This new X-ray machine which has been deployed at Heathrow is able to see a naked image of passengers.

It has raised many concerns about passengers privacy.

What do you think about this device? Do you think that it is essential for security purposes or is it an another invasion of civil liberties?

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=617749&section=news

without reading the article, I presume this is the terrahrtz radio scanner that has the curious property of passing through soft materials, but being reflected by skin and/or any hard materials.

It doesn't actually present a full colour naked image of the person being scanned, it's more like how you would appear in a thermograph (the one that shows heat). Ie all the colours are computer generated blues/greens/reds... it's not quite the same as having to strip naked for the security people to have a good oogle.

as to whether it's of any use, i doubt it, there hasn't been a case of airport security failing and allowing people to smuggle weapons onboard that i can recall, so it's a response to a problem that doesn't exist.

Originally posted by Lickszz
This new X-ray machine which has been deployed at Heathrow is able to see a naked image of passengers.

It has raised many concerns about passengers privacy.

What do you think about this device? Do you think that it is essential for security purposes or is it an another invasion of civil liberties?

http://www.itv.com/news/britain_1429358.html

You can see what the images look like here (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3071573/). It is a bit of overkill I think. It's already far easier to sneak something on to a plane in your hand luggage than on your person anyway.

an incredible amount of scaremongering by the tech companies to convince airports to invest to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

determined hijackers could take over a plane with or without weapons, and you can still take glass duty free bottles on board, a ready made weapon you purchase after passing through all the security.

Originally posted by Cyclone
It doesn't actually present a full colour naked image of the person being scanned, it's more like how you would appear in a thermograph (the one that shows heat).

So there would be no point in writing "Come and get it" on your arse with a marker pen ?

:0(

it would def put me off flying, we women are self conscious as it is!!!

Originally posted by NATALIESHEFF
it would def put me off flying, we women are self conscious as it is!!!

and men aren't! lol

If it comes up with thermal images I don't really have a problem with it...

I want one of these.

Do they make them in goggle form?

wobbly bits on men are ok though

men might be slightly less self conscious, but i don't think there's that much in it.

i did say it was only thermograph like, not exactly the same.

Nick, maybe if you wrote it with some sort of glitter pen that had metallic flakes in it...

Originally posted by Cyclone
Nick, maybe if you wrote it with some sort of glitter pen that had metallic flakes in it...

You could draw a skeleton on yourself, then when they scanned you they would think you were a Terminator.

Or not.

I think it's a great idea. Anything that makes air travel safer is more than welcome.

If you don't want to go through the X-Ray machine, then don't travel, its as easy as that.

It is the Human Rights of all passengers to trust airline security to use whatever checks are necessary.

Originally posted by Lickszz
I think it's a great idea. Anything that makes air travel safer is more than welcome.

If you don't want to go through the X-Ray machine, then don't travel, its as easy as that.

It is the Human Rights of all passengers to trust airline security to use whatever checks are necessary.

how exactly does it make flying any safer? When was the last incident of someone smuggling a ceramic knife onto a plane?

And there's no need to bring Human Rights into it as if that will make it all okay.

Originally posted by Cyclone
how exactly does it make flying any safer? When was the last incident of someone smuggling a ceramic knife onto a plane?

And there's no need to bring Human Rights into it as if that will make it all okay.

Who mentioned knives? Don't you remember Shoe Bomber.

yes, i also remember him not getting on board, so there was no security breach for this device to plug. I also remember the technical specs for this device and it would not penetrate the leather sole of a shoe, and so would show nothing suspicious.
So, my question stands, how will this improve safety?

The knife reference came from the article on the device, which you did read, right?

Originally posted by NATALIESHEFF
it would def put me off flying, we women are self conscious as it is!!!

Not me, I'm looking forward to it. At my age you need all the cheap thrills you can get :D

Originally posted by Fowler
I want one of these.

Do they make them in goggle form?

Yes, Bart Simpson has a pair.

Originally posted by Cyclone
yes, i also remember him not getting on board, so there was no security breach for this device to plug. I also remember the technical specs for this device and it would not penetrate the leather sole of a shoe, and so would show nothing suspicious.
So, my question stands, how will this improve safety?

The knife reference came from the article on the device, which you did read, right?

If I remember rightly shoe bomber was actually on board the plane when he was caught trying to activate the device.

It will improve safety by been more pro-active in detecting solid objects and concealed weapons.

You may be referring to the previous link in my post which for some reason is no longer abailable and has been replaced by a more informative and reliable report.

so if i understand correctly, you can't come up with an example of when this device would have achieved anything (as it wouldn't have shown a thing wrong with his shoe), nor have there been any instances where this device would have achieved anything, but you still maintain that it will somehow improve security.

I think you need to read the new article I put in the original post. It's all in there.

The device has only been in operation since October.

The old x-ray systems were noted for their limitations to identify plastic explosives and concealed weapons.

Heathrow have refused to describe exactly how the new systems work for security reasons but they have been designed especially to be more effective in identifying metallic and non-metallic weapons, as well as bulk and sheet explosives that are concealed beneath clothing, inside shoes, or in other objects.

he was on the plane when he tried to activate it and the passenger next to him saw him, so yeah, he did get on the plane, so yes, did get past security.

i think its a great idea, i travel extensively (i was on 26 planes in 2 years at one point) so i believe in security needs. Theres too many slip ups and people smuggling knives in to prove that they can, so i think its a great idea. i doubt the person watching the screen is going to care if he sees a 3 inch mole on your body or is getting any sexual excitement from your body when it goes through it, so i dont see whats to get self concious about

you flew once every four weeks. I spent 6 months commuting to Germany and back every week. Neither of us becomes some sort of security expert from it though.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this, at some point the cost of improving security (that's cash, privacy, whatever-else type costs) exceeds any benefits gained through increased detection rates of potential hijackers. In my opinion it's been reached already.

I think it's a good idea. As technology progresses we are going to have to get used to these things. Yes it's an invasion of privacy but it's also helping stop Terroists. Anyone know how to apply to get a job at the airport? :hihi:

Originally posted by Cyclone
you flew once every four weeks.

actually we flew every holiday (summer easter, half terms etc), but it took 2 planes each way coz we flew via amsterdam, and once had a holiday in a holiday if u get me, we went there, then flew somewhere else and back, which accounts for the extra 2 flights but yeah, 26 planes