ABIA to Get Full-body Scanners

Silly Jilly/Flickr

Get ready for your close up! It looks like Austin-Bergstrom is set to be the 10th Texas airport to install those infamous full-body scanners (accompanied by pat-downs)! According to the Statesman, ABIA is set to receive the machines next spring. The Transportation Security Administration, which purchased a fleet of 450 this year, previously didn’t place one in the Austin airport because of worries that the floor couldn’t support the weight of the machines. A $215,000 city-funded “consultant report” found the equipment actually weighs less than previously thought, so plans to bring one to ATX are moving forward.

A large part of the controversy that has surrounded these machines has been aimed at the invasive nature of the pat-downs. The machines, which take a full-body scan of the passenger while blurring the face, supposedly serve to notify TSA agents of any items on a passenger which might possibly be considered a threat to flight security.

In addition to the scanners, ABIA officials told the Statesman that the airport should expect to receive two more X-ray machines to help alleviate long lines to get through screening. Since a total stranger has now seen you naked, we recommend you pick up a little Salt Lick BBQ before boarding. Your fellow passengers may hate you but who cares? You’ll be safe and full.

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By Katie Friel in News on December 7, 2010 2:43 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Jon

Always opt-out of invasive searches. If you absolutely MUST fly, then at least make it loud and clear that you believe TSA is violating your privacy.

Or to really mess with them, try the opposite: when they're grabbing your junk, make them think you're getting off on it.

oh steph

On a recent trip to India, I witnessed one of my best friends reduced to tears after the invasive pat down that she received from a TSA official at the Austin airport. My friend was wearing a long skirt, and the agent not only groped her breasts, but also her entire groin from the front and the back. It was horrifying and I can't believe this is what our country has been reduced to. I will not stand for these indecencies and neither should anyone else, even if it means that I do not get on a plane until the standard operating procedures are changed. I will fight and I will raise my voice and I will get angry. I swear to god, if they try to pat down my mom on our upcoming trip to Florida, I am going to crack some skulls.

flywithdignity.org

davetx

Despite my flippant comment above, I totally agree with you that this policy is beyond outrageous. And if someone tried to pull this bullshit on my wife, a scene would definitely ensue.

Wimpie

So now the airlines are a TINY bit safer, but the determined terrorists will move on to "softer" targets, like Times Square, Xmas tree lighting ceremonies and cargo bombs.

Next attack - shopping centers, schools, cruise ships, sports events, subways, tunnels, buses, airport security lines to name but a few.

We cannot possibly catch every attempt by screening, but we can humiliate millions of people and help bankrupt already hurting commercial aviation companies.

Fire 25,000 TSA clerks, dump the scanners and pat-downs, bring in dogs, and give the saved money to the FBI & CIA, who can actually catch terrorists (maybe).

I, for one, won't fly until this travesty is lifted.