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How Things Work: TSA scanners use electromagnetic waves for detection

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How Things Work: TSA scanners use electromagnetic waves for detection

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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 2:56 am
  #1  
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How Things Work: TSA scanners use electromagnetic waves for detection

http://thetartan.org/2011/2/28/scitech/tsascanners

Cutesy little propaganda piece, if you ask me
ElizabethConley is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2011 | 6:42 am
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It's a TSA love fest
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 7:36 am
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Propaganda aside, is science education in America so horrible that your average person doesn't understand that X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation? This is basic physics, here. I can understand people not knowing what "millimeter wave" is, but X-rays? Come on!
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 7:42 am
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According to the image, it works on Lego figures



If you are a Lego figure, don't try to bring prohibited items through a check point....
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 8:04 am
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Originally Posted by IslandBased


If you are a Lego figure, don't try to bring prohibited items through a check point....
Aww, I thought they looked like a pair of Kewpie dolls.



TSA procedures are particularly recommended for those kewpies who are into...err, well now, how do we put this? Ah yes: "discipline".

Gotta go folks. Clearly I'm giddy with coffee, and beginning to explore my "obnoxious" side. I better leave before I'm banned!
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 8:08 am
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Originally Posted by ElizabethConley
http://thetartan.org/2011/2/28/scitech/tsascanners

Cutesy little propaganda piece, if you ask me
Heck, yea! But have you read the comments? I don't think they're fooling anybody with this fluff!
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 9:16 am
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Originally Posted by IslandBased


If you are a Lego figure, don't try to bring prohibited items through a check point....
Speaking of Legos... I'm trying to figure out how to ship a childhood collection of Legos (robotics Legos included) to a young nephew near DEN without causing a terminal dump somewhere (assuming cargo is screened).

Plastic (plastique?), wires and small motors?? I imagine that combination of elements could look scary on an X-ray.

My son outgrew the collection and I just found out my nephew is a Legos freak.
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 9:30 am
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The main point that critics of this technology like to raise is that such a device is an invasion of peoples privacy; the scanners can show people without their clothes, information some people feel uncomfortable sharing
I believe that most here would disagree.
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 11:31 am
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The new scanners, officially called the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), purport to make the jobs of the TSA employees easier by revealing if the person being scanned has any potentially dangerous objects concealed on their person.
a.k.a. Drugs
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 12:26 pm
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Originally Posted by loops
Speaking of Legos... I'm trying to figure out how to ship a childhood collection of Legos (robotics Legos included) to a young nephew near DEN without causing a terminal dump somewhere (assuming cargo is screened).

Plastic (plastique?), wires and small motors?? I imagine that combination of elements could look scary on an X-ray.

My son outgrew the collection and I just found out my nephew is a Legos freak.
UPS. Or USPS Flat Rate Boxes if they fit. I'd worry more about theft than the way the components will look on xray.
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 6:20 pm
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Originally Posted by IslandBased


If you are a Lego figure, don't try to bring prohibited items through a check point....
Now thats funny... You stole my post.
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Old Feb 28, 2011 | 7:04 pm
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Originally Posted by InkUnderNails
UPS. Or USPS Flat Rate Boxes if they fit. I'd worry more about theft than the way the components will look on xray.
Lego my Lego

Thanks for the advice. It'd be a big box (the kid did well on Holidays). I wonder if I can specify "ground" transport and not have to worry about causing an incident?
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