Backscatter

[Nat]

I just read an article about a TSA employee who attacked a colleague for making fun of the size of his junk during a body-scanning machine training session.

That got me to thinking about the whole backscatter x-ray thing. I am not cool with the idea of people I haven't met and do not want to meet seeing basically my naked body in order for me to get on a plane. What's next, body cavity search? It feels extremely violative to me. Moreso if men are the ones at these machines - but I'm not sure if there is a female-only policy on this one(?)

Anyway, I'm curious how y'all feel about this issue.

[Dean Thoreau]

.................question is,,,will they soon be used for something terribly kinky?
you know like that medical instrument known as a tens unit???

If it cant be used for something worthwhile,,then....blech....they need to invent something else....

[JustJo]

Ugh...what a choice.

I have no issues flying...rather like it in fact. I have zero confidence in the TSA regardless of the equipment they have to use...and certainly want to be safe when I fly.

However, if these are real images from the scanner then I am NOT comfortable with this. I'm femme...none of the complicating issues that many of our trans friends face, but still, for me....no. I'm not even comfortable wearing a two piece bathing suit at the beach. I'm certainly not comfortable with strangers at the airport seeing me naked. I don't care if it's their job, whether they make fun, are turned on, bored silly....whatever. No.

I will walk through the metal detector, they can use the wand, and if they feel the need I will accept a pat search from a female officer. See a pretty clear image of me naked? No.

[Apocalipstic]

I could care less for myself. I fly internationally often and if someone wants to laugh at what I look like naked, have at it.

However,

I do know it freaks out my trans friends and agree with Tuffy that the Israeli's do way better than the US does in keeping people safe and maybe we should take some tips from them.

So I don't know really.

[Medusa]

Oh thank JEEBUS this thread isn't about what I thought it was!!!!

Yanno, I get the need for this type of scan but I will feel incredibly violated if I am ever in a situation to be scanned and might reconsider flying because of it.

I am mostly concerned too for young teenage girls being subjected to x-rays at the whims of pervy security agents or people who are exceptional (like having no legs or a birth defect) being scanned for curiosity or entertainment by these agents.

The MOST concerning thing to me? In this day and age of ever-increasing technology, I do NOT want to see scans of my personal body outline up on the internet on "HeadlessFatChicks.com", nor would I want to see scans of the men I love up on "LookieAtTheSmallPenis.com"

Again, I get the need for...something....but damn.

[Nat]

To me it's definitely the sense of violation that bothers me - rather than a fear of being laughed at. I feel that taking a photo of a person's naked body without their consent is akin to assault.

And just as Medusa mentioned teen girls being ogled, little children may also end up being ogled and having their pictures traded over the internet.

The age of consent varies from state to state, but at any age now, you have naked pictures taken by government officials?

And then the jokers at the TSA are making fun of each others' bits? Those sound like trustworthy folks. I'm sure people with that much discretion would never ever abuse their power or whip out their iphones to capture the most notable scans.

Thankfully at this point in time, it's not yet mandatory here in the US. Here, we can choose to be publicly groped if we feel squeamish about the xray. Or we can choose not to fly and our worlds can shrink significantly.

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by Medusa

Oh thank JEEBUS this thread isn't about what I thought it was!!!!

Yanno, I get the need for this type of scan but I will feel incredibly violated if I am ever in a situation to be scanned and might reconsider flying because of it.

I am mostly concerned too for young teenage girls being subjected to x-rays at the whims of pervy security agents or people who are exceptional (like having no legs or a birth defect) being scanned for curiosity or entertainment by these agents.

The MOST concerning thing to me? In this day and age of ever-increasing technology, I do NOT want to see scans of my personal body outline up on the internet on "HeadlessFatChicks.com", nor would I want to see scans of the men I love up on "LookieAtTheSmallPenis.com"

Again, I get the need for...something....but damn.

You know you made me go look don't you?

[Scorp]

Do what you got to do to keep us safe. So go on and X-RAY.

Personally, every time I get on airplane, I feel as though it may be my last time on one. I hate flying and always have, even before terrorism, but it doesn't stop me from going anywhere.

It still amazes me that these huge pieces of equipment have the ability to stay up in there air. In any case, that's neither here nor there.

As far as terrorism and folks sneaking shit on planes in any way they possibly can, these scanners best be 100%. I'm sure it's going to be a matter of time before catastrophe hits again. I hope I'm wrong, but...I don't think that will be the case.

So sad what we have to do and go through because of such hate and power hungry fuckers. What the world has to come to. There will never be peace...

That's a whole other thread....

[Nat]

[Andrew, Jr.]

For a supervisor to make fun of one of his students...no. I think that the student has a right to make and file a lawsuit against him. Today is a different world due to terrorism and 9/11. I voted for these scanners. I would rather be safe, and catch someone in the act.

When I go thru most airports I practically have to undress. I'm use to it. I have my shoes, belt, all my change, wallet, cell phone, and anything else possible that could set off the security alarm off and in a plastic dog dish. I have been wanded at least 3 or 4 times, and someone usually calls for backup. I give up. I pack, and I wear a jock strap or a harness. I also carry a letter in my pocket from my doctor stating that I am trans just in case. I have been thru the ringer.

I know that doctors make fun of patients. People make fun of those who are obese, disabled, or different. Why should I be shocked that another group is doing this? I am just waiting for adults to act like adults, but I think I will be waiting a very long time for that to happen from my pov.

Good thread Nat.

[Nat]

Okay, the TSA's site states, "It is important to note that this technology is always optional to passengers." So that's somewhat of a comfort.

Andrew, what I'm beginning to think is that this is exactly what adults act like. This behavior comes standard on lots of models.

[Andrew, Jr.]

Yep, you aren't kidding. I throw my arms up in utter frustration.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by Nat

Okay, the TSA's site states, "It is important to note that this technology is always optional to passengers." So that's somewhat of a comfort.

Andrew, what I'm beginning to think is that this is exactly what adults act like. This behavior comes standard on lots of models.

As someone who flies about every 4-6 weeks, I would not mind, as it will make traveling much faster. I will never see the person behind that monitor, and could care less because it's their job, and what fun can that be all day!!!I came from the medical field where modesty is respected in various ways.

The UVA and UVB radiation from a jog in the sun is greater than any primary beam or backscatter you could ever receive from a scanner, and both are good for you.Discounting the radiation you know you get at 30,000 feet.

The scanners are the best technology out there. Invasive as it may seem, I understand the need, and will not be opposed to being scanned, versus body patted. I too pack and am body patted and asked to step into the glass enclosure every time I fly.

My girl must schedule extra travel time, as she is body checked EVERY time she flies. Her luggage is opened and completely scanned. She submits her hands, and feet for swipes, When she walks long distances she wears an airbrace due to a nasty ankle injury many years ago.

So, she wears a removable brace, which they ask if she will remove. She always wears a skirt or dress, and has not been asked yet to remove it. . Is it also ethnic?. She is olive complected and dark,(Lebanese/Irish), and I believe profiled.

On one of our trips, I , fully "packed"made it through the gauntlet, Then waited for her. It was almost 45 minutes. I watched while they went over her body, Head to Toe again and again, then called other's over while she sat, nervously waiting.They took everything out of her carry on, and her computer bag. She stood, she sat, and stood again while she was forced to stand there in front of everyone coming through the scanners passing her by.

So, as we travel alot I would not mind, as it will make it much faster, and it can not see the color of anyone's skin.

[theoddz]

This is just yet another reason that I am becoming more and more reluctant to fly.

I have the issue of being trans and not having had bottom surgery. I also have 2 prosthetic titanium knees which always set the scanner and wand alarms off. I have to get wanded every single time and because I present as male, the person who wands me and pats me down is always a bio male. The 4 times I have flown anywhere, since I had top surgery and had my name and gender markers all changed, I was patted down by (bio)males who did run their hands over my crotch area. It was very uncomfortable for me and I did not choose to reveal my trans status at the time, either. I don't think I should have to reveal that since it's really a non-issue.

These full body scans are intrusive and humiliating enough, without being trans (and not having bottom surgery) and having disability issues going on at the same time. I avoid flying at all costs. I'd love to travel more than I do, but it's very difficult for me. Add to all this the fact that I'm a large/tall guy and have trouble fitting my legs in seats that afford very little leg room, much less a wide enough seat and, well, the entire ordeal turns out to be very unpleasant for me.

~Theo~

[apretty]

i am probably speaking from a place of privilege... i'm willing to consider that, because i don't have a strong feeling either way.

so some guy gets a thrill seeing my boobies, it's one more cost of the society that we live in--do you have any idea how many cameras are on the public streets, and how many times a day your image is captured..?

so, i shrug.

[Nat]

Originally Posted by apretty

i am probably speaking from a place of privilege... i'm willing to consider that, because i don't have a strong feeling either way.

so some guy gets a thrill seeing my boobies, it's one more cost of the society that we live in--do you have any idea how many cameras are on the public streets, and how many times a day your image is captured..?

so, i shrug.

Where would your limit be? Would you be cool with a body cavity search too?

[Nat]

[apretty]

Originally Posted by Nat

Where would your limit be? Would you be cool with a body cavity search too?

i wouldn't be cool with a cavity search, the lines are already hours long through security--unless they were throwing in a pap smear, then i could just plan for it and schedule the extra time.

[Kobi]

I refuse to fly anymore. I dont know who is worse....potential terrorists or those trying to save us from them.



And, I believe all this extra "screening" is a waste of time and resources. We are always reacting after the fact rather than nipping the problem in the bud.

[Linus]

As a trans person, and given the behaviour of TSA, I hate the whole idea. I've been to some of the busiest airports and they actually are pretty quick with passing people through (I travel enough to know). It's the jacked up fees that result in people bringing a ton of luggage with them onto the plane that slows this whole process down.

As for Israel's method of air travel security, I'm all for it --- if I can ascertain for a fact that discrimination won't be a factor in the decision to let someone fly or not. The reality is that the US remains and will always remain a very polarized nation in regards to the things that society and individuals like and dislike.