FlyerTalk Forums - TSA plans to replace the walk-through metal detect with MMW

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- - TSA plans to replace the walk-through metal detect with MMW (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/944990-tsa-plans-replace-walk-through-metal-detect-mmw.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boggie Dog (Post 11627503)

You will be disappointed.

You still have to remove your shoes even while being peered at by some TSA pervert hidden away from public view.

I meant in a happy future. I'll do just about anything to keep my shoes on, its the single biggest thing that slows me down in airport security. I'm the guy that takes his watch and cellphone off when checking in. Not the kettle that acts like its the first time he's been in an airport.

ETA: We have the scatter scanners here in Indianapolis and I've been through it a couple of times. Is not a big deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 11655067)

I don't disagree with you about emerging technologies. However, tell me who in either house of Congress is going to push a bill through, with this economy, that will pay for a whole body imager to be installed at every airport in the country when the present WTMDs work just as well. Compare the cost of the whole body imager with the cost of improved x-ray screening technologies for passenger carry-ons and checked baggage, with the cost of getting cargo screening underway, etc. (And this is where I predict that the BDO program---see my response in another thread---is probably going to die a quiet death. It simply isn't cost effective.) I see Congress authorizing money for those programs before spending another dime on additional whole body imagers.

To tell you the truth, I am quite surprised that TSA received funding for this initial deployment of whole body imagers. I still maintain that they will only be deployed to a limited number of high-profile airports such as the ones I mentioned earlier.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

What high profile airports are you talking about? TPA already has at least one and the process does not happen the way you describe.

You cannot say "no, no MMW for me" and then just go through the metal detector. Your refusal of the MMW means you'e immediately getting a full body frisk. There is no option to just do the metal detector.

...help me out here, now. As I understand it, paxs are not allowed to leave the full body imagers until ALL the kernels of corn in their Kippie bag have popped or until the smoke stops issuing from under their fingernails, right?

Do they still have to take off their shoes, too?

Yesterday my niece (who is a senior in high school) flew out of DCA and, although she didn't alarm, she was told to go into the MMW. No pat-down option was given and she didn't realize that a picture was being made. So much for informed choice. My view of why she was singled out doesn't have anything to do with randomness.

ND Sol:

Surely you have posted here long enough (and imparted enough information) to realize the TSA doesn't give a rat's a$$ about your view or, more specifically, about the view of your niece. First of all she's a minor, and easy fodder, and secondly, she's a pax.

TSA: Dignity and respect, pal. Truth and Integrity or Benedict Arnold, Inc.

Which one makes more sense to YOU?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND Sol (Post 11655709)

Are you saying she was selected because she is attractive? (No disrespect is intended, I just want it to be crystal clear as to your opinion on why she was selected.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollkiller (Post 11655777)

Are you saying she was selected because she is attractive? (No disrespect is intended, I just want it to be crystal clear as to your opinion on why she was selected.)

I hope that was not the case, but that is what comes to mind given what we know about this machine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND Sol (Post 11655844)

I hope that was not the case, but that is what comes to mind given what we know about this machine.

I think she would have to fly several more times before we could conclude that was the reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollkiller (Post 11656021)

I think she would have to fly several more times before we could conclude that was the reason.

Or post pictures so we can make that determination. :D

I'm just kidding, of course. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy (Post 11656067)

Or post pictures so we can make that determination. :D

I'm just kidding, of course. :)

Keep that up and you will be qualified to be a MMW screener, all alone in a dark room.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollkiller (Post 11656021)

I think she would have to fly several more times before we could conclude that was the reason.

Probably a better data point would have been to watch the TSA crew at that checkpoint and see if a discernible pattern existed.

Watching a TSA crew at a checkpoint? Sounds suspicious to me! Assume the position! BTW, that your niece over there? SHE looks suspicious, too...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollkiller (Post 11656120)

Keep that up and you will be qualified to be a MMW screener, all alone in a dark room.

I'm not sure if that's an incentive or a punishment. :D

New, and very graphic, images of the body scan in this Newsweek article. I, for one, will NOT be going through the scan, nor with my three daughters!

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettr...your_priv.html

My understanding is that after a pax goes through the scan the image is immediately deleted from the computer. I'm not a computer wizard but was told by one that even though you delete something from your computer that it is still on your hard drive until it is copied over.