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Poll Opened: October 23, 2008
Poll Closes: October 27, 2008
By Baird Helgeson The Tampa Tribune
Travelers at Tampa International Airport this morning will be the first to experience the new full-body imaging scanners that detect weapons, explosives or other dangerous items.
The "millimeter-wave" technology allows security officers a glimpse underneath the clothing of randomly selected passengers.
Here are answers to a couple question travelers might have:
I wear medical equipment and don't want to be embarrassed publicly. Can I opt out of the scan?
No. People with medical equipment like colostomy bags can tell the security officer they'd prefer a private pat-down for medical reasons. They'll be taken to a private room where they can be more specific about their medical condition.
Does this machine use radiation?
No. It's not an X-Ray. It uses radio frequency waves to draw a three-dimensional image of the body. The energy projected by the scanners is 10,000 times less than what a cell phone transmits.
Source: Transportation Security Administration.
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Reader Comments on this poll
Posted by ( Right_On ) on October 24, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
LOL Tyler...that's the one where the little india boy chases the tiger around the tree until the tiger turns into butter...
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Posted by ( JackNelsonSteward ) on October 24, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Trib ... WAKE UP!!!
You put a question: I wear medical equipment and don't want to be embarrassed publicly. Can I opt out of the scan?
Your first response is: NO
Then you describe a process where the individual OPTS OUT OF THE SCAN FOR A PRIVATE SEARCH!!
Is ANYONE down there AWAKE?!!
I understand that you guys do not like this technology and applying it in this way, but at least be ACCURATE in reporting on it.
Screening people with various medical devices has been going on for years. It has nothing to do with this machine.
No possible use of this machine could embarrass someone with medical equipment.
OK?
NO one will be embarrassed in any way by being screened by this machine. All the images are anonymous. No one but the officer looking at the images ever sees them.
and ... congratulations for not including the word -peek- in this particular article. Nice.
The machine does not look -under- clothing. It looks THROUGH them. It is a minor difference but -under- connotes something inaccurate.
ANY passenger can opt out of that scan.
If you are chosen to be screened that way and you do not want to be, just say -Pat me down, please-
No problem at all.
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Posted by ( ANTICRIME ) on October 24, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's a shame that the airlines had to raise fares to pay for all the security measures they have put in place, not to mention the inconvenience to passengers. BUT the bottom line is that you can relax, a little more, while looking out your planes window at 30,000 feet! THANKS to the FEW LUNATICS in the world, the MAJORITY have to suffer!
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Posted by ( MrBobbleHead ) on October 24, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The sad part about this "Illusion of Security" is that I can still smuggle a perfectly LEGAL Compact Disc on board, crack it in half and use it as a weapon much like those pesky box cutters. Get real people. I think I will just show up next time in my Speedo carrying my suit in it's garmant bag, advising TSA I will get dressed on the other side. Oh and NO that's not a sock packed with C4 in my speedo either.... :-)
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Posted by ( RadsMD ) on October 24, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
if tsa spent less time searching for drugs and more for weapons, the skies would be safer
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Posted by ( geile77 ) on October 24, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No thanks for now, I'll give them the honor of "feeling me up" for a search.
Nobody who travels heavily has any faith in this TSA behemoth...it's a joke in terms of security and a cushy blue collar jobs program that shouldn't even exist. It's only there to make the disneyland traveller feel safe.
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Posted by ( ret_ed_irol ) on October 24, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
You already have to go through so much security, one more little thing isn't going to make a differance. It's just an inconvinence you have to go through for the convinence of flying.
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Posted by ( tomcat ) on October 24, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Everybody should opt out of the scan so that thelines are so long for pat downs they all go crazy.
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Posted by ( dishy ) on October 24, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
If I jiggle a little extra next time I go through security do you think I'll get a tip?
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Posted by ( gs985 ) on October 24, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
TSA is so awesome. I feel so safe now from the terrorists because of their pretty blue uniforms, and fancy "cop-looking" badges.
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Posted by ( TOOPRETTYforprison ) on October 25, 2008 at 8:03 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)