The puffers originally had a seven second read time. When they got out to the field the time began to increase to 15 seconds then finally 35. Obviously having everyone take 35 seconds would have caused long lines. TSA advised GE they would not accept another shipment of the puffers until the problem was corrected. Smiths Detection also had a puffer but it was much bigger and needed additional space for the air compressor. Smiths bought the GE division that made the puffers and they haven't redesigned either version.

As far as the WBI or as they are called now AIT (Advanced Imaging Technology) the backscatter and Millimeter wave both work well but had to be scaled back due to the privacy concerns. There is another technology that does as good if not better job without the privacy issues, the Thermal Body Scanner.

http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/...ivacy-concerns

http://www.isconimaging.com/iscon1000d.html

The Thermal Scanner has just gone into the TSA for certification.

The President has ordered 150 initial AIT machines then 300 addition to be deployed by the end of 2010. 1000 by 2011.
Hopefully the Thermal Body Scanner can be certified quickly and turn the tide of deployment away from the AITs.