X-ray backscatter security scanners

[OakLeaf]

Thanks for that, sundial. I'd heard the same thing, but only repeated second or third hand by people with no expertise - hard to convince others when I'm just repeating it myself.

[sundial]

Emily, I fear the gov't doesn't really have our best interest at heart.
Oak, I hope people become more aware of the dangers of the backscatter devices. The more people are educated about such matters the better.

[channlluv]

That letter is amazing. It never occurred to me that the operators of these machines might be able to adjust the radiation level to improve the image. Holy cow. And that the level of radiation exposure is more concentrated in the skin and immediately adjacent tissue...I can't imagine any man agreeing to put himself at that kind of risk for testicular cancer, and I sure don't want my daughter or me going through the machines. I have a history of skin cancer.

I don't think I'll be able to fly until these machines are gone.

Roxy

[NbyNW]

I flew from Canada to the US and back last weekend and was expecting all kinds of inconvenience -- in my past experience they've taken the US security measures quite seriously. But this time, no pat-down, no backscatter. Just the normal stuff. I was surprised.

Still, I'm grateful for this thread for raising my awareness about what people have been experiencing these past few months. Who knows what TSA will be doing for Christmas!

Given the option, I'd take a train. Much more comfortable! But not an option right now.

[pll]

Thanks for posting a link to the letter sundial. I flew to Seattle last Wednesday, was selected for the backscatter at O'Hare, and I opted out. Thus, I was patted down. The TSA woman was very respectful, asked about any sensitivities and explained every step before carrying it out; the process was tolerable. I requested fresh gloves, though.

What is most annoying about security in the US is how reactive the process is: shoes, underwear... I think having bomb sniffing dogs in security would be more effective than any X-ray or "enhanced pat down". Dogs would also be friendlier.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for posting a link to the letter sundial. I flew to Seattle last Wednesday, was selected for the backscatter at O'Hare, and I opted out. Thus, I was patted down. The TSA woman was very respectful, asked about any sensitivities and explained every step before carrying it out; the process was tolerable. I requested fresh gloves, though.

Glad to hear the patdown wasn't too bad. I'm leaning towards doing that instead of the backscatter if I get picked for that the next time we fly. I'd rather face a couple of minutes of embarrassment than risk my health for something non-essential.

[sundial]

Pll, you're welcome and I'm glad that you had a TSA agent that was respectful of your modesty.

Here's another letter raising concerns about the backscatter devices. This is written by Rep. Holt (D-NJ) who is a PhD physicist:

http://holt.house.gov/images/stories...11.19.2010.pdf