The TSA, AIT's and "enhanced pat-downs"

To be irradiated or to be groped--that is the question.

The TSA has now installed Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners in most major U.S. airports, including SeaTac here in Seattle. AIT scanners bombard a person with a high-speed ionizing X-ray beam or electromagnetic waves (depending on the device) that can produce a remarkably detailed image of what lies just beneath a person's clothing; i.e., their naked body. These images, according to the TSA, are not kept after being viewed but are deleted (although it is a TSA requirement that the AIT scanners have the capability to store and transmit images).

In addition to AIT scanners, the TSA has also implemented what they euphamistically call "enhanced pat-downs". This procedure entails a TSA agent running their hands along a person's body, including the breast, inner thigh and groin area. Generally, if staffing permits, a traveler with be frisked by a TSA agent of the same gender (some scroundrels have asked if they can request an "enhanced pat-down" by an agent of the opposite gender).

The "enhanced pat-down" is to be applied under various circumstances:
* If some form of anomoly appears in the AIT scan.
* If a traveler is wearing baggy clothing (I like to wear loose clothing when I fly and , as a result, have been subjected to the "enhanced pat-down").
* If a traveler refuses to submit to the AIT scan.

There's the rub (as Shakespeare would say): You do have the right to refuse the AIT scan, but if you do, you will be subjected to the "enhanced pat-down". There have been numerous stories circulating about TSA agents attempting to embarrass, intimidate or manhandle travelers who refused the AIT--including shouting "OPT-OUT!!!" while pointing at the refusenik, berating the person for holding up the line, and applying the "enhanced pat-down" in a rough and punitive manner.

The AIT scans and the "enhanced pat-downs" will be used on children, as well as adults (which brings up many troubling scenarios: "Johnny, I know Mom and I told you to never let a stranger touch your private places, but this is an exception." or "How can it be legal for TSA agents to view images of naked children on their computers when people usually get put in prison for that sort of thing?").

I am required to fly fairly often for my job. At this point, I intend to refuse the AIT. I have two primary reasons:

1. Although the TSA assures us that the AIT devices are completely safe, I don't trust them. Apparently, neither do pilots. The unions for the major U.S. airlines have advised their pilots to refuse the AIT and go for the pat-down instead, citing health concerns (many pilots, as a result, are outraged at being subjected continuously to the "enhanced pat-down"). Many medical experts have expressed concern about the long-term health effects of the scanning technology. Here are two recent articles from the Chicago Examiner about this:
http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-chicago/pilots-outraged-about-tsa-intrusive-pat-downs
http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-chicago/dr-oz-says-avoid-full-body-scanners

2. I have this funny thing about not giving away my rights as a U.S. citizen. Specifically, in this case, the rights afforded me by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states, in part:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..."

According to the TSA, when you purchase an airline ticket and subsequently step into the security screening area, you have voluntarily waived your Fourth Amendment rights. It doesn't feel very voluntary to me.

I have written letters to my Congressperson and both my State Senators expressing my concerns and asking them to put a stop to both AIT scanning and "enhanced pat-downs". The TSA does an important job, but they have crossed the line on this one. I have also written a letter to the CEO of Alaska Airlines explaining that although I am a Gold MVP (woohoo!) I will now be making a concerted effort to fly less, due to the new TSA measures. If many travelers do likewise, it is bound to have an adverse economic effect on the airlines and perhaps they will then apply some pressure to the TSA.

In the meantime, I'm scheduled to fly to New Orleans in a couple of weeks. So, if you're at SeaTac in the near future and you hear TSA agents shouting "OPT-OUT!!! OPT-OUT!!!", it might be me.

(More info: http://www.fastcompany.com/1700811/ralph-nader-and-epic-take-on-full-body-airport-scanners)