Nude scans at airports

[Rex]

A few years ago we got media reports that scanning devices had been developed that would "see" right through clothing, and make a person effectively nude.
At the time, it was said that "civil libertarians" would not accept such devices.
Since then, we've had various incidents which heighten the need for more security, and yet no mention of the nude scanners.
Were these scanners figments of someone's imagination, are they still in the process of being developed, do the various world authorities really believe that most people would rather risk being blown up than be scanned, or are they already in use, but the authorities don't care to tell us?

[Rex]

A few years ago we got media reports that scanning devices had been developed that would "see" right through clothing, and make a person effectively nude.
At the time, it was said that "civil libertarians" would not accept such devices.
Since then, we've had various incidents which heighten the need for more security, and yet no mention of the nude scanners.
Were these scanners figments of someone's imagination, are they still in the process of being developed, do the various world authorities really believe that most people would rather risk being blown up than be scanned, or are they already in use, but the authorities don't care to tell us?

[tobias]

Rex, I agree that the attention this device was getting has dissapeared. I do know that it was tested at Orlando International, some of the images were in the local paper. I think it went away because it showed too much.

[Nude\'n\'happy]

There has been a cartoon hanging on the wall next to one of the time clocks at work for almost a year now. There is an elderly couple coming through the airport security scanners. The man says to the woman
"Well, the bad news is the kept my fingernail clippers. The good news is that I don't have any colon pollops".
Refering to the ability to see through the clothes as well as your skin with the scanners.

Personaly, I would rather they be able to see through clothing than to run any risks of having someone smuggle a dangerous item on board.

[nudeM]

I remember reading about it sometime back. Their web site showed some examples of the "nudity" involved. The only thing I can't remember is if the screen is open to the public or is it facing the screeners. I personally don't care, as long as the airlines are doing everything in their power to disrupt any illegal contraband from getting on the planes. I believe it is great tool that can show "everything", especially the contraband that is being "packed" by certain passengers.

[Nude\'n\'happy]

We definetly need something better in place than just the current metal detectors. I heard a news story recently that a plane was met as soon as it landed as one of the passengers found box cutters in the pouch of the seat in front of them. A pretty good indication that the metal detectors aren't catching everything.

[Rex]

Metal detectors, so far as I am aware, can detect only metal.
How about someone carrying plastic explosive?
I own a hard plastic, dagger-shaped, letter opener. They were given away in large quantities at a trade convention I attended years ago. I'd hate to think that anyone with aggressive intentions was on board a plane with one of those.
If the authorities could be using these devices, but are not, because of public concern about being seen "naked", then it should be exposed as a gross breach of "duty of care".
I would suggest that the US would be the right place for a public campaign to get these devices into regular use, with the current justified concerns about terrorism.
Where do the various presidential contenders stand on this?
As a side benefit, anything which favours a person who is comfortable with nudity, furthers the cause of nudism.

[Gary Naturist]

There was a type of body scanner being tested that showed any objects being carried PLUS the outline of the person under his/her clothes. The public reacted unfavorably.

Then a modified version was introduced which showed the objects being carried, but superimposed on a standard body outline, not that of the person being scanned.

I haven't heard the results of the testing on this modified version.

Gary

[nudejosh123]

It doesn't bother me if the nude scanners are being used especially before everyone boards my flight. There are plastic explosives and weapons out there.

Also, I am sure that I have nothing that an adult hasn't seen before. It would just be prudent that the airport security be comfortable with this nudity.

[hm0504]

With respect to clothing and flying, one cannot help but think of the shoe-bomber guy they caught a while back. Lets now think forward and assume almost any article of clothing or carry-on could be made from a high-explosive. Frankly, I think I would feel more comfortable with having everyone required to fly nude than the current situation.

With respect to those body scanners and their superimposed outline, I'd want to be sure the outline was not hiding anything, such as a weapon ensconced in someone's pair of bum cheeks (the lower pair I mean). If masking the body outline increases the chances of an attack, I'd say forget it.

The other issue wrt nudity and security is washing people off after a bioligical or chemical attack; the idea being that should a device go off in an area, firefighters would need to be called in to wash people off so they did not carry the residue; see
http://socalnaturist.org/forum/anthrax.html
fyi.

If I was ever caught in such a situation, I sure as heck wouldn't want time wasted while authorities set up privacy tarps and such; dang it, I'd want that stuff off me ASAP! It comes down to what are you more afraid of when faced with a stark choice, being nude in public for a bit or suffering an agonizing death or agonizing, long-term illness.