GoLewis

Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting a full body scan at the San Francisco airport on my way back to Los Angeles. I call it a pleasure because it was so easy - just step in, hold up your hands, then step out and wait for the TSA officer to get radio clearance that you are successfully free of "anomalies."

There's just one problem. They gave me something that I can't give back... a dose of radiation. Now I'm stuck with it. (I also have a headache like a hang-over that I can't explain, and though likely unrelated it still reinforces the feeling of being violated.)

So my experience was a problem for me because it was a surprise that I was getting the scan and I wasn't given the opportunity to opt out. As I stood and waited at the luggage belt for my time to walk through the metal detector, I watched the TSA agents shuffling people selectively from two different lines through what seemed to be 3 different scanner "doorways." They were selectively guiding them with velvet ropes - you know like the line to get into a night club. Not much obvious order to it really. So when my turn was called it was no surprise that I was sent through the center "doorway" instead of the one in front of me. But that's the moment I realized it wasn't a metal detector at all, but something else completely. I suppose I could have said something once I saw the sign explaining that this was a "Wave Scan blah blah blah Device" (no mention of X-ray) with actual photos of a full body x-rayed person, but I was confused enough and compliant enough (having nothing to hide) that I begrudgingly went through.

However, once on the other side I began to mentally processed my spray tan booth experience as I stood in front of the TSA guy and waited for someone unknown to radio back the results of my virtual orifice search. This is when I began to realize how herd mentality and a tendency to not question authority had just gotten me burned... LITERALLY! I was officially angry.

This post is my own little therapy session and time is money, so I'll wrap it up. First let me be clear that I'm not upset about the invasive, black and white naked photograph that I just posed for (see link below). I think people get a little too worked up about body image and the invasion of privacy argument is a little fuzzy to me. On the other hand, by any creative name this is a full body X-RAY. And x-rays are harmful, always, and at any level... period. So for expediency of the security process and in order to catch the next underwear bomber, millions of air travelers are being asked to accept a minor level of permanent, cumulative, mutagenic, carcinogenic, poison ray every time they want to fly.

So next time you're standing in your sock feet staring at that manly TSA woman about to send you through the zapper, look over to your right beyond the zappers and you'll see a guy getting poked, prodded and wanded while TSA agents unfold his clothes and taste his toothpaste in an attempt to delay and annoy him into future zapper compliance. That'll be me - happily unzapped.

Wonder what would happen if nearly everyone "opted out." :)

Proof of your good intentions(image):
http://www.rupture.co.uk/Terminal%204.html

A closer look at the scanners(video):

A great article on what the news media won't tell you:
http://www.prisonplanet.com/full-body-scanners-to-fry-travelers-with-radiation.html