Since ensuring customer safety is probably the only thing more highly valued by most travelers than cheap airplane tickets, cheap vacation packages, and discount hotel rooms, as of Monday, February 22nd, France started asking all passengers traveling on American bound flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to go through a full body security scanner.
Five to six more scanners will be added to this airport and Orly airport within the next couple of weeks.
The French plan to test these machines for three months prior to deciding whether to continue their use. Full body scanners help detect potentially threatening items secreted beneath clothing.
The body scanners, will complement rather than replace metal detection and baggage X-ray devices, and will not be compulsory, but travelers who do not want to go through a scanner will be subject to pat down searches.
Many European countries are now looking to install full body scanners as a result of the Nigerian who allegedly attempted detonate explosives during his Detroit bound flight from Amsterdam on December 25th with explosives concealed in his underwear.
Travelers reactions to the full body scanner at the Charles de Gaulle airport were mixed. Some commented that the scan was uneventful and fast, while others expressed concern about potential damaging effects.
There is no danger to passengers going through a full body scanner, according to Patrick Gandil, the director of Frances civil aviation authority.
European governments remain sharply divided about using full body scanners, which allow security personnel to see nearly naked images of travelers. Privacy advocates are concerned that this process is to too intrusive. Full body scanners are very expensive, with individual machines costing about $190,000.