Nekkid pictures
Monday, February 23 2009
My last post reminded me that I had meant to write something about millimeter wave radiation. The Transportation Security Administration has started using millimeter wave detection in some airports; I got tapped for it the last time I flew.
I knew that millimeter wave produces the sorts of images in this post – basically, nekkid pictures – so I refused the scan. The TSA officers were very courteous and professional about it; I gather their hiring and training processes have improved greatly over the last couple years. A male officer took me aside and let me explain the medical nature of my concerns. He then gave me a thorough pat-down, which somehow bothers me less than picture-taking. At least I got some eye contact.
If you have similar concerns about your privacy, be aware that this system is in use. It might be reassuring to know two things (from the TSA site) I didn’t know when I got tapped:
- Images will be deleted immediately once viewed and will never be stored, transmitted or printed (the passenger imaging units have zero storage capability)
- Millimeter wave technology produces images which are viewed by a Transportation Security Officer in a remote location
Both are probably true, but I’m still leery. In any case, I wasn’t punished or significantly delayed for refusing the scan, and I would probably refuse it again.
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