TSA Removes X-Ray Body Scanners From Major Airports, But Some Will Remain

by Jessica Festa on

For all those who are against having to go through X-ray body scanners at airport security, you’ll be happy to know some are now being removed. During the past few weeks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been quietly switching them out for safer radiation machines.

While the main goal of the change is to speed up the lines at security checkpoints in major airports, the transition will also lead to less passengers being exposed to radiation.

So far these X-ray machines, called backscatters, have been replaced at Boston Logan International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago O’Hare, Orlando and John F. Kennedy in New York.

One concern people have with the backscatters is the fact that the radiation has been linked to cancer at higher levels. Moreover, the machines produce images of passengers’ naked bodies. The new millimeter-wave scanners help these problems by instead emitting low-energy radio waves similar to those in cellphones, as well as producing generic cartoon images instead of the person’s actual body.Before you get too excited, know the backscatters are not being phased out altogether. They are still being used at certain airports, including some major ones. Additionally, in late September the TSA awarded three companies potential contracts for the next generation of body scanners. One of the systems, made by American Science & Engineering, uses backscatter X-ray technology.

“They’re not all being replaced,” TSA spokesman David Castelveter told ProPublica. “It’s being done strategically. We are replacing some of the older equipment and taking them to smaller airports. That will be done over a period of time.”

The upside to this is research has found the radiation emitted from the body scanners is trivial and nothing to worry it. That being said, many scientists are also arguing that if there is a safer alternative that allows passengers more privacy, the TSA should use it.

“Why would we want to put ourselves in this uncertain situation where potentially we’re going to have some cancer cases?” David Brenner, director of Columbia University’s Center for Radiological Research, told ProPublica last year. “It makes me think, really, why don’t we use millimeter waves when we don’t have so much uncertainty?”

Nothing is simple, however. Research has shown the millimeter-wave scanners have a much higher false-alarm rate, 23% to 54% compared to 5% with backscatters. The TSA hopes using both machines in different airports will lead to competition, creating better technologies at a lower cost.

[Image via Carolina K. Smith, M.D. / Shutterstock.com]

[Via Chris Elliott]

New Art Exhibition Features ‘Banned Booty’ Confiscated From Airport Security Checkpoints

by Jessica Marati on

Ever wonder what happens to the tweezers, sewing scissors and Swiss Army Knives abandoned by hapless travelers at airport security? While most probably ended up in the landfill, some contraband nail clippers have received a second life through a new contemporary art exhibit from California artist Steve Maloney.

The exhibit, called “Banned Booty – Palm Springs Checkpoint,” opens October 18 at the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California. It will feature mixed-media installation pieces created from items, mostly sharp-ended, that were confiscated from carry-on luggage by the Travel Security Administration at the Palm Springs International Airport. The exhibit’s intention is “to ‘continue the conversation’ about present-day air travel,” particularly its relation to everyday lives and the city of Palm Springs, says a press release. According to Maloney:

American travel changed radically after September 11, 2001. The Banned Booty series captures a small aspect of this change. What used to be routine – checking into a flight and passing through the final security check point with no concern for the nail files or scissors stuffed in your bag – was transformed into a drawn-out endeavor.

The exhibit’s opening day will feature guests like Mayor Steve Pougnet, Palm Springs City Councilman Paul Lewin and Shannon Garcia-Hamilton, Federal Security Director for the TSA in Palm Springs, who will gather to participate in that conversation first-hand. For more information, visit BannedBooty.com.

Abusing Wheelchair Privileges To Cheat The Airport Security Line

by McLean Robbins on

A few weeks ago, we told you about TSA screeners who abused their role in the security screening process to steal from passengers.

Now, we’ll highlight an instance where passengers are (seemingly) gaming the system. A recent New York Times article discusses a rise in able-bodied passengers requesting wheelchairs and speculates that they may be exploiting assistance reserved for disabled guests to speed through security or to enjoy the privilege of being the first to board an airplane.

Although no hard data is available to prove that this phenomenon is actually on the rise, the article uses anecdotal evidence – such as passengers who can lift heavy luggage after going through security or those who use a chair to board the plane (where they claim the perk of being on first) but not to exit the aircraft (where they’ll leave last).

The wheelchair pushers don’t seem to mind, either. Most earn the majority of their income from tips, and when business is up, so is pay.

Others aren’t so happy. Peter Greenberg, the Travel Editor for CBS News, was quoted in the article as saying that this technique may backfire. “I’m a big believer in karma,” he said. “You don’t put on a dress when the Titanic is going down so you can get in the first lifeboat.”

Just like those who use handicapped tags to park in spaces not designated for them, we’re inclined to agree, but we’d like to hear from readers.

What do you think? Is there abuse in the system or are passengers simply more inclined now to exercise their right to a wheelchair?

[Flickr via Peter Kaminski]

Japanese Firm Unveils Bomb-Detecting Departure Gate

by Jessica Festa on




Thanks to a new piece of technology created by Japanese firm Hitachi, airline passengers may soon by scanned for bombs as they swipe their boarding pass.

It is the world’s first explosive detecting departure gate, and works by blowing a puff of air on each passenger’s hand as they swipe their ticket. The air is then sucked back inside the machine along with any small particles from the person’s hand. In one to two seconds, the machine is able to read if the person has recently been in contact with any explosives.

“This allows screening of all passengers and can make air travel safer,” Mr. Minoru Sakairi told news.com.au.

The invention works well for detecting people who have non-metal-based bombs hidden on them. If it passes further testing, the machine will be used in addition to already in-place safety measures.

[Image via Hitachi]

TSA Officers Fired After Stealing From Passengers

by McLean Robbins on




Have you ever arrived at your destination to find items missing from your suitcase and thought, “I wonder how that happened?” It turns out, you may have been a victim of TSA theft.

ABC News, as seen in the clip above, conducted an investigation into the security of airport screening stations. New figures show that 381 TSA officers have been fired after stealing from passengers and their luggage. The investigation tracked checked bags with iPads and cash, and also went through security checkpoints with these items in carry-on luggage.

In nine of ten cases, the items made it to their destination safely. But in Orlando, an iPad left behind ended up in the hands of a security officer. Using a device-tracking app on the iPad, investigators traced the iPad to the home of the security officer last seen with the device. After denying that he stole the item, the officer was caught red-handed when the alert for the device was heard from inside his home.

Thankfully, the officer has been terminated. We’re sure this will lead to further TSA investigations, but for now, we’d suggest putting valuable items in the safety of your well-guarded carry-on bag.