CWT - Technology - July 2008

Technology - July 2008

Airport body scanners now in use
Late last year airports began testing the use of body scanners as a way to improve security while eliminating pat-down searches. As of this writing, scanners are now in use in at least 10 airports, being used to screen randomly selected passengers. Albuquerque, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Lon Angeles, Miami, and New York Kennedy airports are all using at least one machine.

These machines are said to be less invasive than current security methods. The technology creates a shaded black-and-white image to allow scanners to see any object or area that may be differently shaded than the body. Privacy is protected by shading faces, and images are deleted immediately after being viewed—but the images show enough detail to provide accurate security.

Passengers who have questions about the process are encouraged to ask those questions. Additionally, passengers may decline to use the new technology and opt for a pat-down instead. As the machines become more commonplace, the goal is that education about the process will increase, security will be tightened, and lines in the airport should move more quickly.

Sources: ABC News, CWT Traveler