Travel at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is getting a bit more high-tech with the upcoming arrival of body-scanning technology which will be used to detect explosives and contraband.
This technology is currently being used in 19 airports nationwide. One of 150 machines bought with money from the federal stimulus package.
The controversial machines continue to spark debate whether or not the machines violate a passenger’s privacy. The TSA says that the units will not print or save the images scanned and the person viewing the scans will have not contact with the passengers.
Passengers will have the option of declining a body scan. However, they will still have to go through a metal detector and submit to a pat down when necessary. For those who opt for the body scan, they will not have to walk through a metal detector or any other security equipment.
The scanned images will be displayed in a separate viewing room. The passenger’s face will be distorted and the image will only be seen by the officer(s) in the viewing room. The passenger will remain at the checkpoint until the officer gives confirmation to another officer standing with the passenger that the scan is complete and the passenger is cleared through security.
Whatever your views are on the issue of personal privacy, the one benefit to this may be more safety in travelling, shorter lines and faster service through the security line.
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