Manchester Airport starts trial of 'strip search' scanner

October 13, 2009

Manchester Airport starts trial of 'strip-search' scanner
Airline passengers flying from Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport today will be asked whether they have any objection to being strip-searched — although they will not have to undress.

The airport is launching a year-long trial of a controversial X-ray scanner that allows security staff to see through travellers clothes, in effect rendering them naked.

Such are the sensitivities surrounding the latest advance in aviation security that staff have been told not to call the machine a body scanner but instead to refer to imaging technology.

As passengers pass through the machine, hands on either side of their heads, a ghost-like outline of their naked bodies, including private parts, are conveyed to screeners sitting in another room.


There is no hiding place for breast enlargements, piercings, hip replacements and, more importantly, knives or guns.

If the trial is successful the £80,000 machines could be adopted in airports across the UK, replacing the familiar pat down searches where passengers are asked to remove coats, jackets, shoes and belts before passing through the scanner.

It is already being adopted across America, where the Transport Security Agency last week ordered 1,000 scanners from Rapiscan Systems.

Managers at Manchester Airport acknowledged that the machines highlight breasts and genitals but insisted that the resulting images were neither pornographic nor erotic. But, as one member of staff said: It does not leave much to the imagination."

Sarah Barrett, the airports head of customer experience, said: Our passengers tell us that they dont like being patted down by security staff at airports but they understand that it is a necessary part of keeping them safe.

Imaging technology offers a potential alternative but we know that some people see it as controversial. That is why we are running a trial.

The process is completely anonymous. We can assure the public that it does not allow security staff to see passengers naked. The image produced is a black and white, ghost-like outline of an individuals body without any distinguishing features such as hair or facial features, making it impossible to recognise people but simple to detect concealed threats.

Airport staff are sensitive to passengers with religious or ethnic objections. As a prelude to the trial the way the scanner works was explained to Faruk Ali, the airports Muslim chaplain.

Ms Barrett said: He advised us that 99 per cent of people would not have a problem with this because the images are not pornographic or erotic but simply a mild X-ray.

The machine has also been passed by the National Radiological Protection Board. One dental X-ray is said to be the radiological equivalent of 20,000 scans.

Passengers flying from the airport yesterday said they would be happy to take part in the trial if it meant getting through queues faster.

Ged Brennan, 37, a gas worker from Liverpool flying to Singapore, said: It has just taken me 20 to 25 minutes to go through security. Anything that makes the process faster would be welcome.

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[moremost]

welcome to the tits and ass scanner

[jackiebaron]

These scanners emit terahertz radiation that damages DNA. They said thalidomide was safe and look at all the babies born with horrific birth defects. Go ahead. Walk through one of these scanners. Will you be happy with a dreadfully deformed baby knowing that you were kept "safe" from some bullshit terrorist bombing, the likelihood of which is less than being killed by a meteorite?

[crisisofconsciousnes]

@onevoice4uall 911 was staged, so was 7/7 AND the christmas day bomber. Anyone who has done the slightest research knows this

[crisisofconsciousnes]

@purrytickle it really depends on what angle you look at this from. I for one believe this is worse than Orwellian. But it all depends on your view point, I personally believe, and so do many others, that the terrorist attacks were faked in order to further an agenda which is unfolding by the day. Some call it the New World Order. Also that shit is radiation man, that is your children. Honestly man, these people dont give a shit about you or your family, they killed 3000 of there own people 911

[rockyflatsgear]

If you look at the lower leg note the bone shadows of the "non-penetrating" x-rays.

learn more search: Airport-Back-scatter-Scanner-D­ose-Explained

[airportbaz]

don't like it?? don't buy an airline ticket! sorted

[kllklklklklklklklklk]

They are bullshit beause in every single example they show how the scan picks up a gun or knife, as if a pat down or a metal detector would not......I am getting sick of all this crap....

[uglydollsinc123]

@mmaghfai ya accept for the fact if you got sick youd probably die.

[uglydollsinc123]

@mmaghfai ya accept for the fact if you got sick youd probably die. and youd have to travel by boat

[mmaghfai]

@uglydollsinc123 and off to jail you'll go! lol. There's no winning with these guys....it's either they see you naked or they physically abuse your body! What a world we live in! I wish I was born back in the 1500's I think life would have been A LOT simpler :)

[mmaghfai]

@purrytickle These scanners emit terahertz radiation that damages DNA. They said thalidomide was safe and look at all the babies born with horrific birth defects. Go ahead. Walk through one of these scanners. Will you be happy with a dreadfully deformed baby knowing that you were kept "safe" from some bullshit terrorist bombing, the likelihood of which is less than being killed by a meteorite?

[purrytickle]

I am completly fine with someone scanning me and my family, the image is shown for what ... 5 seconds?? We have to do this because there are terrorists around and will blow you an your family up for the thrill!! Get on with it you mard arses- if you dont like it get on a bus!