DCA SkyPriority / full body scanner
#16
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
Priority lines at BOS funnel to 2 lines, one with full-body scanner and one with traditional. However, they feed everyone through full-body from both lines except when it backs up.
I always refuse full-body ("opt out") and instead endure a fairly thorough groping. My reason isn't about privacy or radiation, but rather that going through the scanner requires that you can't see your property on the belt at all times - in fact there is an uncomfortably long time where it is out of sight. Not safe given the proclivity of things walking away from there.
I always refuse full-body ("opt out") and instead endure a fairly thorough groping. My reason isn't about privacy or radiation, but rather that going through the scanner requires that you can't see your property on the belt at all times - in fact there is an uncomfortably long time where it is out of sight. Not safe given the proclivity of things walking away from there.
#17
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MEM
Programs: AA - PP
Posts: 887
I always refuse full-body ("opt out") and instead endure a fairly thorough groping. My reason isn't about privacy or radiation, but rather that going through the scanner requires that you can't see your property on the belt at all times - in fact there is an uncomfortably long time where it is out of sight. Not safe given the proclivity of things walking away from there.
I'd be happier if they'd just bring the pre-cleared thing back. I didn't really need it last time it was around, but would definitely take advantage of it now.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Detroit
Programs: Northwest Platinum
Posts: 1,533
Friday afternoon shuttle, not using the scanner in the Sky Priority line.
With regard to not being able to see your property- I hadn't considered that. The one time I was sent to the full body scanner, I kept my wallet on me as I always do, but they made me give it to them and they went through my wallet and gave it back.
They should have a video screen so that we can watch our bags while we go through the machine.
With regard to not being able to see your property- I hadn't considered that. The one time I was sent to the full body scanner, I kept my wallet on me as I always do, but they made me give it to them and they went through my wallet and gave it back.
They should have a video screen so that we can watch our bags while we go through the machine.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MEM
Programs: AA - PP
Posts: 887
Friday afternoon shuttle, not using the scanner in the Sky Priority line.
With regard to not being able to see your property- I hadn't considered that. The one time I was sent to the full body scanner, I kept my wallet on me as I always do, but they made me give it to them and they went through my wallet and gave it back.
They should have a video screen so that we can watch our bags while we go through the machine.
With regard to not being able to see your property- I hadn't considered that. The one time I was sent to the full body scanner, I kept my wallet on me as I always do, but they made me give it to them and they went through my wallet and gave it back.
They should have a video screen so that we can watch our bags while we go through the machine.
#20
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MEM
Programs: AA - PP
Posts: 887
I've noticed now that a couple months have passed that they've gotten a pretty decent rhythm with the scanners now (usually). I've been nudie-scanned 3 or 4 times now and while it obviously takes longer than just the metal detector, it wasn't by much.
#21
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EP, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 1,001
When I fly out of DCA on Monday mornings, they use the scanner but also have the standard metal detector for the same line. If someone is being scanned, they simply have people use the regular machine until the scanner is clear. The first time they implemented it at DCA the line took FOREVER. Doesn't seem so bad now.
#22
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Paris
Programs: AF, UA, BA/IB, VS, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 276
i am very passionate about refusing to do this.
i personally feel it is an invasion of privacy and as many others have mentioned dangerous with the radiation levels that it exposes you to.
you can opt out of it and i hope that most people do, in an effort to possibly get these things removed.
it will slowly be forced on us the same way that removing our shoes was... previously you could 'opt out' of that and now there is no way you will be getting through security without taking them off.
just my .02cents
i personally feel it is an invasion of privacy and as many others have mentioned dangerous with the radiation levels that it exposes you to.
you can opt out of it and i hope that most people do, in an effort to possibly get these things removed.
it will slowly be forced on us the same way that removing our shoes was... previously you could 'opt out' of that and now there is no way you will be getting through security without taking them off.
just my .02cents
#23
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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#24
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: The World! Home Base = DCA/IAD
Programs: HHonors, Hyatt GP, Marriott, Varying Levels w/ UA /AF /DL /SQ /AA
Posts: 2,664
The groping does seem over the top and a real violation for those who opt out of the body scanner thingy.
I'll opt out as well, but then I enjoy a nice session of inappropriate touching by people I don't know.
And...what happens when a parent wants a child to opt out? I shudder to think, seriously.
Good luck to all of us.
I'll opt out as well, but then I enjoy a nice session of inappropriate touching by people I don't know.
And...what happens when a parent wants a child to opt out? I shudder to think, seriously.
Good luck to all of us.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,151
The HPS, Health Physics Society, (a group of extremely smart and passionate scientists who take their work very seriously) estimated the dose from a single WBS to be about 0.005 millirems. To put that in perspective, the HPS has also calculated dose to air travelers during solar minimums is about 0.4 millirem per hour of flight (at 30,000 ft, higher altitude would be a larger number).
So, if the dose received during an WBS is unacceptable to you, then you should also not be going on any flights longer than 45 seconds at 30,000 ft, in which time you would receive 0.005 millirem.
Ref:
http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q444.html
http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q8440.html
You mean you don't want to be subjected to potentially 20x the radiation they initially claimed was emitted from these machines?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...r-thought.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...r-thought.html
Let's say they are right, and despite the sensationalist reporting and potential erorr in their measurements, it is 20x the above estimate. This means that you are getting as much radiation as you receive on a 15 minute flight at 30,000 ft.
/rant
If people want to debate privacy or public safety concerns that is respectable, but please don't start with all the radiation fear mongering.
#26
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#27
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
And you still have to take off your shoes... correct?
Eight years to built the A-bomb.
Nine years to put a man on the moon.
Yet... after 9 years, we are still walking barefoot through airports.
Something that would not be permitted in a health care setting... or a restaurant.
Eight years to built the A-bomb.
Nine years to put a man on the moon.
Yet... after 9 years, we are still walking barefoot through airports.
Something that would not be permitted in a health care setting... or a restaurant.
#28
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
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Posts: 2,197
I used the scanner at YUL in March. Guess it's a good thing I don't plan on having kids!
(For the record, that was the only time I've used it an I plan to avoid it from now on).
(For the record, that was the only time I've used it an I plan to avoid it from now on).
#29
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Paris
Programs: AF, UA, BA/IB, VS, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 276
This is complete nonsense. Complete and utter nonsense.
The HPS, Health Physics Society, (a group of extremely smart and passionate scientists who take their work very seriously) estimated the dose from a single WBS to be about 0.005 millirems. To put that in perspective, the HPS has also calculated dose to air travelers during solar minimums is about 0.4 millirem per hour of flight (at 30,000 ft, higher altitude would be a larger number).
So, if the dose received during an WBS is unacceptable to you, then you should also not be going on any flights longer than 45 seconds at 30,000 ft, in which time you would receive 0.005 millirem.
Ref:
http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q444.html
http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q8440.html
They don't state what original dose estimates they are referring too but I'll ignore that.
Let's say they are right, and despite the sensationalist reporting and potential erorr in their measurements, it is 20x the above estimate. This means that you are getting as much radiation as you receive on a 15 minute flight at 30,000 ft.
Then you should also stop eating banana's, which provide about 0.01 mrem for the "average" banana. (Bananas contain naturally radioactive potassium)
/rant
If people want to debate privacy or public safety concerns that is respectable, but please don't start with all the radiation fear mongering.
The HPS, Health Physics Society, (a group of extremely smart and passionate scientists who take their work very seriously) estimated the dose from a single WBS to be about 0.005 millirems. To put that in perspective, the HPS has also calculated dose to air travelers during solar minimums is about 0.4 millirem per hour of flight (at 30,000 ft, higher altitude would be a larger number).
So, if the dose received during an WBS is unacceptable to you, then you should also not be going on any flights longer than 45 seconds at 30,000 ft, in which time you would receive 0.005 millirem.
Ref:
http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q444.html
http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q8440.html
They don't state what original dose estimates they are referring too but I'll ignore that.
Let's say they are right, and despite the sensationalist reporting and potential erorr in their measurements, it is 20x the above estimate. This means that you are getting as much radiation as you receive on a 15 minute flight at 30,000 ft.
Then you should also stop eating banana's, which provide about 0.01 mrem for the "average" banana. (Bananas contain naturally radioactive potassium)
/rant
If people want to debate privacy or public safety concerns that is respectable, but please don't start with all the radiation fear mongering.
I dont know what it does to my body and to be honest find it unnecessary.
Cell phones are also safe however what they emit can pop a kernel of popcorn (those who dont believe, youtube it.) How many millirems do you think are in that?
#30
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: CHI/MSP
Programs: Delta Platinum, United Prem Exec
Posts: 1,334
And you still have to take off your shoes... correct?
Eight years to built the A-bomb.
Nine years to put a man on the moon.
Yet... after 9 years, we are still walking barefoot through airports.
Something that would not be permitted in a health care setting... or a restaurant.
Eight years to built the A-bomb.
Nine years to put a man on the moon.
Yet... after 9 years, we are still walking barefoot through airports.
Something that would not be permitted in a health care setting... or a restaurant.
But people just accept it. They say they only travel a couple of times a year, and yeah it's a nuisance, but it's tolerable if it keeps us safe. But it doesn't keep us safe. Just because they tell us it keeps us safe doesn't mean it actually is.