Midway into spring break, I flew to Seattle to surprise a close friend with a visit. When I arrived to the security line at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, I was unprepared for the dilemma I would face: receive a full-body scan or a thorough pat-down.
Having previously read articles last year warning about the Transportation Security Administration mistreating people who chose to be pat-down, I was dismayed, yet still unwilling to give up more of my liberties for the perception of safety. Therefore, I decided to be patted-down anyway.
According to its website, the TSA began piloting the body scanning program in 2007 in 78 airports across the country, Sky Harbor being one of them. CNN Money reported that each scanner cost between $150,000 and $180,000 and would be purchased through funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — stimulus money.
This is yet another unwise and expensive decision, as a part of a 10-year portfolio of reactionary policies by the TSA in response to Sept. 11.
Prior to the body scanners, the TSA had tried to sell the public with puff portals, machines that were supposed to detect bomb residue through puffs of air. However, costing taxpayers $30 million, the project was ultimately abandoned without reimbursement to the government by the companies for selling ineffective products.
Now, the TSA attempts to give travelers the illusion of security with body scanners that pose more harm than benefits to safety.
According to The Hill, Rapiscan — owned by OSI systems — has spent almost $3.6 million in lobbying since 2007 while contractor L-3 Communications has spent $1.4 million since 2004.
Both firms are leading contractors with the TSA for the body scanners and also have political action committees, which heavily influence the irresponsible funding decisions by the federal government.
These machines are dubious on several fronts. First, Grant Stinchfield from NBC reported that an agent was able to slide through the full body while carrying a pistol last month.
In addition, experts in radiology have warned that travelers can experience an increased cancer risk due to radiation from the body scanner machines, according to the Los Angeles Times.
CNN reported that Congress will be reviewing the safety of the body scanners this Wednesday. The review comes in response to errors in the TSA’s reporting.
I hope Congress won't be as dismissive when, at Wednesday's hearing on TSA oversight, they consider that the Agency's own inquiry found problems with "more than a quarter of the reports it reviewed," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told CNN.
Because of the private interests at play, airports may not be the only place we see these high-risk, low-return machines used. Even more demoralizing, the full-body machines will be used in public schools and federal buildings, according to The Huffington Post.
When will we as a people demand that agencies like the TSA pursue honest safety measures instead of perpetuating a costly illusion?
Reach Athena at asalman3@asu.edu
