A group of New Jersey legislators have joined civil liberties advocates and ordinary Americans in the rapidly growing opposition to the Transportation Security Administration’s full body screening machines at airports across the country. And just in time for the busiest travel season of the year.
Critics claim the new machines not only emit a dangerously unknown amount of radiation, but say submitting to the scan is the equivalent of walking through the security checkpoint naked. And privacy advocates are looking into the legalities of screening images of minor children, which could go against existing laws of child pornography.
The pilot’s union, including retired U.S. Airways hero pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is also speaking out against the new intrusive security measures. TSA officials have required that even pilots submit to the screenings, forcing them to choose between a “virtual strip search” or an invasive pat-down only moments before being handed the controls of a 975,000 pound gasoline-filled missile, otherwise known as a jumbo jet. But despite announcing yesterday plans for “some new policies in the near future” regarding the screening process for pilots, TSA administrator John Pistole is standing firmly behind the new security measures for passengers, saying his agency has been searching for a balance between security and privacy.
“Less than one year after al Qaeda’s failed attack last Christmas Day, it is irresponsible to suggest travelers opt out of the very screening that may prevent an attack using non-metallic explosives,” Pistole said. “This technology is not only safe, it’s vital to aviation security and a critical measure to thwart potential terrorist attacks.”
Passengers have the option of foregoing the virtual strip search of a full body scanner. But their only alternative then is to submit to an overly-intrusive 5 minute pat down, which some say feels more like a sexual grope. In protest, organizers have scheduled next Wednesday, November 24th, as NATIONAL OPT-OUT DAY , hoping to convince as many travelers as possible to use the enormously busy travel day to deny the TSA an intrusion into their naked privacy. They believe if enough passengers select the 5 minute pat down over the scanner machines, it will delay and cripple travel so profusely, TSA officials will have no alternative but to make changes. And it appears one California man has already taken them up on the offer.
John Tyner opted out of a full body scan recently at the San Diego International Airport, prompting TSA officials to single him out for an enhanced pat-down by a security official. As his inner thighs and buttocks were thoroughly searched through his clothes, Tyner attributed the pat down to sexual molestation, pointing out the actions would be illegal if anyone other than the government felt him up in that manner. Tyner went on to say he would prefer only his wife or doctor touch him in some of the places the TSA searched on his body. But when Tyner said “If you touch my ‘junk’ I’ll have you arrested,” he was quickly ushered out of the airport, given a full refund, denied flight for the day, and could face a fine up to $10,000.
I'm traveing on Tuesday for Thanksgiving and I can't decide if I'll go through the new scan machine or let them pat me down. Neither choice is the best. In a way I understand them wanting to be safe and protect everybody traveling. But I can't get comfortable with naked images of me floating around somewhere. Not to mention the kids who will be traveling too like you said. Should be interesting to see how many people do the opt out thing. Just glad I'm not traveling on that day.