With the terrorist attacks and scares that have occurred in the last decade, the Transportation Security Administration has taken measures to more effectively monitor airport security. After the horrible events on 9/11, it cracked down on any and everyone traveling via air.
Granted, the measures taken were done in the interest of all, there has been some backlash in recent days.
This is due to the brand new body scanners used to check every person entering a terminal with hopes to board a plane.
If you have attempted to fly in recent months, you may have encountered this new security measure. The new body scanners show a much more vivid picture of the individual being scanned.
Basically, it’s the real-life version of x-ray glasses, in a machine. The body scanners can peer through clothes to the basic human body, checking the more “private” areas for weapons or bombs.
While the individual is in the scan, a TSA employee is in another room in front of a monitor watching the images on screen and checking for any devices that could be deemed harmful or against the new codes.
The “Today” show recently covered a story on the matter, discussing a situation in which a California man was found refusing the scan and the full-on pat down. This series of events is done if you opt out of going through the new scan.
He was seen to be extremely discontent with the process, throwing about comments such as “Don’t touch my junk,” and accusing the TSA and its new machine as a form of “sexual harassment.”
The man then participated in a half-hour conversation with TSA management who informed him that if he continued to refuse the security measures, he would not be flying anywhere that day and could be arrested or fined.
He went on to tell CNN that he had no intentions to fly again until the machines were removed.
Well, sadly for him, he could be waiting a while.
The TSA stands behind these new measures, but it also has recognized the fine line discussed between security or safety and privacy of a citizen.
 It was pretty clear this man felt violated with these security measures. How would you feel? If you haven’t flown recently then you probably haven’t been faced with the issue.
Personally, I’m not sure how I would handle knowing there would be pretty close to naked photos of me somewhere out there. The TSA has commented that the scan does blur out the faces of those being processed, but not any of the body parts.
If we find ourselves uncomfortable with the thought of the scanner, the alternative is definitely not better.
When you opt out of walking through the scanner, you are then taken aside, walked through a metal detector and given an extensive body pat down.
When I say extensive, I don’t mean they run their hand down your side, give you a pat and say “move on.”
The security officers literally get in every crevasse of your body. I’m sorry, but that just seems a bit creepy to me. This is all done on the other side of a rope, not in another room where it’s private but in front of the entire airport. They make certain there is no chance of you sneaking anything on a plane that could harm other passengers, or yourself.
I’m all for the TSA keeping us safe. The truth is this world is very evil, and there are very bad people out there.
However, the thought of someone seeing under my clothes with a machine, or putting his or her hands all over me in front of the line of people waiting to get on the same airplane seems extremely violating.
Honestly, I kind of wish they had not released the TSA information to the public.
It would almost be better if we weren’t aware of what was really going on in those machines. Ignorance is surely bliss.
 So, next time you go to fly, what will your decision be? Will you suck it up and go through the scan, or opt out for a full-body pat down? You must make a decision. You can’t get out of it.
Then again, maybe you could.
After all, there’s always the option of taking a bus.
Sarah Ulmer is a sophomore majoring in communication. She can be contacted at [email protected].