Travelers who embrace cheap airplane tickets, cheap vacation packages, and discount hotel rooms are likely to also appreciate steps being taken to improve airline security. On Friday, March 5th, the Homeland Security Secretary announced that the government has begun the deployment of 150 full body imaging machines, at an average cost of $167,000 apiece, across the United States.
Currently there are 40 such scanning machines being used at 19 airports nationwide. TSA (Transportation Security Administrations) is planning to install an additional 300 units by the end of 2010 and 500 next year.
Both the new and existing scanners will be placed in a primary position at security checkpoints. They will be the default screening equipment travelers face at a security checkpoint. In the past the existing scanners had been placed in a secondary position, only being used when a traveler set off a metal screener or was potentially seen to be a risk.
Homeland Security claims that by accelerating the rollout of these machines the nation is enhancing its ability to detect and disrupt terrorism threats.
The airports that will receive scanners by the end of the summer include Bostons Logan International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International, Chicago OHare International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Kansas City International, Lost Angeles International, Mineta San Jose International, and San Diego International.
Under current TSA rules, passengers have the option of declining to go through full body scans at airport security checkpoints. However, passengers who refuse to go through full body scanners are taken to a separate location where they may be given a pat down search, as well as subjected to other tests including swabs that can detect small traces of explosives on hands or luggage.
Most travelers prefer a body scan to a pat down, according to the TSA. The machines do not meaningfully slow down the passenger screening process since it is done at the same time as carry-on baggage is screened. It takes 25 seconds on average to scan a passenger.