By Mandy Feder
Some people are seeing a lot more of each other these days.
True the holidays are here and people make a greater effort to get together with friends and family, by whatever means necessary.
The preferred form of travel is via air for its convenience and expediency.
But how much are you willing to reveal for the sake of speed?
According to MSNBC “Whole-body imaging technologies can see through clothing to reveal metallic and non-metallic objects, including weapons or plastic explosives. They also reveal a person”s silhouette and the outlines of underwear.
“That hasn”t stopped security officials from implementing them. The U.S. Transportation Security Agency (TSA) started using whole-body imaging at six airports this year, and plans are in the works to expand it to airports in several more U.S. cities later this year.
“The TSA has tested two technologies, including ?millimeter wave” (MMW) technology which bounces radio-frequency waves off people to construct a 3-D image within a few seconds.”
Now that”s what I call transparency.
It sounded reasonable in theory, until I saw the image that was available following the scan. Oh man, was it invasive and graphic.
Enough so for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to consider it a possible “assault on essential dignity.”
An air traveler should know, it is not a requirement to be subjected to the scan process. A traditional pat-down and wand search remains an option.
According to CNN, a civil liberties union has filed suit against U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Pistole on behalf of two pilots who refused a body scan and a pat-down.
In airports where the scanners are in place, passengers must submit to full-body scanning or an enhanced pat-down if they want to fly. These pat-downs involve officers using fingers instead of just their hands for the inspection.
I”m not too sure I”m down for that experience either.
Other concerns associated with the scans address radiation levels from the X-ray devices.
I am curious however, how long it will be before these types of security measures are implemented on trains, buses and boats.
I think it”s inevitable that people will explore these travel options seriously to preserve some semblance of personal privacy whenever possible. There are plenty of people who are apprehensive about air travel as it is. Will those people flock to other modes of transportation and create a necessity to implement these types of measures elsewhere? Perhaps.
I know these actions and technologies are in place to make us feel safer. It”s possible it even diverts some threats, I don”t know.
How many personal freedoms are we willing to sacrifice in the name of freedom?
I cannot answer that question.
I know I want to feel reasonably safe and I do not want me and my family in harm”s way when I travel.
It”s just a tough balance. I know I hold a certain degree of contempt for the fact that we are a nation, if not a world, dictated by fear.
“Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness … With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world …” ? From Max Ehrmann”s Desiderata
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
