entertaining, but almost worthless.

{"commentId":550296,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"jamesmirick"}

4 votes

#11 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:09 PM EST

{"commentId":550304,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

Actually it's worth about $100,000. Imagine what it'll be worth having one of these at every security terminal at all the major airports in America.

{"commentId":550304,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

4 votes

#11.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:12 PM EST

{"commentId":550659,"authorDomain":"jamesmirick"}

Jim Mirick

Cost might be $100,000 but the value is close to zero. Here's Bruce Schneier's analysis of backscatter technology.

{"commentId":550659,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"jamesmirick"}

3 votes

#11.2 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:08 PM EST

{"commentId":551031,"authorDomain":"merrillr"}

Robert.Merrill

A key insight from the Article Jim Mirick linked to (above):

I'm not impressed with this security trade-off. Yes, backscatter X-ray machines might be able to detect things that conventional screening might miss. But I already think we're spending too much effort screening airplane passengers at the expense of screening luggage and airport employees...to say nothing of the money we should be spending on non-airport security.

{"commentId":551031,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"merrillr"}

3 votes

#11.3 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:32 AM EST

{"commentId":550302,"authorDomain":"jamesmirick"}

Jim Mirick

EPIC's analysis: here.

{"commentId":550302,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"jamesmirick"}

5 votes

#12 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:11 PM EST

{"commentId":550333,"authorDomain":"WriterX"}

Writer X

Why couldn't they use models to use those x-rays? I think I've gone blind!

{"commentId":550333,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"WriterX"}

#12.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:24 PM EST

{"commentId":550305,"authorDomain":"climbingthe"}

Vanadium

Passenger Kristen Rodgers, 22, of Little Rock, Ark., who did not go through the screening, likened it to going to the doctor.

"If you tell yourself they have to look at that all day long, it makes yourself feel better," Rodgers said. "If it's just for security, just for 45 seconds, I think it would be worth catching somebody with something harmful."

Do I really have to comment?

{"commentId":550305,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"climbingthe"}

8 votes

#13 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:13 PM EST

{"commentId":550307,"authorDomain":"MRZK"}

MRZK.COM

It's only a test...
It's only voluntary...
It's only a shower...

{"commentId":550307,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"MRZK"}

4 votes

#14 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:14 PM EST

{"commentId":550356,"authorDomain":"zaki"}

Zaki

they want to see me naked? go ahead. waste your time staring at civilians.

terrorists could hire a big-breasted woman to fly with them, so that while they're all busy staring at the girl, they dream off while checking the next 2-3 citizens.

Inefficient and pathetic. Next thing you know they'll make you go through a lie detector next time you want to fly.

If our privacy is completely gone, then it's only fair we know exactly all about the administration. I want all the logs. What time they go to their mistresses, what time they nap on the job. It should be posted online for the world to see, updated 24/7.

@!$%# the double-standards. You want to invade our privacy? Fine. But this highway will go both ways then.

{"commentId":550356,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"zaki"}

13 votes

#15 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:34 PM EST

{"commentId":550574,"authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

tigerblade

I... I have to applaud you for that. I can only second it, for anything I could summon from the bowels of my speech centers would pale in comparison.

I can picture the log for Bush:
7:30 - 9:30, plan total world domination
9:40 - 11:15, moe's big book of letters
11:20 - 2:30, lunch
2:45 - 3, sesame street
3 - 6 boring meetings with aides
6:15 - 8:15, plotting more world domination and excuses for invasion
8:30 - 10, the sopranos
10:15, bedtime.

{"commentId":550574,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

7 votes

#15.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:24 PM EST

{"commentId":550930,"authorDomain":"kai"}

Kai

Sorry, I can't help but find it funny you think he's a blumbering idiot. The man graduated from Yale with a GPA higher than John Kerry. He may be doing some things wrong, but he's hardly stupid. He's the President of the United States. (But I will admit your comment was really funny).

{"commentId":550930,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"kai"}

3 votes

#15.2 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:18 AM EST

{"commentId":551351,"authorDomain":"trivee"}

ultramatt

REGARDLESS OF GPA EVER HEARD OF BOOK SMART AND STREET DUMB!? I KNOW LOADS OF CLUELESS VALEDICTORIANS! KNOWING HOW TO MEMORIZE STATS AND CRAM FOR AN EXAM DOESN'T MAKE YOU SMART....... GEORGE BUSH WILL GO IN THE ANNALS OF THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD AS A BAD LEADER, A LIAR, AND A SELFISH HILLBILLY... NOT THAT KERRY WOULD OF BEEN A GREAT PRESIDENT..... GORE SHOULD BE THERE FOR TERM 2!

{"commentId":551351,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"trivee"}

#15.3 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:51 PM EST

{"commentId":551371,"authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

tigerblade

Sorry, I can't help but find it funny you think he's a blumbering idiot.

I can't help but find it funny that many people think he's not a blumbering idiot. I don't mean to turn the discussion into yet another anti-bush debate, but i'll just say this one thing: he hasn't had a great record of brilliant moments. if you want to "put food on your family" and avoid a "nucular" war, then fine. just sayin...

{"commentId":551371,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

2 votes

#15.4 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:06 PM EST

{"commentId":551510,"authorDomain":"mickmcn17"}

Mick McNicholas

Yes, if there's less privacy for average Americans, no privacy for public figures. Turn the White House Toilet Cam on. That's where Bush does some of his best work, right?

{"commentId":551510,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"mickmcn17"}

2 votes

#15.5 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 2:50 PM EST

{"commentId":551915,"authorDomain":"quinnjamin"}

quinnjaminDeleted

{"commentId":550376,"authorDomain":"rsanfilippo"}

tetsuo60056Deleted

{"commentId":550485,"authorDomain":"charles4000"}

analog ninja

so how many rems will people be exposed to, not to mention the folks operating the machines...
your safety or your health!

{"commentId":550485,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"charles4000"}

1 vote

#17 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:31 PM EST

{"commentId":551077,"authorDomain":"masem"}

Masem

Just like when you go to a dentist and get x-rays. The amount you get is, for a very short time, somewhat higher than normal background radiation, but since you only get this twice a year, and the exposure time is small, it's very safe (radiation effects are a cumulative thing). The only reason that the dentists and staff generally tend to hide is that if they were to operate the x-ray next to you is they'd also get some of that radiation, but they're doing it for nearly every patient, so the cumulative effects are bad as well.

Now for this device I have no idea where the operator sits while it runs. The pictures suggest they stand close to it, but maybe there's some additional sheilding they stand behind. I will assume that part of the Phoenix test is to have the TSA workers as well as general airport employees wearing radiation badges to validate the amount of rems people are getting. But as a user, it's just like the dentist. Unless you're flying once a week, the cumulative rem you get is likely less than than you get for just walking around outside. ( I don't know the numbers, but I'm pretty sure that this would have been cleared already before it went to a public airport).

{"commentId":551077,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"masem"}

1 vote

#17.1 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:27 AM EST

{"commentId":550514,"authorDomain":"colincameron"}

Colin Cameron

Finally!

{"commentId":550514,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"colincameron"}

#18 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:44 PM EST

{"commentId":550538,"authorDomain":"vas"}

vas

I'm a big believer in privacy.

But isn't this really more about prudishness than privacy? Who knows, maybe scanner will help make our naked bodies less taboo and so help us grow up.

If what I'm saying still doesn't make sense to you, try this: Imagine picking up a Taliban newspaper and seeing an article that complained that women were forced to remove their head-to-toe burkas as part of a pre-flight identity check. What would your reaction be?

Help defeat terrorism, support the No Clothing on Airlines Act.

{"commentId":550538,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"vas"}

6 votes

#19 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:58 PM EST

{"commentId":550559,"authorDomain":"mickmcn17"}

Mick McNicholas

Vas, I think the next scandal will be the ads announcing the release of "TSA Screeners' Co-Eds Gone Wild" videos for only $19.99 on Comedy Channel.

{"commentId":550559,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"mickmcn17"}

4 votes

#19.1 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:14 PM EST

{"commentId":550603,"authorDomain":"djd"}

djd

alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.tsascans

{"commentId":550603,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"djd"}

7 votes

#19.2 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:35 PM EST

{"commentId":550797,"authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

tigerblade

Help defeat terrorism, support the No Clothing on Airlines Act.

believe me, you don't want everyone removing their clothes. you really want beer-gut-and-sweater-vest-chest-hair Larry getting down to the skin?

{"commentId":550797,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

3 votes

#19.3 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:17 PM EST

{"commentId":551114,"authorDomain":"incredulous"}

The Incredulous One

Help defeat terrorism, support the No Clothing on Airlines Act.

ok, but bring your own seat cushions.

{"commentId":551114,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"incredulous"}

1 vote

#19.4 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 9:21 AM EST

{"commentId":550578,"authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

tigerblade

The machine cannot store the images or transmit them.

that's what they're claiming, at least.

{"commentId":550578,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"tigerblade"}

3 votes

#20 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:25 PM EST

{"commentId":550934,"authorDomain":"kai"}

Kai

Cmon, unless the images are stored on a flash-rom based system, they're sitting on harddisc for some period of time. Chances are the software is also running on some off-the-shelf PC, and its only a matter of time before some bored tsa agent figures out how to do a screengrab or copy paste.

{"commentId":550934,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"kai"}

3 votes

#20.1 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:20 AM EST

{"commentId":551431,"authorDomain":"kenbrakey"}

ken7658448

And they can't trace a cell phone down to the square yard.
And they can't trac an e-mail to a specific computer.
And I'm from the government here to help you!
yeah right! :-)))))

{"commentId":551431,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"kenbrakey"}

1 vote

#20.2 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:40 PM EST

{"commentId":550703,"authorDomain":"whatwasleft"}

whatwasleft

Now anybody smuggling skinbombs is totally screwed! This is just more spin. Spicy spin, but spin:
"What the Iran thing is inciting outrage? Okay, role out the nudie machines."

{"commentId":550703,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"whatwasleft"}

5 votes

#21 - Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:44 PM EST

{"commentId":551369,"authorDomain":"duckie-91"}

damnstraight

If this is voluntary, why would the terrorists even want to go through this? They wouldn't!!! So obviously, they could make better use of the $100,000 instead of using it so some sicko or pedophile could look at other peoples naked bodies.

{"commentId":551369,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"duckie-91"}

2 votes

#22 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:05 PM EST

{"commentId":551370,"authorDomain":"webquacks"}

WebQuack StudiosDeleted

{"commentId":551561,"authorDomain":"nonxtyme"}

Chuck Stanford

I want one!!! :)

{"commentId":551561,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"nonxtyme"}

#24 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:39 PM EST

{"commentId":551849,"authorDomain":"mac-architect"}

Mark N .

Where is the rectal probe attachment stored?

{"commentId":551849,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"mac-architect"}

#25 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:41 PM EST

{"commentId":551862,"authorDomain":"mac-architect"}

Mark N .

Where is the rectal probe attachment stored?

{"commentId":551862,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"mac-architect"}

#26 - Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:47 PM EST

{"commentId":552538,"authorDomain":"bluemutiny"}

Robbie Lawrence

But the Transportation Security Administration adjusted the equipment so the pictures can be blurred in certain areas while still detecting concealed weapons.

So if I shoved a gun next to my knobend they'd never know?

Makes my life a whole lot easier.

{"commentId":552538,"threadId":"79248","contentId":"583167","authorDomain":"bluemutiny"}

#27 - Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:32 AM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"79248","isPrivate":false}

Backyard

Security Scanner Can See Through Clothes

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