I'd really like to know what type is being used at SJU. I searched on the web and couldn't find any info. I hope it is the L-3 ProVision millimeter wave scanners, as I don't want to get doses of radiation from backscatter X-ray scanners each time I go through SJU which I do quite often.
Also, if radiation is a concern with the Rapiscan Systems backscatter X-ray scanners, what is the point of using them in addition to millimeter wave scanners, rather than using millimeter wave scanners exclusively? From what I heard, the TSA wants to support competition, however, L-3 Communications is no longer the only maker of MMW scanners. Smiths Detection, who was infamous for those puffer machines that were once used at some airports, has introduced their own MMW scanner, however, the TSA has yet to award them a contract. Why not replace those Rapiscan backscatter X-ray scanners with Smiths Detection MMW scanners? Doing so would allow competition to be maintained by having two suppliers of MMW scanners (L-3 Communications and Smiths Detection). The TSA did so with the puffer machines where the two suppliers were Smiths Detection and GE Security.
It's surprised me that no one has stated the obvious so far. If a backscatter machine only goes through the clothing, couldn't any idiot think to hide explosives under the skin?
People are willing to turn their entire bodies into explosives. If your local piercing freak can get bull horns implanted under his scalp, I guarantee someone can get enough explosive compounds implanted.
What are these puffer machines people keep speaking of?
The puffer machines were these machines that fired jets of air on passengers to release and detect explosives and illegal drugs that someone could be hiding. However, dust and humidity severely impacted the reliability and performance of these machines, and sometimes these machines falsely detected explosives/drugs. Thus, the project was scrapped well before they were rolled out on a nationwide scale. ABQ once had two GE EntryScan puffer machines at the rightmost lanes until 2009.
BTR does not have them and there are no plans to install one yet.
Thanks for this. I was planning to fly in to New Orleans to spend time with my family, but I don't mind an extra hour commute (and a visit to Canes #1) to avoid being fondled and/or dosed with radiation!
The puffer machines were these machines that fired jets of air on passengers to release and detect explosives and illegal drugs that someone could be hiding. However, dust and humidity severely impacted the reliability and performance of these machines, and sometimes these machines falsely detected explosives/drugs. Thus, the project was scrapped well before they were rolled out on a nationwide scale. ABQ once had two GE EntryScan puffer machines at the rightmost lanes until 2009.
Were these also referred to as T-Scanners? Don't some major airports in China have these still?
I could've sworn that I went through a backscatter machine at SFO about three weeks ago. It was down at the far end of the United terminal, right at the connector to the Int'l Terminal. I was "randomly selected" to go through it then (didn't know any better) and am pretty sure it wasn't MMW.
I seemed to be cursed on this trip, as on the way back from Maui I got "randomly selected" for a pat-down, for no reason at all! Grr...
I could've sworn that I went through a backscatter machine at SFO about three weeks ago. It was down at the far end of the United terminal, right at the connector to the Int'l Terminal. I was "randomly selected" to go through it then (didn't know any better) and am pretty sure it wasn't MMW.
I seemed to be cursed on this trip, as on the way back from Maui I got "randomly selected" for a pat-down, for no reason at all! Grr...
Did it look like two large blue boxes that you stood between, or did it look like a large tube that you stood inside? If it was the former, then it was a backscatter X-ray scanner; if it was the latter then it was an MMW scanner.
