The Transportation
Security Administration is removing full-body, X-ray scanners from
major U.S. airports, and shipping them to less busy locations.
cnbc/TSA
introduced the so-called Backscatter scanners, sometimes referred to
as the "naked" X-ray machines, at U.S. airports in 2009. Many travelers
were not happy that naked images of themselves were displayed to TSA
officers in a nearby room. In addition to privacy concerns, travelers
were concerned about radiation exposure. (Read more: The Skinny on Full-Body Scanners)
The replacement
scanning machines offer less invasive, cartoon-like images of
passengers. And you can even turn around after passing through the
machine to see the same image TSA officer review. (Read more: Less Invasive, 'Gumby' Body Scanners to Debut at Boston Airport)
The full-body, X-ray scanners will be removed from New York's Kennedy, LaGuardia and other major airports, the Associated Press reported. TSA said the decision was made to speed up security at busy airports.
TSA spokesperson Sterling Payne said in an
email to CNBC.com that, "As part of an effort to maximize the
efficiency and deployment of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), TSA is
strategically moving smaller, faster AIT units to busier airports and
moving the larger units to airports with less passenger volume."
"This move will add additional units outfitted
with automated target recognition (ATR) software, which enhances
privacy even more by providing a generic body outline, and eliminates
the need for a separate officer in another to room to participate in
screening," Payne says.
The less invasive "Gumby" scanners with the ATR software will be in use at the following airports, the TSA confirms to CNBC.com:
- Boston Logan International Airport
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport
- New York's LaGuardia Airport
- Orlando International Airport
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Based on frequent flier reports on Flyertalk.com, the more invasive X-ray machines are still in use at some of the busiest U.S. airports, including:
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
No comments:
Post a Comment