Airport scanners

[LoveCakes]

I realise this has probably been discussed before but was wondering what the latest is and what people's opinions are? (I mean the new ones not the standard metal detectors)

I'm flying this week and will probably choose to get a pat down instead (I am from Northern Ireland so have had so many of these, I must look suspicious!). We're flying back from France and I'm not sure my school french from 15 years ago will manage it.

I know they are considered safe officially but are relatively new so the long term effects haven't been studied

 

[AC1987]

I never use them pregnant or not, I always choose the patdown instead.

 

[mara16jade]

I've used them before. They are invasive if you ask me - I'm not one for allowing people to see me almost naked. But I will NOT use them while pregnant. And as much as I hate strangers touching me (and especially my baby bump) I would feel safer not walking through the scanner.

 

[bluejen]

What kind if scanner is this?!

 

[RaspberryK]

Yeah what the hell is this De clothing scanner? Xx

 

[tablefor4]

It's the new full body scanner they rolled out in the States and now use in a number of other countries. You stand there like a star fish and the machine takes a scan of you to check for concealed weapons etc. The manufacturers state that it uses a new "harmless" type of imaging technology, and apparently does not detail genitalia etc. The scanner sends the pic to a person who looks at it and okays you or not. The person who is looking at the image is not supposed to see you personally, or be able to save the image in any way (they should be in another room altogether). They're just supposed to push the button to say yay or nay.

It is not supposed to be compulsory - you can opt for a pat-down instead.

My own personal experience in Miami was that I refused to go through it because to me it is still relatively unproven technology. I got the third degree about how it's just like being near a microwave or carrying a cellphone on my hip all the time. To which I replied I try to do neither of those things. "Well, it's like getting an xray" she says. To which I replied I don't do those either unless they are medically necessary. She really did not want to take no for an answer even though I was polite but firm.

She got REALLY huffy and made me stand to the side of the queue and then called another female officer to pat me down - in front of the 100 or so people waiting to go through security. No screen, no privacy. Because DH had the kids with him, they did not make him go through it. My hubby noted afterwards though that the guy who was checking the images was sitting not 15 feet away.

They cannot legally make minor children go through it. I'm not exactly sure of the reasoning behind this, either because it's a health risk for them, or because it takes essentially naked (albeit blurry and cartoonish) pictures which makes it child pornography. Either way, that makes it unacceptable to me to go through it. I don't mind the pat down, but some common courtesy would go a long way. The way the TSA officer's behaved was surly and combative. And if I could have been bothered, I would have laid a complaint (I was tired, with two tired kids by then).

When I went to Aussie earlier this year they had them in Brisbane. However because I was with my DD, they did not ask me to go through it. I was 4 or 5 weeks pregnant at the time, so even if they had, I would have refused.

I understand the "protective" reasoning behind the scanners, but I personally find them intrusive and offensive. I would opt for a pat-down (even an undignified public spectacle) any day.

 

[RaspberryK]

Oh no i don't want to go in one of those xx

 

[SRTBaby]

I refused a scan when i was pregnant with LO, they did a quick pat down and let me go. I will be traveling end of this month and not planning to go through the scan.

 

[kylesmom]

thank you for this information! I had no idea!
I will be flying next week. Will see how it goes

 

[Leids]

I flew in August and in November. I had my son with me both times and was never asked to go through the new scanner (both my husband and I were directed to the metal detector), I would have refused had they moved me into the line with the new scanner.

In November because the security line was crazy and I was next to a guard for 5 minutes I decided to ask her about it. She said that they won't even ask parents with minors to go through and always direct them to the old metal detector method. She also said if you tell them you're pregnant it's something they would have no issues with. I went through security with no problems in Seattle, Philadelphia, and Detroit.

I think they're dangerous honestly. There's a lot of bad press about them around here.

 

[Rachie004]

I think the standard metal detectors are fine. As for the body scanner, I wouldn't use one pregnant or not because of the long term effects not being known.

I work at an airport (I'm grounded aircrew) and they offer me the opportunity to by pass the metal detector and have a pat down if I want to. I would just explain very nicely that you're pregnant, perhaps take your medical notes as proof, then ask if you can elect for a pat down if you're not comfortable going through the standard metal detector.

I presume you're flying from International? From recollection, I don't believe that City has the body scanners. If you have any questions, let me know, I'll do my best to answer xx

 

[mara16jade]

Yeah, not a fan of them at all.

But from what I'm seeing on the news and news articles, it looks like they might be doing away with them!! Fx

 

[LoveCakes]

Thanks rachie, yes it was international but I ended up in the normal queue. If I get asked when flying home tomorrow I'll show them the scan pic on my phone and point to the little belly I now have from croissants lol

I've been through one once before in Amsterdam as the guards were a bit scary and I was curious. I think I'll choose not to if asked again.

They always seem to pat me down, next time I'm tempted to go mmmmm and see how they respond!

 

[DeniseX]

They always seem to pat me down, next time I'm tempted to go mmmmm and see how they respond!

omg, hahah.
I just got back from vacation a few weeks ago, and just told the guy in the TSA line I was pregnant and didn't want to go through the body scanner. He gave me a funny look and called a female TSA officer to pat me down. She pulled me aside asked if I wanted to do it in a private room or if I was comfortable there. I said there was fine. It took like 30 seconds and I was cleared to go through. No biggie. Coming back was the same thing, just a quick pat and I was let go. Normally I wouldn't be bothered, but not when pregnant. I don't care if they claim it's "safe" they haven't been around long enough for them to guarantee that. I want long term studies first, then we'll talk.

 

[hongkongchick]

i will be flying overseas in March, by then i should be 15 weeks. I def will NOT go thru those machines. and if the TSA people give me crap, i may not be able to contain my emotions. I have flown so many times in my life, and nice TSA people i encountered? very very few. they ALWAYS have an attitude.