Add to those the potential for hassles and confusion, especially during the upcoming holidays, when record numbers of families will be flying.
TSA plans to have 450 scanners installed in 50 U.S. airports, both big and small, this year, and 500 more next year, performing what it calls advanced imaging technology. I tried to answer some frequently asked questions in my latest Travel Wise column for the Seattle Times.
We returned to the US on Saturday from Athens via Amsterdam. I set off the old scanner machine in Athens and was subjected to a most thorough body pat down - far more 'body' and 'pat' than I've ever experienced in the US.
ReplyDeleteIn Amsterdam screening was done at the gate. Individual interviews were conducted with each passenger and then you placed your articles on the conveyor belt and then you stepped into a full body scanner, and in this model, doors close and in that length of time the scan was done. No debates, no options: you want to fly - you get scanned.
Slick, really slick! I will volunteer for the body scanner anytime over the old undress/re-dress myself scan.
And after all the bombs-on-planes headlines the day before, I was quite happy we were scanned inside and out!