Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > Travel Safety/Security > Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate
Reload this Page >

Did TSA removed MMW at security checkpoints?

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Did TSA removed MMW at security checkpoints?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 27, 2026 | 6:50 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
10 Countries Visited
Conversation Starter
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Rapids Reward
Posts: 40,108
Did TSA removed MMW at security checkpoints?

I did not realize that TSA were removed MMW from security checkpoints. Did they change new bodyscanner? When I went through security today. When I'm done at work this morning and I went to PHX airport to see my old coworker. I have non-SIDA badge. I still work at airport. When it did change? When TSA has been removed MMW from security checkpoints? I wasn't there for a month. Haven't you anyone who did not see old MMW scanner that they used to be for over a decade now. Did they replaced new hand down scanner?
N830MH is online now  
Old Jan 28, 2026 | 2:30 pm
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
500k
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,985
Originally Posted by N830MH
I did not realize that TSA were removed MMW from security checkpoints. Did they change new bodyscanner? When I went through security today. When I'm done at work this morning and I went to PHX airport to see my old coworker. I have non-SIDA badge. I still work at airport. When it did change? When TSA has been removed MMW from security checkpoints? I wasn't there for a month. Haven't you anyone who did not see old MMW scanner that they used to be for over a decade now. Did they replaced new hand down scanner?
Was there a different type of body scanner?
Boggie Dog is offline  
Old Jan 28, 2026 | 6:50 pm
  #3  
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
10 Countries Visited
Conversation Starter
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Rapids Reward
Posts: 40,108
Originally Posted by Boggie Dog
Was there a different type of body scanner?
Yes, could be. They have a different type for the body scanner. You no longer put your hands up in the old scanner. You can put your hands down.
N830MH is online now  
Old Feb 8, 2026 | 2:08 pm
  #4  
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,424
Perhaps it was one of these:
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/pro...A83QY0ZdfNJI5t

They are slowly getting deployed across the country.
Mats is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2026 | 5:29 pm
  #5  
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SW Michigan, ex SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,001
Originally Posted by Mats
Perhaps it was one of these:
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/pro...A83QY0ZdfNJI5t

They are slowly getting deployed across the country.
I had to go through one of those at PDX when the WTMD chose me.
Rare is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2026 | 10:18 pm
  #6  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
30 Countries Visited
1M
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 22,651
Sadly, many airports seem be switching over to the Rohde and Schwarz devices. LGA, EWR Terminal A, DEN, MCI , and many others are getting them. I found a recent press release saying they were also going into "select" world cup city airports this year.

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/abo...6-1603520.html
FriendlySkies is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2026 | 11:06 am
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
500k
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,985
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
Sadly, many airports seem be switching over to the Rohde and Schwarz devices. LGA, EWR Terminal A, DEN, MCI , and many others are getting them. I found a recent press release saying they were also going into "select" world cup city airports this year.

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/abo...6-1603520.html
Why is it sad?
Boggie Dog is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2026 | 2:43 pm
  #8  
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
10 Countries Visited
Conversation Starter
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Rapids Reward
Posts: 40,108
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
Sadly, many airports seem be switching over to the Rohde and Schwarz devices. LGA, EWR Terminal A, DEN, MCI , and many others are getting them. I found a recent press release saying they were also going into "select" world cup city airports this year.

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/abo...6-1603520.html
Yes! This is one! I saw it in a few weeks ago. I went through security at my PHX airport. They were replaces MMW. I visit at airport to see my old coworker. Only one time a month, but not all the time. I still work at Paradies, but I dont have any time to visit airport. I still work at warehouse.
N830MH is online now  
Old Feb 9, 2026 | 4:58 pm
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
30 Countries Visited
1M
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 22,651
Originally Posted by Boggie Dog
Why is it sad?
With the L3/Leidos MMW units, it's been much easier to find ways to avoid having to opt out and just go through the WTMD due to those requiring the passenger raise their arms and submit... I've never been through one of the "scanners" and haven't had to opt out since 2012, so it certainly makes trips more pleasant. As more of the Rohde and Schwarz devices appear, it will require more opting out.
FriendlySkies is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2026 | 6:29 pm
  #10  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
500k
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,985
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
With the L3/Leidos MMW units, it's been much easier to find ways to avoid having to opt out and just go through the WTMD due to those requiring the passenger raise their arms and submit... I've never been through one of the "scanners" and haven't had to opt out since 2012, so it certainly makes trips more pleasant. As more of the Rohde and Schwarz devices appear, it will require more opting out.
I have difficulty raising one arm but in principle don't object to MMW scanners. It's not the same as the older Strip Search Machines that delivered ionizing radiation with images so graphic a person had to be hidden away in a closed room to view them. Pre Check should help avoid these newer machines most days but I'm betting that TSA will phase out the WTMD in due time.
SPN Lifer likes this.
Boggie Dog is offline  
Old Feb 9, 2026 | 8:28 pm
  #11  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
30 Countries Visited
1M
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 22,651
Originally Posted by Boggie Dog
I have difficulty raising one arm but in principle don't object to MMW scanners. It's not the same as the older Strip Search Machines that delivered ionizing radiation with images so graphic a person had to be hidden away in a closed room to view them. Pre Check should help avoid these newer machines most days but I'm betting that TSA will phase out the WTMD in due time.
Perhaps I will come around at some point, though I've been against them for such a long time and just have a desire to be subjected to it yet.. I could totally see WTMDs being phased out as seen in other airports around the world, such as those in Australia, parts of Europe, the UK and others, especially with TSA trying to have technology developed for screening in motion.
FriendlySkies is offline  
Old Feb 10, 2026 | 6:10 am
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
500k
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 18,040
What gives me pause about the walk-through metal detector (WTMD) is the possibility I may need a dental implant.

A good thing about millimeter wave (MMW) scanners that they give far less radiation than x-rays, though there are still privacy concerns.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millimeter_wave_scanner
SPN Lifer is offline  
Old Feb 10, 2026 | 7:38 am
  #13  
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
30 Countries Visited
2M
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 24,795
Originally Posted by SPN Lifer
What gives me pause about the walk-through metal detector (WTMD) is the possibility I may need a dental implant.
My dental implant has never set off a metal detector in hundreds of times of going through security checkpoints in the US and abroad (Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East).
SPN Lifer and N830MH like this.
TWA884 is offline  
Old Feb 13, 2026 | 4:00 pm
  #14  
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
10 Countries Visited
Conversation Starter
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Rapids Reward
Posts: 40,108
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
Perhaps I will come around at some point, though I've been against them for such a long time and just have a desire to be subjected to it yet.. I could totally see WTMDs being phased out as seen in other airports around the world, such as those in Australia, parts of Europe, the UK and others, especially with TSA trying to have technology developed for screening in motion.
I did see LHR T5 still has MMW, but there is no new scanner to be install. Only for secondary screening if you WTMD alarm. That's exactly what I saw!
N830MH is online now  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.