leonardcohenforum.com

We're getting all of our ducks in a row for our upcoming trip to Las Vegas. When I was reading about current security measures, I found out that Las Vegas uses the new TSA full body scanner. According to the TSA website, you can opt out of these scans, but are then subject to a full body pat-down, apparently no longer using just the back of the hand. There is a lot of sensational information out there, but does anyone have any personal experience with these scanners or what really happens if you decide to opt out?

I have had the humiliating misfortune to experience full-body pat-downs on three occasions, and I would by far recommend the scanner, given a choice (I did not have a choice). Having somebody look at a visual impression of my body on a screen from several feet away is much less invasive than being felt-up by a total stranger. They do touch every part of you, and they do not use the backs of their hands. I felt completely violated afterwards. Not a good feeling.

Lisa, I had a similar experience this summer at an airport in Europe. I have been patted down before but outside of my clothes. This was very different I agree with you, if given the choice I would opt for the scanner. I'll just pretend I don't hear the laughing.

Marsha

Full body pat downs seem to have been a way of life for a while now, particularly it seems for Brits travelling in North America. For example, Halifax always seem to step up their security for the London flight and have always been pretty "thorough" with their pat downs. This year they installed a body scanner and we had a choice whether to use it. Tony went through the scanner; I opted for the pat down, which was no worse than in the past. It's not pleasant but they're only doing their job. I wouldn't worry about it.

Wendy

PS I have no idea what a pat down using only the back of the hand is like. I have only ever had the full "hands on" experience.

friscogrl wrote:...if given the choice I would opt for the scanner. I'll just pretend I don't hear the laughing.

I suppose that the full-body scanners may provide some encouragement to hit the gym before a trip!

Airport security notwithstanding, I am getting VERY excited about Las Vegas! Just think, Marsha, in 24 days, we'll be sipping Manhattans at the Seahorse bar! (And in 25 we'll be seeing Leonard Cohen himself!) I can hardly wait!

Cheers!
Lisa

I flew out of the Las Vegas Airport on Oct. 26 and there was no full body scanner at that time.
I've heard that if you can get high doses of radiation from them, and that can be an issue if you are frequent flyer.

I don't care what they do..... I am doing it to see Leonard I won't feel a thing.

I wouldn't like a man officer to feel me up.

Thank you all for your responses. This is a big news item at the moment here in the U.S. I think we'll be opting for the scan, though I consider the lesser of two evils. Anyone lays a hand on my children and I won't be responsible for my actions! And to be honest, this will be a huge deterrent in our future travel plans. I hate that we are losing freedoms in the name of national security. I'd much prefer to be profiled and then sniffed by a search dog that to have anyone touch me or be dosed by any form of radiation. We have laws that protect our kids from being touched and educate them about "stranger danger", but I guess it's okay if it's done by a government contractor. Add that our 4th Amendment guard us against unreasonable search and seizure. (Is the fact that we're flying probable cause?) (Not to mention the TSA agents in the booth laughing, enjoying the show, or worse - saving the images for later upload to their computer or the internet.) There are already so many stories of inappropriate pat downs, terrified kids wondering what the heck is going on, lawsuits and more. Benjamin Franklin said "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." I have to agree. I know there will be those who disagree with me, believing that this is a small price to pay for safer skies. And that's okay - I'm all for free speech - even for those who disagree with me. The question remains as to whether it does significantly improve our safety. And at what cost. Okay, stepping off my soapbox now. Wow, I'm really ticked and I'm such a calm person...

http://www.optoutday.com/

When you go in too the scanner, remember this.

http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/album6.html#42

Wijbe

Wybe wrote:When you go in too the scanner, remember this.

http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/album6.html#42

Wijbe

I tried to put the face of a random TSA agent in the song, but it didn't work so well! I'm so glad I wrote that last post - venting is good.

Whoa, I didn't realize how, um, detailed the scanner images would be. So, one has the choice between being molested or being viewed totally naked (and getting irradiated in the process). Swell.

I think I'm going to let them molest me.
I figure that if they are going to violate my constitutional rights, I might as well make them work for it.

They are trialling the full-body scanners here in the UK, I was 'lucky' enough to be selected for the experience this summer and quite frankly, I prefer it to the full body pat-down (which I seem to get a lot too - must have a suspicious face ). I didn't get to see my image, but from what I saw on the news when the scheme was introduced, it's a lumpy, ghostly white shape that they see, it's not like they're looking at you naked or anything. Quite frankly it's a minor inconvenience compared to having to take off your shoes to be put through the scanner each time - I hate how each time there's a plot they introduce a whole new raft of security measures, honestly I'm surprised they're not making us all take our underwear off since the 'underpants bomber' a couple of years back! I'm sure in 10 years time we'll all have to have barcodes tattooed on our foreheads just to make life simpler for everyone.

It's all the thin end of the wedge - at my work they have instituted random bag searches before they let you in the building! I am considering refusing next time...

Thanks Wijbe and Kelsey for the link! I love that song...
Very good one!