New Airport Security Pat Downs Too Close For Comfort

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airport-scannerIf you already think the government probes into your life a little too much, you might want to stay away from the airport – because security screening is about to get a little more personal.

As airports across the country roll out the Transportation Security Administration’s new, high tech full body x-ray machines, an alternative is being offered to those who feel that the scanners don’t leave enough to the imagination.

Anyone who refuses to subject themselves to the full body x-ray will be subject to the TSA’s new, old-fashioned alternative: a pat down.

“We would do a full body pat down as an alternative, to ensure that there are no threat items on the person,” said Russell McCaffrey of the TSA.

While some passengers may be concerned about the revealing nature of the machine’s images, some travelers say that when it comes to invading her privacy, the TSA’s hands-on, open palm, sliding approach is worse.

“I feel there’s more privacy infringement with the pat down than there is with a full body scan,” said traveler Barb Lenihan.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Andreca Frater, a LaGuardia passenger. “That’s invading people’s privacy. I understand what they’re trying to do, but that’s borderline.”

Others disagree.

“I don’t care at all,” said Connecticut resident Rose McCallum. “I like to be safe than sorry.”

The TSA’s position is that adopting a full body pat down procedure helps detect hidden and dangerous items, including explosives.

“Passengers should continue to expect an unpredictable mix of security layers that include explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, among others,” the agency said in a statement.

{CBS 2/1010 WINS/Matzav.com}


5 COMMENTS

  1. TSA has no clue, and is going about their job completely incorrectly. All of this body scanning and pat down is pure window dressing, politics, and job security for TSA.

    It’s only b’Chasdei Hashem that we haven’t suffered a serious attack.

  2. And if some terrorist got past because there wasn’t a pat-down and blew up a plane with a few hundred people – everyone would be screaming about lax security.

    If you want security, you give up some of your privacy. If you want privacy, you give up some of your security. Like most things in life, it’s a tradeoff.

    BTW, have you ever gone through an EL AL security check if they think you look suspicious?

  3. To #4:
    The operative words in your last sentence are “if they think you look suspicious.” El-Al has no problem with ethnic screening. Anyone who looks like a terrorist is treated as a potential one.
    In the US, however, they are not willing to even consider ethnic screening. Everyone will be put through either full body scanning or invasive pat-downs. Whether your name is Moishe Schwartz or Ahmed al-Bakshish. That’s the difference.

    Until the US faces the reality of ethnic screening, they will always be at least one step behind the terrorists.

    Hashem yishmor.

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