Backscatter X-Ray at Phoenix is here
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
Anyone know which terminal? When this was discussed previously, it was thought to be terminal 4, but I'm sure, given TSA's penchant for (thinking they are ) keeping the terrorists guessing, that could have changed between then & now...
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 172
From the articles I've seen in the Phoenix media, the local of this
"strip-search" machine is security checkpoint B in Terminal 4.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
The spin will be interesting
It will be interesting to read the spin the TSA puts on how the public accepts this invasion of privacy and I wonder if there will be a photo example on the unit so that victims will know how they will be seen in the back room.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,153
Either don't dare watch the news today or hope that Britney does something really stupid before about 4:00pm.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
[QUOTE=FliesWay2Much;727866 Either don't dare watch the news today or hope that Britney does something really stupid before about 4:00pm.[/QUOTE]
They'll be too busy covering the latest in the Anna Nicole saga anyway...
They'll be too busy covering the latest in the Anna Nicole saga anyway...
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York City/NY22
Programs: AA Platinum 2.3MM (Lifetime PLT)
Posts: 5,285
TSA Press Release Today
[I do not work for the TSA. Please do not flame me.]
TSA Unveils Backscatter Technology Testing at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
PHOENIX, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today unveiled an operational test to evaluate backscatter technology at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). This new technology can detect weapons, explosives and other metallic and non-metallic threat items concealed under layers of clothing without physical contact, and TSA has applied multiple protections for passengers' privacy.
"Privacy and security are not mutually exclusive, and backscatter has potential to be a valuable tool in our layered security approach," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "There will be opportunity for continued public dialogue as we see how this technology works in the airport setting."
During test operations, passengers will participate on a voluntary basis only. In addition to usual effectiveness and suitability assessments, TSA will examine operational issues, including throughput, privacy considerations, training, safety of use and perceptions by the traveling public.
Passengers volunteering to participate in the operational test will be asked to stand for two separate scans, one facing the system and one facing away. A Transportation Security Officer will guide the passenger through the process, and each scan will take less than 10 seconds. The entire screening process will take less than a minute.
TSA's privacy-filtered image looks like a chalk outline of the person's body, and shows any concealed items including weapons, explosives and other metallic and non-metallic threat items. The officer attending the passenger will not view the image, and as an additional measure, the officer viewing the image will be remotely located and unable to associate the image with the passenger being screened. Once viewed remotely, the image cannot be stored, transmitted or printed.
X-ray backscatter technology uses a narrow, low intensity x-ray beam, scanned over the body's surface at high speed. The amount of x-ray radiation used for backscatter technology is equivalent to approximately 15 minutes of exposure to naturally-occurring background radiation from sources such as the sun's rays.
For more information about backscatter, please visit our Web site at http://www.tsa.gov/.
Media Contact: TSA Public Affairs, 571-227-2829
Source: Transportation Security Administration
CONTACT: TSA Public Affairs, +1-571-227-2829
Web site: http://www.tsa.gov/
TSA Unveils Backscatter Technology Testing at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
PHOENIX, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today unveiled an operational test to evaluate backscatter technology at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). This new technology can detect weapons, explosives and other metallic and non-metallic threat items concealed under layers of clothing without physical contact, and TSA has applied multiple protections for passengers' privacy.
"Privacy and security are not mutually exclusive, and backscatter has potential to be a valuable tool in our layered security approach," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "There will be opportunity for continued public dialogue as we see how this technology works in the airport setting."
During test operations, passengers will participate on a voluntary basis only. In addition to usual effectiveness and suitability assessments, TSA will examine operational issues, including throughput, privacy considerations, training, safety of use and perceptions by the traveling public.
Passengers volunteering to participate in the operational test will be asked to stand for two separate scans, one facing the system and one facing away. A Transportation Security Officer will guide the passenger through the process, and each scan will take less than 10 seconds. The entire screening process will take less than a minute.
TSA's privacy-filtered image looks like a chalk outline of the person's body, and shows any concealed items including weapons, explosives and other metallic and non-metallic threat items. The officer attending the passenger will not view the image, and as an additional measure, the officer viewing the image will be remotely located and unable to associate the image with the passenger being screened. Once viewed remotely, the image cannot be stored, transmitted or printed.
X-ray backscatter technology uses a narrow, low intensity x-ray beam, scanned over the body's surface at high speed. The amount of x-ray radiation used for backscatter technology is equivalent to approximately 15 minutes of exposure to naturally-occurring background radiation from sources such as the sun's rays.
For more information about backscatter, please visit our Web site at http://www.tsa.gov/.
Media Contact: TSA Public Affairs, 571-227-2829
Source: Transportation Security Administration
CONTACT: TSA Public Affairs, +1-571-227-2829
Web site: http://www.tsa.gov/
#12
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Marriott Plat
Posts: 943
Look at the pictures on the TSA homepage at http://www.tsa.gov and then look at the photos at http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/screen...ckscatter.shtm. Apparently TSA can't decide what exactly will be shown. Groan.
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,441
#15
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: NJ
Programs: Retired-CO Former Long-time Plat, Now a Kettle, Hilton Gold (Thanks AMEX)
Posts: 475
From Yahoo News:
Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., viewed the machine in use at the airport Friday and said privacy concerns have been addressed because the screening is voluntary.
"It does provide a higher level of security," Mitchell said. "Hopefully it will speed the process up. The fact is that we want to be efficient.
I wonder if Rep. Mitchell would be saying the same thing if a TSA agent was looking at the image of his wife or mother.
Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., viewed the machine in use at the airport Friday and said privacy concerns have been addressed because the screening is voluntary.
"It does provide a higher level of security," Mitchell said. "Hopefully it will speed the process up. The fact is that we want to be efficient.
I wonder if Rep. Mitchell would be saying the same thing if a TSA agent was looking at the image of his wife or mother.