X-ray backscatter security scanners

[OakLeaf]

You know, I think they purposely make you feel embarrassed as punishment for not going through their porn tube.

I agree, and that's nothing new. It's the same reason elderly people, particularly elderly women, have been profiled all along for more intrusive searches.

But that's another thread...

[Cataboo]

I flew out of DC a couple weeks ago - there were machines but they weren't using them. Same with flying out of Fort Lauderdale yesterday.

I would have opted out if they wanted to use one. I find the entire thing ridiculous, especially since the machines can't find anything in cavities or anything - so really... what exactly are these machines doing that a metal detector & some sort of explosive sniffing dog or swiping machine couldn't do? But I love traveling too much to decide not to ever travel again because of them.

Re - motion sickness in cruises - I get motion sick, but most especially when I don't have fresh air or wind - so if I stay on deck on a cruise, I don't have much problems with it. I make sure to get an upper level room because it's down in the bowels of the ship that I really have issues.

[KnottedYet]

My mom had an interesting experience in an x-ray backscatter machine a couple weeks ago.

She has a lot of scar tissue UNDER the skin of her belly from decades of insulin injections. (no visible scars)

The backscatter radiation penetrated below the level of her skin and reflected off those subdermal scars, setting off an alert on my mom. She got a pat-down of her torso before they would let her through.

There's a bit more penetrating radiation in that procedure than we might think.

[Biciclista]

Knot
thanks for starting this thread and sharing your experiences (and those of your mom!!!)
Even though I am not an incest survivor, nor a cancer survivor, I am pretty unhappy about the aspect of getting zapped by their machines as well as getting groped by a man or a woman. I am not sure why I am supposed to be comforted because the groper is guaranteed to be the same sex as me. Why is that less intrusive?
I used to look happily towards my next flying experience, I first flew in 1957 and then intercontinentally in 1964. Sadly, I find myself wanting to avoid ever flying again.

[Becky]

My mom had an interesting experience in an x-ray backscatter machine a couple weeks ago.

She has a lot of scar tissue UNDER the skin of her belly from decades of insulin injections. (no visible scars)

The backscatter radiation penetrated below the level of her skin and reflected off those subdermal scars, setting off an alert on my mom. She got a pat-down of her torso before they would let her through.

There's a bit more penetrating radiation in that procedure than we might think.

Wow.....I never considered the scar tissue thing (and I have plenty). I guess it's just as well that my insulin pump can't go through a backscatter machine. Either way, I'm getting a pat-down :/

[jessmarimba]

Every time I fly out of Richmond (which has the wave mm machines) I end up with a secondary pat-down of my torso because of an "anomaly." Well, the machine isn't supposed to be able to penetrate skin, but the patdown always begins in the area of my back hardware.

I don't trust these things! But I can't avoid flying, either

[Owlie]

Is it bad that I'm half hoping I don't get an interview at one of the schools I'm applying to because I'd have to fly? I hated it before the backscatter machines/"enhanced pat-downs" were introduced.

[Mr. Bloom]

Since I've got no special needs or issues, I've got no problem with the security. While I recognize that some find offense in the "pat down" alternative, I'm guessing that after a couple of hours of it, it's as unpleasant for the "patter" as it is the "pattee".

I'm glad that I'm not a TSA agent:

• No upside
• No gratitude
• Heavily regimented
• Stressful monotony
• Stereotypes galor

I'm glad we have the TSA...I'm sorry we have a world that requires a TSA.

I hate flying for plenty of reasons...but security is no where near the top of my list

[Jolt]

Is it bad that I'm half hoping I don't get an interview at one of the schools I'm applying to because I'd have to fly? I hated it before the backscatter machines/"enhanced pat-downs" were introduced.

I just got back from a couple of job interviews that I had to fly to...didn't have to go through the scanner or get patted down at all. I did initially get picked to go through the scanner in Boston but they were kind of backed up so they ended up just sending me through the regular metal detector. Then on the way back I was flying out of Duluth, MN which has a very small airport that doesn't even have the scanner. Those small airports are kind of nice...not so much crowding and chaos, and it doesn't take forever to get to the gate!

[OakLeaf]

More:

http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2...rport-scanners