Travelers purchasing cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms will now start to face the prospect of passing through full body scanning machines when going through airport security.
In an attempt to put an end to the security loopholes exposed by a would be bomber of an American bound flight on Christmas Day, 150 full body scanning machines will be added shortly to airports throughout the US.
Currently 40 such scanners are being used in 19 American airports. Some passengers object to this type of screening which some view as overly invasive. Travelers not wanting to go through body scanners receive different security screening which includes a pat down procedure.
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) had ordered these scanners prior to the bombing attempt. These scanners cost $170,000 each. An additional 300 scanners are expected to be in place by 2012.
It is believed that a full body scanner could have prevented the 23 year old Nigerian from being able to board the Northwest flight heading to Detroit by revealing something (as it turned out it was explosive material) was hidden in his underwear.