A trial of a scanner that produces
"naked" images of passengers has
begun at Manchester Airport.
.

geeee I'd have to go a diet just to go through. Yikes just won't do if that thing can see through me girdle

You mean those vertical stripes don't work with that scanner ?

I used to work for the company that makes these scanners. The technology isn't new. A key issue with security products is getting public acceptance.

I guess that they now consider this to be an acceptable alternative to the queues at airports.

When I worked there over 20 years ago, the technology in R&D seemed like something out of a James Bond movie.

I have one of their hand scanners. Very useful for finding hidden pipes and cables in walls

I find it very reasonable, given that strict supervision is given for privacy etc..
No more smuggling drugs, weapons, bombs as they're immediately visible.
Makes life easier for everyone.

Do you recon you could find a lost snake in a flat with that scanner? Not that Eric is lost, but it's one of my fears.
Sorry about the way way off topic post folks.

Anything that makes going through security easier is fine in my book. Standing behind someone removing a jacket, shoes, going through the metal detector umpteen times because of belt buckles, jewellery, hair slides, coins, watch, etc., has to rate as one of the most frustrating experiences known to man...

I agree. Anything that limits the necessity for personal interaction with the security nazis is a good thing. I would far rather be observed in an oblique xray from afar than whisked off to a cubicle and groped for the crime of setting off the buzzer twice. Apparently standard procedure at Zurich so they told me as they whisked me off even though we established it was my belt, I had taken it off and passed through the gate without beeping. You beep twice then we must examine your groin - it is the rules it is the rules it is the rules..... And nothing against Zurich in particular, they are generally not so bad. London airports are worse in my opinion esp Heathrow/Gatwick seem to take particular delight in the uniform and power that comes from the threat to deny boarding.

Plus what Sandgrounder says above.

Could do, if he has been feeding on nails

Did you pack that lunch box yourself sir?

Went through one in Moscow about 2 years ago - no big deal

He's very pipe-like.
Just a thought.......

I went through the one at Heathrow when they were testing it in 2004.

At the time, I did not know it was an X-ray scanner.

At least the operators had the decency not to laugh out loud.

As long as the operator is not sitting there watching people walk past and then looking at their screen, I have no problem with this. The point is that it has to be completely impersonal, rather like a hospital radiology scan.

Wouldn't it be great if they could do a quick health check with this machine too?

- heart rate normal
- BMI check
- no strange spots indicating skin cancer
- blood pressure

And it is miles better then having to take off your shoes, belt, coat.....underpants......

If I were a celebrity, nay just a public figure I would be concerned. There are cameras everywhere in Airports watching everyone; I am sure there are CCTV images been taken of the security scans.

Now all one needs to do is peer one of these up with the scanner. You want to alexandra burke naked; not so difficult, you need to get images for both CCTV and scanner taken at the same time. You need the CCTV image at 10:32 when she passed through the scanner; And the image copied from the screen of the scanner... it doesn't need to recorded...

Do the security staff passing into the booth with the scanner, pass through it before starting their shift, will they be working in pairs or alone, will there be a scanner for men and a scanner for women; watched by a man and a woman? You can get a telephone with a 8mp or more camera built in nowdays no problem, they could tape these images covertly all day.

That said I agree with the sentinent already expressed, a fantastic deteremnt for the insane individuals who try to smuggle weapons onto aircraft with the express intention of killing themselves and others in the name of whatever ...

Personally I'd rather continue to take my chances with the metal detector... wouldn't mind having this as an option for the incorrigible watch-forgetters in front of me though!

I'm always surprised at the number of people who have difficulty - even habitual difficulty - getting through metal detectors. The first or second time you've flown, I can understand... but how often can someone go through the same procedure and still forget they are wearing a watch, a belt, loose change in their pockets?

The question seems to be to me can these rays damage you. I would only want to expose myself to radiation for very good reasons. It amazes me how little people seem to be concerned about exposure to radiation and electrosmog

The same as eating three brazil nuts, apparently.


I assume you don't have a mobile phone?