Passengers virtually stripped naked by 3-D airport scanner

Jessica 06-24-2008

The airport in Kelowna, B.C., will be the first in Canada to test a new type of passenger scanner that creates a three-dimensional image of people's bodies.

The new body imager unveiled on Thursday uses high frequency electromagnetic waves known as millimetre waves to create a detailed 3-D image of what a person looks like underneath their clothes.

The security guard operating the machine only sees a simplified image on a computer screen that indicates where ceramic weapons and plastic explosives or other suspicious items might be concealed.

But in a separate, private room, another officer sees the full detailed black and white image of the person's body.

To be scanned, a passenger simply steps inside a glass pod the size of a large phone booth and puts up his arms above his head.

"The paddles rotate around the body. The radio frequency penetrates the clothing … bounces off the skin and gives … a 3-D holographic image of the body," said Ian McNaugton, the National Sales Manager for L3 Communications, which makes the machines.


If any suspicious items are identified, the passenger is then checked with a conventional security pat down, McNaughton said.

Ron McAdam, who manages technology and testing for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, spent months working with Canada's privacy commissioner to make sure the scanner complies with privacy rules.

"The images themselves are not saved... They are deleted immediately once the passenger is cleared," said McAdam, who added that the security guard who sees the detailed image never sees the actual passenger.

In addition, passengers don't have to use the machine, McAdam said. If they have concerns, they can use regular screening lines instead.

Outside the airport, passengers gave the machine mixed reviews. Hugo Tinno said he would not volunteer. "I think it shows a little bit too much."
Security personnel in a separate room will see detailed 3-D scans like these. Security personnel in a separate room will see detailed 3-D scans like these. (CBC)

But Deena Kamozi, who had just dropped off her 14-year-old son, said anything that makes flying safer is a good thing.

"I'm not a big fan of flying anyway, so the safer I feel, the better," she said.

Kamozi said she had no privacy concerns about the body image.

"Not if it's going to protect my family on the plane."

The trial of the $200,000 machine will last until January, after which Transport Canada will decide whether to use the scanner at other Canadian airports.

The low-level radio frequency is safer than a cellphone, which use radio frequencies a thousand times stronger, according to McNaugton.

Other airports around the world, including in Los Angeles, New York City, Moscow and Osaka, are already using the millimetre wave technology, but the machine being testing at Kelowna International is the first in the world to combine the body imaging with a metal detector, McNaugton said.

hugo281

yeah I saw that on the news a couple of weeks ago and they were trying them out here in Houston too over at Bush Intercontinental along with them taking your laptop and downloading all the info you have on it onto their systems to check to see who you've been talking to, with all this B.S. we have to go through I think I rather drive now than fly

Hsoolien

I'm for anything that makes flying more inconvenient, it needs to be cut down on as it is the single most wasteful form of transportation there is, you can practically give each pasenger on a 747 their own vehicle and it would be more efficent (not quite that bad, but close, trains and buses for the win)

hugo281

lol yeah i knew you were going for them being grounded, yeah might as well I think I would rather take a bus or a train the ride a plane

Hsoolien

But really in the end with the number of terrorists you see this day and age is this too much, ah the fine line of privacy and safety

hugo281

that's true too dude, but I just wish that the FCC would cut back a little and not over do it with the security, there's already so much of it at the airport as it is

Hsoolien

People used to say that before 9/11 and look where we are now, and while the US especially has been a little over vigilant in many aspects, something like this is almost a necessity in a high-tech word that makes weapons traditional search methods would not bring up (my last flight down to the US I could have easily smuggled on weapons capable of hijacking a plane, this device would prevent that)

hugo281

i know that dude, I'm just saying that sometimes they are going way overboard I mean even before 9/11 happened they never took anything personal like laptops to download your personal info on them just to see who you've been in contact with or some other reason, and now they got x-ray detectors to check out what you're carrying, i know its a good idea but that means more delays to get to your flight, with all that I betcha somebody will miss their flight, and even after 9/11 all airports in the U.S. were getting strict as it is but now this time around they are taking that strictness over the line so I don't think ppl are going like these new security measures as they call it, especially people who travel for business all the time cause they carry around laptops and other stuff

Hsoolien

People know well enough by now that security delays are a norm for todays aviation transport, and they should plan accordingly. As for the laptop issue, you're responsible for what you carry, always have been, always will be, so be smart about it.

hugo281

i am dude but that's not why I say that, before after 9/11 they didn't care what was in a laptop, all they cared about was what you were carrying physically, now its just gone over board with download personal files like emails to girlfriend, wife, or emails to friends, cause let's say you went somewhere out of the country for a business trip or vacation and you came back and took you laptop but like you said yeah you're responsible for what's on your hard drive, but still it sucks they do that now as for everything else well I gotten used to that especially taking of your shoes and belt

lilbluechula

Thats good they're making technology like that it will keep terrorist out or at least help.Also it will make things speed up alot faster in the airport.Hopefully they move it here to the U.S

Hsoolien

I've walked into a lot of concerts lately (with pat downs, etc) and onto the plane without much of a search because I am so glib in how I approach, I'm already removing the belt, taking the shoes off, dumping my pockets and they essentially wave me through...