Airport Scanner Shows Lady-parts And Man-package, Also Guns

March 3, 2010 No Comments

An airport scanner designed to catch hidden weapons and explosives also clearly shows passengers’ naked bodies.

It was only when two women refused to enter the machines that this has come to light.

The two women traveling to Islamabad both refused to be scanned, one for religious reasons and one because of health concerns. They were told that without the scan they could not board the flight, so they forfeited their tickets.

The machines show security staff “naked” images of passengers so that they can better see contraband items. However, they also clearly slow the outlines of genitals. The scanners were set up on a trial run at Healthrow and Manchester airports. Over 15,000 travelers have passed through the machines since they were set up.

Of course the Daily Mail has turned it into a religious issues because one of the women was Muslim and the pair were traveling to Pakistan.

Councillor Afzal Khan, who was Manchester’s first Asian lord mayor, said the vast majority of Muslims believed that any privacy concerns should be outweighed by ensuring they are safe when flying.

He said: ‘Hundreds of Muslim passengers have gone through without a problem. While I appreciate people’s concerns for privacy, these steps are necessary for our safety and security.’

In the United States there are 40 scanners in use at 19 airports, and that number is expected to increase to 450 by the end of the year.

This is not a religious issue, although I could understand why devout people might be concerned. This is a a human rights issue. Why were people not told about the invasiveness of the scans?

I mean this is just plain creepy.

These scanners might be the easiest way for airline personnel to determine what that package is in that man’s pocket, but there has got to be another way to ensure passengers’ safety.

Maybe it is time for airlines to stop thinking about travelers as cattle and start thinking about them as human beings.

Also read: