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A Step Too Far For Airport Scanners

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 14, 2008

Remember the scene in "Airplane II, The Sequel" where two airport security guards get their kicks watching a special camera "undress" female passengers? We laughed about it then, but real-world technology that peeks under your clothes is now headed to Tampa International Airport, and it's nothing to smile about.

The scanners, which are expected to be operational by Christmas, electronically undress travelers and transmit their images to screeners in another room. The images are somewhat robotic in quality, but their detail is sharp enough to needlessly embarrass and invade the privacy of the traveling public.

Equally offensive is the Transportation Security Administration's plan for selecting who will be screened. TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz says the machines will be used for "random, continuous, primary screening," meaning security officers will arbitrarily select ordinary passengers to be electronically stripped.

Which begs the question: Why?

Just because a company develops some whiz-bang gadget under the banner of national security, why should our airport buy it?

Before asking us to reveal our intimate selves, TSA officials should have clearly explained the problem this machine is supposed to solve. Are current methods allowing people to smuggle weapons and explosives onboard? If so, why haven't we heard about it, and what alternatives were considered before taking this draconian step? And how would government protect the privacy of these images in this imperfect world?

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans were more than willing to inconvenience themselves to increase safety in the skies. We've taken off our shoes and belts, withstood body searches by hand and electronic wand, surrendered our nail clippers and Swiss Army knives, and had our skirts and blouses lifted by a "puffer" machine that's supposed to spot trace residue of bad substances. So far as the public knows, the expensive puffers have yet to catch someone.
Airline passengers are tired of acquiescing. When it comes to security guards wearing the equivalent of X-ray goggles, it's time to draw the line.

TSA officials should delay the use until they've justified the expense - and the indignity - to the traveling public.

People shouldn't have to let Big Brother virtually peek under their clothes to visit the kids at Christmas.

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