Powerful X-ray machine debuts in Phoenix

AP via MSNBC ^ | 2/23/07

[paudio]

MESA, Ariz. - A new X-ray machine for detecting weapons and explosives on airline passengers makes its debut today in Phoenix.

The so-called “backscatter” device will be used at one checkpoint in one terminal at Sky Harbor International Airport.

The machine visually strips off clothing, although a Transportation Security Administration spokesman says the image it projects looks more like a chalk drawing than a real person.

[paudio]

Wow...

[massgopguy]

I see a lawsuit coming for irradiating people.

[big'ol_freeper]

ping

[Jaxter]

Old technology...

[BigBobber]

"It's 100 percent voluntary, so if the passenger doesn't feel comfortable with it the passenger doesn't have to go through it," Melendez said.

That's a relief. It's good to know terrorist bombers can "opt out".

[xcamel]

Passengers not amused...

[red-dawg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk5oJM-Zh7Q

[DBrow]

Non-radiation workers can legally be exposed to fields of less than 2 millirem per hour (2x 10^-5 sievert).

The AS&E machine exposes people to much less than that, about what you'd get from sitting in the plane at 28,000 feet.

You'd have better luck suing a supermarket for zapping you with microwaves from the automatic door opener, or suing the airline for not providing a shielded cabin*.

ACLU will be all over this because of the perceived loss of privacy (wouldn't want someones private bomb (or stash) discovered).

*Look for Elle McPherson in the attachment to see how seriously some people take the airline radiation dose

http://www.acpsem.org.au/branch/wa/Newsletters/2003Jun.pdf

[saganite]

I'm sure it's voluntary but if you refuse you get the full body cavity search. Airline travel just gets more and more appealing.

[Ieatfrijoles]

The name 'backscatter' is a little too New York for me.

[I_like_good_things_too]

Hmmm... I'm flying into PHX next month. I must make sure to check it out.

[6ppc]

Now that's backscatter! ;^)

[D-Chivas]

Why not put it at Logan Airport in Boston? That's where all the hijackers got through with their box cutters.

[Elsie]

What ARE you?

Some kind of PROFILER???

[ASOC]

ROTFLMOA

You owe me a new keyboard - post a warning next time!


Sensitive FLIR eh?

[gcruse]

"I'm sure it's voluntary but if you refuse you get the full body cavity search. Airline travel just gets more and more appealing.'

Or appalling...

[GSlob]

I'd wait for the machine capable of not merely "visually stripping", but of physically evaporating as well. Say, a perp shows with a bomb - stronger flash of light, and not only the perp, but his bomb, clothes and everything else about him atomizes into a foul-smelling mist, and is sucked out into an exhaust hood.

[The Iceman Cometh]

Looks like Hillary is going to personally screen every passenger.

[thiscouldbemoreconfusing]

I see a lawsuit coming for irradiating people.

They, the TSA, had best hope and pray this does not come before my court. I see a huge violation of personal rights here. But, alas I shall keep my impartiality.

[thiscouldbemoreconfusing]

Why not put it at Logan Airport in Boston? That's where all the hijackers got through with their box cutters.

Ted Kennedy flies in an out of Boston, now think about the poor TSA employee looking at those x-rays. Hazard duty pay for sure, probably a nervous breakdown.