SoylentNews

edIII [soylentnews.org] writes:

The Transportation Security Administration can now mandate [cnn.com] some passengers go through a body scanner (AIT) even if the travelers ask to opt out and get a full-body pat-down instead.

Mandated screening for some passengers would be "warranted by security considerations in order to safeguard transportation security," the TSA said in a document updating the protocol. The change comes at a time of heightened concern about aviation security and terror plots against commercial aviation. The TSA said the benefit of using the technology is it "improves threat detection capabilities for both metallic and nonmetallic threat objects." In other words, the scanners can catch weapons hidden in clothes that a pat-down might miss. The agency said it does not store any personally identifiable information from the body scanner, known as Advanced Imaging Technologies, or AIT.

Also covered here [huffingtonpost.com].

From the DHS:

TSA is updating the AIT PIA to reflect a change to the operating protocol regarding the ability of individuals to opt opt-out of AIT screening in favor of physical screening. While passengers may generally decline AIT screening in favor of physical screening, TSA may direct mandatory AIT screening for some passengers. TSA does not store any personally identifiable information from AIT screening.

The full document is here [dhs.gov].

This certainly does seem to be the actual end to freedom while travelling the country via airplane, but what's interesting is that according to my friend in the TSA (placed higher up), none of this is true. The policy was never actually enforced from "Day 2" of the policy which is years old, not weeks. The TSA will still respect privacy in all cases, allow you to leave the line without inspection (your items must not enter the x-ray), and at all times, must respect the privacy rules by allowing opt-outs with private pat down requests. There will be no exceptions made to this policy. My friend was very clear that the news media is just wrong in the reporting.

So whether a policy or not (the document makes it pretty clear it is an actual policy), the TSA hasn't been enforcing it going on three years now. You still have the option to leave as long as you didn't start the process. I don't feel there is enough notice of this policy posted around the lines, but it's good to know nonetheless. I do believe my friend more, but the language in the news and official documents are fairly clear. You may be forced to go through a naked-body-porno-scanner (or AIT for short) should your pass state "enhanced screening" on it. However, it's also highly likely that the TSA agents responsible will not directly enforce the policy (my friend would not enforce the policy).

Have any Soylentils been forced through an AIT yet? If AIT was mandatory, would you still fly? I've been herded very strongly towards one, and admonished that I have "no technical understanding of the machine" by TSA personnel, but I've always made it to the ball-groping stage of free travel in America nonetheless.......

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