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Airport Body Scanner


Guest Shelley

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Guest Shelley

With all this controversey regarding the full body scanners used in some U.S. airports, and in light of the "touch my junk and I'll have you arresed" guy, made me think: With all this paranoia going on these days, Do you think it would be safe for a TG (without name and gender changed on the passport) to travel by air these days? Would you opt for a groin-groping "pat down" or would you risk total exposure with the giant x-ray machine? If they see a female, and the body scanner, or the pat-down, reveals something different, could you accurately predict how the TSA would react? I have to travel soon, and am considering driving, not flying, just to eliminate that added stress. Please share your thoughts.

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It's a valid question, Shelley.

I honestly don't think they would ever make an issue of it, for this reason: they are supposed to be searching for weapons, not checking out bodies to see what equipment folks have or don't have. If they questioned a transperson because they had "junk" when they shouldn't, or had a packer when they shouldn't, it would instantly prove that the screeners were looking for a lot more than weapons, and the uproar that would ensue would doom the whole screening program. I don't think the TSA would risk it just to out someone.

Carolyn Marie

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this should be moved to the general transgender forum.

LOL! It's the end of a long day, Shelley. I hadn't even noticed. :blush:

Carolyn Marie

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Guest Shelley

it's ok. I've had a long week. Trying to decide how to travel. Good thing I have the option to drive, although it would take a couple days longer and cost more, I think it would be worth it. I'd rather take my chances on the highway than the airport. If you think about it, air travel is the only service you pay for where you get treated like a sub-human. You don't get body scanned at the train station, or at the bus station. I watched the head of the Israeli airport security on Fox news today, and he brought up some valid points, that the TSA has become more reactive than preventative. There was the shoe guy, then we had to remove our shoes. Now the underwear guy, now we have body scans and pat downs.

I got an idea, LETS ALL FLY NAKED! :o

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There was the shoe guy, then we had to remove our shoes. Now the underwear guy, now we have body scans and pat downs.

I got an idea, LETS ALL FLY NAKED! :o

Well, at least the TSA hasn't asked us to remove our underwear while in line.

Yet.

:rolleyes:

Carolyn Marie

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Guest MonikaC

Flying naked? I've had that dream before. Only there was a talking goat, and flying saucers piloted by hippies. Wait, I think I've said to much...

Seriously though, Carolyn is right, the TSA wouldn't risk outing a transwoman. It would show that the scans are too intrusive. I could see where they do more of a search on a transman wearing a packer though. If the person looking at the photos didn't know what a packer was, I can see them mistaking it for something more nefarious. That doesn't mean it is right, but rather that I can see it happening. Either way it would be good to have your carry letter on you just in case.

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Well, guess I won't be flying to the US any time, soon. As far as I'm concerned, those scanners are a complete invasion of privacy. I don't care wether it's computer software checking the scan, or a pair of Mark I eyeballs.

If someone (or something) can virtually strip me of my clothes (and, as a consequence, my dignity), I won't accept it. And what was that about no scans being stored? They were! They have already been used in court cases.

I don't know wether the alternative is any better. 'Enhanced pat downs', my ***! It's sexual harassment; some jerk in a uniform being 'extra thorough' on (particularly) the groin. I don't care wether some nut decides to put explosives near his 'family jewels', I just don't want to be weighed down by all that paranoia...

And, at Amsterdam International (Schiphol), those scanners have been placed on the US-only wing, without an alternative. If I refuse, I won't be allowed to board. Well, screw them! Rotterdam harbour has plenty of ships heading for the US.

Were does this end? Strip search? Full cavity search? I don't care: I'd rather not fly, then submit to something so humiliating...

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Guest April63

I don't see what's wrong with the scanners... They're checking for safety purposes. They're not going to speak up because they see a different set of genitals. You just walk through and continue with your business. I don't think it would be humiliating.

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Guest Pellinore

i've been stripped entirely naked while tied up on a bed in a mental ward..i didn't want to remove my underwear so they just ripped it off...infront of atleast 10 people watching.. i don't think i would have a problem with those scanners anymore after being humiliated like that. maybe a little offtopic, just had to share.. i'm still shoke up about it.

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Guest Shelley

Assuming the TSA wouldn't risk outing a TG, M or F, is saying a really big "if"

Watching the news lately, I would be the next one being interviewed by Bill o'Reilly if I were to attempt such a feat!

I'm trying to out myself in a gradual state, not busting out on a national expose!

I can't afford such a situation.

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Assuming the TSA wouldn't risk outing a TG, M or F, is saying a really big "if"

Watching the news lately, I would be the next one being interviewed by Bill o'Reilly if I were to attempt such a feat!

I'm trying to out myself in a gradual state, not busting out on a national expose!

I can't afford such a situation.

Good point...

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Guest sarah f

I would hope they would keep it to themselves or it could cause really bad press for them. I myself would rather be safe then sorry when it comes to security.

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Guest Valerie

Well unfortunately there are a few of us that do not live on the mainland. If we wish to travel to the mainland we have to fly. I have heard that Honolulu airport was suppose to have been one of the first airports to get these scanners, but I have not seen them. The last time I went to the mainland was last August and that was right before they were to be installed. So, we really do not have a choice.

I do feel that this is a violation of privacy, but I can also understand the need for security. However, I can also see the knee-jerk reaction that this country sometimes pulls because they got caught unaware by different situations. However, this is currently the law and I can only hope that through more indepth research and possibly multiple lawsuits the government may find a better way to provide the security that is needed.

I am planning my next trip back to the mainland next summer, when I finally start my RLT. None of my family at home has really met Valerie in person and prior to my travel home I will have my legal name change and possibly my breast augmentation. I am still trying to decide if I should get the new Gender Passport, I have still not found out if they are good for 2 years or for the full 10 years. Seems like everytime I read something about them the duration changes. I know I will need one, if I do finally decide to go to Thialand or to Canada for my SRS, but the will be late 2012 or early 2013.

/Love

Valerie

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Guest Cynthia Of Creation

im glad they got scanners now we will be safer and can go play with tron. it was a terrible tragedy when the underwear bomber blew..... wait he didnt, and your telling me he was caught way before and the methods previously used were working and that the scanner that harms your body and posts your privates for everyone to see is totally useless and unneeded. wow thanks for straightening that out for me.

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Guest erinanita

I don't have a problem with the scanner. I don't think they are necessarily an invasion of my privacy. They do serve a useful purpose. And having worked as a pre-board screener in Canada, I know how much easier it will be for them.

I have more concern about flying from my homeland into the states or over American airspace. It has been said that if you still have a male passport but you may look female it could mean serious problems. I guess I'll never know until I try it.

Thtufus

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Watch this video of a search on a young boy and think about how far they'll go...

And in the last week, I've read about a woman having to remove her breast prosthetic and a gentleman having his urine capture device damaged to the point of leakage without so much of an apology.

They wouldn't think twice about 'outing' a trans woman or man. In fact, they'd most likely laugh about it afterwards and tell all the other TSA agents. After all, if you're checking a woman and find a bulge, that's probable cause for a search.

Better think long and hard about where and how to travel and what you want exposed.

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Guest April63

They wouldn't think twice about 'outing' a trans woman or man. In fact, they'd most likely laugh about it afterwards and tell all the other TSA agents. After all, if you're checking a woman and find a bulge, that's probable cause for a search.

Better think long and hard about where and how to travel and what you want exposed.

But even if all the TSA agents know, what's going to happen? You'r going to get on your plane and fly far away. Even if they tell all the other people in line, you're not going to see them again. Airports are some of the most diverse places in the world with people flying in and out from all over the place for all kinds of purposes. The chances of you meeting someone you met in an airport again are low.

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Guest KimberlyF

But even if all the TSA agents know, what's going to happen? You'r going to get on your plane and fly far away. Even if they tell all the other people in line, you're not going to see them again. Airports are some of the most diverse places in the world with people flying in and out from all over the place for all kinds of purposes. The chances of you meeting someone you met in an airport again are low.

Unless you happen to be trans and work in the secure side of the terminals who also have to go through the screening.

Kim

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Guest sarah f

Watch this video of a search on a young boy and think about how far they'll go...

And in the last week, I've read about a woman having to remove her breast prosthetic and a gentleman having his urine capture device damaged to the point of leakage without so much of an apology.

They wouldn't think twice about 'outing' a trans woman or man. In fact, they'd most likely laugh about it afterwards and tell all the other TSA agents. After all, if you're checking a woman and find a bulge, that's probable cause for a search.

Better think long and hard about where and how to travel and what you want exposed.

Now this was a suprise to me. I thought they took you off to the side if they wanted to strip search you. This could be bad for the trans community if they decided to take our shirts off in front of everyone. Just imagine a FTM that hasn't had top surgery yet being outed in front of everyone. Or you could have a MTF that is dressed in male clothes to avoid being outed and then have to show the girls in front of everyone.

I guess the best thing to do if you need to fly is let them know that you want to be taken off to the side to be searched so that you are not outed. They should have to respect that from you.

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Guest KimberlyF

One of the theories that has been floated is there was so much time and money spent on the scanners and such a backlash that they wanted to make the pat downs so invasive that people would chose to be scanned and it would just be one more thing over time that people would just accept.

The head of the TSA was talking about the threats of box cutters and underwear bombs when discussing this issue this weekend. Box cutters were not illegal on 9/11. Could have pulled them out of your pocket and put them in the change dish. And many experts say these scanners will not pick up material like the 3 oz that were in guys underwear.

I have a friend who's married to a member of law enforcement in Fla. She told me the State police are going over state laws to try to find a way to shut this down or arrest the people doing it. These are people who actually care about public safety who are also alarmed about a rogue Government division.

Kim

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These are people who actually care about public safety who are also alarmed about a rogue Government division.

Kim

They will continue to use the threat of attacks to implement new programs and sell them to the sheeple over time.

I would simply advocate not using the air travel system whenever possible.

What about the guy that changed his appearance in mid flight recently ? It won't be long before a trans person is outed, and even rejected for travel based on an "improper" gender declaration. You must now declare your gender when booking flights in the US . What happens when things don't quite line up (in their eyes) and who makes these calls anyway ? Anyway this is old news, I am just ranting.

http://www.examiner.com/transgender-transsexual-issues-in-national/tsa-rules-now-require-gender-declaration-order-to-fly

Cindy -

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Guest sarah f

They will continue to use the threat of attacks to implement new programs and sell them to the sheeple over time.

I would simply advocate not using the air travel system whenever possible.

What about the guy that changed his appearance in mid flight recently ? It won't be long before a trans person is outed, and even rejected for travel based on an "improper" gender declaration. You must now declare your gender when booking flights in the US . What happens when things don't quite line up (in their eyes) and who makes these calls anyway ? Anyway this is old news, I am just ranting.

http://www.examiner.com/transgender-transsexual-issues-in-national/tsa-rules-now-require-gender-declaration-order-to-fly

Cindy -

That is an interesting read Cindy. Thanks for the link.

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