First Person: Millimeter Wave and Backscatter Scanners at US Airports

During a recent trip to the west coast, I was going through airport security and had my first experience with a millimeter wave scanner. The millimeter wave and backscatter scanners are body imaging devices designed to detect items that may be concealed under a person's clothing. Relatively new to airports in the United States, millimeter wave and backscatter scanners have been met with lots of controversy for multiple reasons: how clear are the full-body images? How much radiation is produced? What is the long-term impact of using these devices on a daily basis?

I was told to go through a backscatter scanner at the security checkpoint at the west coast airport. After declining, I was told that I would proceed through the metal detector and then receive a thorough pat-down. I understood and agreed.

After my first (very) thorough pat-down, the TSA Agent who was assisting me checked her gloves for traces of certain substances. Her gloves came back positive for one of those substances. I was then taken in to a private room where a supervisor explained the situation and then conducted another, more thorough pat-down. Her gloves were substance-free, and after a nerve-racking half hour or so, I was permitted to leave the security premises and proceed to my flight.

What did I learn from this experience, and what would I recommend for other travelers? It depends on your specific situation.

Many people are not nearly as sensitive to the unknowns involved in this technology as I am. A good number of people aren't as concerned about the produced images as I am, and even more are less concerned with the amount of radiation produced by the millimeter wave and backscatter scanners. Practically speaking, it is not a good idea to decline a full body scan if you are in a hurry to make a flight. What I thought would be a quick, simple process turned in to a full half-hour of adrenaline-laden security-related experiences. Even with nothing to hide, I spent a good six or eight times more time trying to get though security than my counterparts who went through the backscatter scanner.

If you have artificial joints or other metal medical devices in your body, it is a good idea to go through the millimeter wave or backscatter scanners. This will prevent the need for a pat-down once the metal detector goes off.

Reasons not to go through either the backscatter or millimeter wave scanners include: sensitivity to radiation, fear of the unknown, or any other uncertainty someone may have about new technology. If you decline the millimeter wave or backscatter scanners, do be prepared for a lengthy pat-down process and the possibility that your clothes may have traces of chemicals that the TSA is looking for (and subsequent action).

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millimeter_wave_scanner