One Astronomer's Noise

The TSA is expanding the use of millimeter wave and x-ray machines in airports as a security measure. As if we didn’t feel violated enough taking off sweatshirts, belts, shoes, etc. Here is the story I first saw, with a disturbing test-image and a healthy amount of dissent in the comments section. However, the TSA blog has a rebuttal, with actual images of what a TSA officer will see. To me, they aren’t much better! The real questions I have is, does it actually make us safer? What has happened to make these extra steps necessary? Is this only to make us feel safer? Or, more doubtfully, to make us feel more scared?

Sometimes I’m just going to have to fly for work, and I’m just going to have to deal with it. It’s hard to say, but what more can I do? As creepy as the implications are, a little faceless, black and white nudity can’t hurt too much. I was surprised, however, to see Albuquerque on the list of airports scheduled to receive one. Huh? What’s going on out there, it’s seems so quiet and peaceful! I guess it’s close to Los Alamos. Also, the TSA officers in Albuquerque are the nicest, most professional ones I have ever come across, when a few years ago I accidentally left a Swiss Army Knife in my carry-on baggage. They were *so* sweet and understanding! Usually officers look annoyed and bored, so that was a sweet relief.