Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Full body scanner operators complain about "pervert" accusations
The introduction of full body scanners at the airport checkpoint has created quite a lot of controversy. Passengers are obviously worried about having to show their naked body to a random stranger, and others worry that images of young children will make their way onto pedophile networks. Now, a new group has come forward complaining about the scanners - the security screeners themselves. The screening staff at Heathrow airport are furious that people assume they'll get a kick out of seeing blurry images of our genitals.
One airport scanner had the following to say:
"The idea that we are going to get kicks out of seeing a blurry gray image of people's bodies is frankly offensive. It's about as sensible as saying the act of patting down a passenger is perverted. We are here to do a job. We have bombs and knives on our minds and that's it."
Honestly, I had never thought of it that way - but it still doesn't put me at ease. Sooner or later, somewhere in the world, one screener will violate our trust, and naked photos of a celebrity or child will make their way onto the Internet.
In the US, the full body imaging equipment has been set up in a way that the security operator can not see the person standing in the imaging machine - he or she will only see their naked image. The TSA assured travelers that images can not be stored or sent, but CNN already discovered documents that prove otherwise.
Image credit: AFP/Getty Images
Filed under: Europe, United Kingdom, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Trollkiller Jan 23rd 2010 5:23PM
If they don't like being called perverts for working the Nude-O-Scope, then they need to stop working the Nude-O-Scope. Ta-da problem solved.
Al Jan 23rd 2010 11:48PM
And yes, patdowns are perverted if they're given "randomly" in the absence of an alarm. I also find it offensive that you guys can't come up with any other way to secure a plane other than viewing the "blurry gray image" of people (including children).
verdegrrl Jan 24th 2010 9:40PM
The official statement is that genitals are blurred, and yet if you watch this video showing the TSA and machine at work, you can clearly see the images are not blurred, and in fact can be enlarged for even more detail. This combined with conflicting statements saying that images are not to be stored, yet implying they can be stored or sent or intercepted in certain cases, makes it troubling in light of the fact they cannot see low density materials such as powdered explosives used by the panty-bomber. So the machines are ineffective to a large degree.
Nudity warning - especially from about 0:40 onwards.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=972_1262283908
Emland Jan 25th 2010 10:11AM
I worked for TSA in 2002/2003 and saw examples of the full body scanner in training. The images look like charcoal drawings and show every nook and cranny. Even if the machine is set up not to store images, that doesn't mean someone can't take a shot of the screen with a cell phone.
One of my main reasons of leaving the TSA was because I was hired as a baggage screener then after a year told I had to train for checkpoint screening. They simply did not pay me enough to feel up smelly armpits all day.
A lot of people complain about receiving the pat down, but let me tell you, giving them isn't a whole lot of fun, either.
I could see this scanner being abused, badly.
Tommie J Mar 7th 2010 8:37PM
What can be done about the body-scanners?
1. Address the security personnel as Perv. Like any other nickname that people like them should have no problems with. Act perplexed if they complain, explaining to them to just do their jobs without the editorial justification. And complain about them complaining about being called perv.
2. Support groups that can create realistic content, like on real scanners, and educate the public about these people. If public officials complain at press conferences ask them if they masturbate to the scans. As a legitimate public concern. Or if they have any knowledge of the security officers doing the same. And what can be done about this problem of of security personnel pervs.
3. Generally treat the security personnel disrespectfully. Especially once clear. Taunt them with suggestive disparaging commentary. Like, "Bet you can't wait to see some (fill in appropriate taunt ..."
4. Publish accounts of what happened when you got scanned. Including the leering looks from the security personnel.
5. Definitely NEVER address them as Officer. Calling them officers is an insult to the non-pervs in the field. Never say thank you. Or please. Or any other common decency. For want of good insulting terminology, like pig, perhap neutral words would work. Such as referring to them as "uniformed person," or "badged person." Or something else equivilent
Eventually this will create a crisis and the machines will be removed. Or largely go out of practice.