Posted on 02/03/2011 7:14:55 AM PST by rawhide
America was outraged when full-body scanners, which showed revealing pictures of air passengers, were introduced. Now, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has bowed to pressure to introduce new software that will show just the outline of the person travelling.
The new scanner software, being trialled in three U.S. airports, will reveal any abnormalities on a generic male or female figure that looks similar to a chalk outline
In another change the new software will only alert staff when a questionable object is detected and those being scanned will be able to see their image on a screen as they exit the machine.
The TSA came under fire when the full-body scanners, designed to detect hidden explosives and weapons, were introduced in 2007.
Passengers were left embarrassed and dismayed by the graphic scans of their bodies, which left little to the imagination. Civil liberties groups argued the scanners were unconstitutional and an invasion of privacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
That's like English, only different.
I suppose the blue button is for boys, and the pink one is for girls?
Watch them being sued to include a purple button.
I’m pretty sure a hamster could operate that.
I thought Incompatino was hetting rid of the color coded stuff?
blek I’m flying out of Logan tonight. Not looking forward to the TSA. I do think I’ll take the computer scan rather than the feel up. They won’t even buy dinner.
That's like English, only different.
Thank you for my first real laugh of the morning.
Wear one of these - it should simplify things.
:^D
When all this first came up, I wondered why they just didn’t do this to begin with - it seems like a fairly short putt, programming-wise.
I wonder if the TSA wasn’t just being too clever by half. You gotta admit they did make it abundantly clear to the world that they can read the tatoo on your naughty bits. That should make terrorists think twice, you’d think.
Nah... they’re just stupid.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin testing new software on its advanced imaging technology (AIT) machines that enhances privacy by eliminating passenger-specific images and instead auto-detects potential threat items and indicates their location on a generic outline of a person, TSA Administrator John Pistole announced today. TSA will test the new software at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) beginning today, February 1, and at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in the coming days.Soneone has been practicing extra hard at writing gobbledygook."We are always looking for new technology and procedures that will both enhance security while strengthening privacy protections," Pistole said. "Testing this new software will help us confirm test results that indicate it can provide the same high level of security as current advanced imaging technology units while further enhancing the privacy protections already in place."
The new software will automatically detect potential threat items and indicate their location on a generic outline of a person that will appear on a monitor attached to the AIT unit. As with the current version of AIT, the areas identified as containing potential threats will require additional screening. The generic outline will be identical for all passengers. If no potential threat items are detected, an "OK" will appear on the monitor with no outline.
By eliminating the passenger-specific image associated with the current version of AIT, a separate TSA officer will no longer be required to view the image in a remotely located viewing room. Through removing this step of the process, AIT screening will become more efficient, expanding the throughput capability of the technology.
TSA worked with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) and private industry to develop the software, and began testing it at the TSA Systems Integration Facility in the fall of 2010.
AIT safely screens passengers without physical contact for both metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives. Currently, there are nearly 500 imaging technology units at 78 airports nationwide, with additional units planned for deployment this year. The new software is being tested on millimeter wave AIT units currently in airports, with plans to test similar software on backscatter units in the future.
To learn more, visit www.tsa.gov/ait.
Contact: TSA Public Affairs, +1-571-227-2829
SOURCE Transportation Security Administration
By eliminating the passenger-specific image associated with the current version of AIT, a separate TSA officer will no longer be required to view the image in a remotely located viewing room.
Uh-oh, layoffs coming from the TSA.
I dealt with the scanner in SeaTac last week. Was really happy that my return flight was from a very small airport still using magnetometers. I may start flying out of small airports more, if I can arrange it.
Uh-oh, layoffs coming from the TSA.
My position on the glamour of air travel: There is nowhere that I want to go that I cannot take myself in my automobile. Inside of which, I can carry my nail clippers. And my M1911A1. Just as soon as more people begin to approach transportation in this manner, I predict that more TSA people will be mooching off of unemployment benefits until such time as they develop skills by which they can actually produce something meaningful for society.
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