You might remember a while back that there was a huge kerfluffle over the fact that the TSA was installing “backscatter” scanners. Well, they’ll be leaving airports soon. Because of the controversy over the fact that blasting people with ionizing radiation is perhaps just a wee bit riskier than the TSA pretended? Because of the question of whether these devices really made us safer?
Nah. It’s because the TSA was sick of looking at how ugly we were naked.
Essentially, the government couldn’t figure out a way to deliver software that would protect the modesty of those being scanned, so it’s instead switching to millimeter-wave scanners:
At this point, all Millimeter wave units have been equipped with ATR [Automated Target Recognition, basically gun-spotting without the boob-spotting], but even with the extension to 2013, Rapiscan was unable to fulfill their end of the contract and create the ATR software that would work with backscatter units. As a result, TSA terminated the contract with Rapiscan in order to comply with the congressional mandate.
This is actually a good thing in a few respects. First of all, no more shots of your nether regions will be available for TSA types to ogle. Secondly, it was just a bit up in the air how dangerous these things actually were, with a lot of argument over whether or not the TSA was properly representing the risks of being zapped by a $16-a-hour glorified rent-a-cop with potentially dangerous radiation.
The congressional mandate was probably about protecting the modesty of Americans, but if it winds up meaning less cancer, we’re pretty OK with that.
![[avatar]](http://p.uproxxcdn.com/photo/569/thumb)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/blachman-150x150.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/shutterstock_83294065-150x150.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/04/department-of-homeland_security_logo-US-150x150.jpg){kind=logo}
![[image]](http://cdn.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/04/counting-money-150x150.jpg)
GOOD. Those things are absolute balls.
I was on a business trip this month, and I got patted down by security on the way there and the way back because the machine said there was something in my pockets. And both times, there was NOTHING in my pockets.
Yeah, it’s amazing how these things have so many false positives on females, especially attractive ones, which is likely another reason said machines are being summarily yanked.
Not a problem with the machines… Entirely on the screeners. Trust me. I knew a half dozen guys when I was there who couldn’t identify half the threats on the regular x-ray machine.
Yeah it’s crazy to think that you can get a job where you’re legally allowed to cop all the feels you want. And, as a bonus, you get nudie pics to take home on your smart phone.
Where was this technology when I was 20? I feel cheated now.
So…what you’re saying is there’s about to be a bunch of used nude body scanners come on the market…
*quietly logs onto and begins to refresh eBay every ten minutes*
I dunno, man, for what these would cost, you could just pay people on Craigslist to come to your house and get naked. Probably be cheaper.
What’s the going rate on that practice again…???
I’m looking to economize where possible….
As someone who is in the industry…the term is “Rent-a-Pig”.
I only want my nuts uncomfortably squeezed once when flying, thanks.
Rapiscan is too close to Rape-iscan. Just sayin’.
rape-i-scan (short i)
I always declined these things. And I fly about once a month. On a one-way international flight I’ll sometimes get 3 hand jos. Gonna miss you rapescan.
The handjobs come with the really good credit cards…mine just gives me Alec Baldwin being smug.