You’ve been looking forward to this day for months. You’re at the airport, and you are ready to board a flight that will take you to your rented yacht. You finally proceed to begin your Virgin Islands yacht charter vacation. As you pass through the new airport body scanner, it crosses your mind that you may be concerned about the radiation and what this exposure could mean for you.
Some researchers agree.
ARE AIRPORT BODY SCANNERS SAFE?
“We are very concerned about that being imposed on travelers,” says Dr. Robert Stroud, a professor of biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In a letter sent to the White House, Stroud and his researchers shared their concerns. “I don’t think we do know what risk we are taking. X-rays are intrinsically ionizing radiation. They damage human tissue,” says Stroud.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Government assure the public that passing through the body scanner is safe. A TSA spokesperson even stated, “We consider it a miniscule amount of radiation.”
SCIENTISTS DISAGREE
The scientists at UCSF believe that it is time for outside scientists to take a closer look at airport body scanners and their risk.
“I do think it is time for an independent investigation that really allows people to understand what the risk is that they take going through the scanner,” says Stroud.
“If you have a concern about the exposure to x-rays coming from the body scanner, simply opt for the pat down,” says Sheeder. “When you are on your way to enjoy a luxury yacht charter in the islands, the last thing you need is more travel-related stress!”
New software for screening passengers at U.S. airports will do away with naked images, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
After hundreds of complaints from travelers, the TSA began testing software for uses a generic body outline and highlights the area where any anomaly is detected during a full body scan. Now, as you prepare to board your flight, your body image will not appear in this new scanning software.
“We often hear our clients express their concerns about the body scanning process,” says Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters. “While we appreciate the importance of airport security, we are hopeful the new software will effectively address the privacy issues of our luxury yacht charter customers.”
Made by L-3 Communications, scanners at the 40 domestic airports that currently use the equipment will be upgraded over the next several months, the TSA said.
“This software upgrade enables us to continue providing a high level of security through advanced imaging technology screening, while improving the passenger experience at checkpoints,” said TSA Administrator John Pistole.
The agency also plans to test similar software later this year for the 247 backscatter scanners that are in 38 airports and made by OSI SystemsInc’s Rapiscan Systems unit.
Later this year, the TSA will unveil a pilot program that will allow some frequent fliers at four hub U.S. airports to go through expedited screening.
Now if we can just get airline food and service to be half as good as the meals and crew service found onboard mega yacht charter vessels…
HOW TO GET THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY QUICKLY
Want to save time at the airport? Read our quicktips for hassle-free airport screening HERE.
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