Pornographic or protective? Heated debates ensue over full body scanners (Safety)

New travel restrictions are in place within multiple airports across the nation. People who fly are now subject to a full body scan, referred to as Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). These new scanners can detect both metallic and nonmetallic weapons that may be concealed by many layers of clothing. If the traveler wishes to forgo the scan, he or she will instead undergo a thorough physical pat down.

With the addition of these scanners and the potentially subsequent pat down, the nation has seen an uprising from those who find the technology to be an extreme invasion of personal privacy.

In the choice between safety and privacy, the answer is fairly straightforward: safety. Taking the risk of letting through harmful objects or chemicals just because someone is bashful is ridiculous.

In fact, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken measures to reduce any possible humiliation of passengers. The TSA officer (TSO) who sees the body scan image never sees the passenger, and the officer assisting the traveler never sees the image.

Senior K-12 physical education and criminal justice major Darci Peterson has proceeded through the scanners before, and doesn’t see what the big deal is.

“I think that while many people feel that they are invasive, basic human anatomy is the same,” Peterson said. “Chances are that the person monitoring has most likely seen what I have, anatomically speaking.”

Really, what is there to be embarrassed about? Everyone is human, therefore most people have the same basic anatomy. People shouldn’t be worried about what the TSO is seeing behind the scanner. They’ve seen the same body parts on the people ahead of them, and will continue to see them on the travelers to follow. They’re going to see thousands of appendages every day.

In terms of safety, Peterson admits that we will probably never be completely safe from threats but still feels more willing to fly knowing that AIT exists.

“I feel much safer knowing these (scanners) exist … I’m willing to protect my country by giving up a little bit of privacy,” she said.

According to a poll by CBS news, four in five people agree and accept the new safety measures that are now taken pre-flight. It just turns out that the smaller group has the loudest voice.

Kimi Smith, junior geosciences and hydrology emphasis major, is not bothered by the scanners and wonders at the opposition to them.

“I don’t really see how they (the scanners) are ridiculous — do people really want to travel with other people carrying weapons? This confuses me,” Smith said. “If we have better technology to catch the criminals or terrorists or whatever you like to call them, then why not utilize it?”

As for the alternative, sure, it’s not necessarily pleasant to be on the receiving end of a pat down. But think about how the TSO feels. Picky fliers are not the only ones uncomfortable with the procedure. Unfortunately, TSOs are facing much backlash from travelers, enduring name-calling and threats. People don’t realize these officers are not doing pat-downs to get off, they are simply doing their job.

The point is there’s really not an alternative to safety precautions if people want disaster-free flights. It should be absolutely mandatory to either go through the body scanners or receive a pat-down. The assured safety of travelers should be at the forefront of TSA’s mission until humanity decides to stop terrorizing.

To read an article against full body scans click here.

Short URL: http://arbiteronline.com/?p=59545

Posted by Christine Ritchie on Dec 9 2010. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.