Lately, the main travel news in the states has been about the TSA’s new Advanced Imaging Technology (X-ray machines) and the overzealous pat downs that accompany them.I’ve used the X-ray machines twice in Boston: once in September when they just started rolling them out and once last month. I’ve seen them in a lot of airports since then but I’ve either gotten to go use the regular line or the X-ray machines weren’t being used. Now that they are being rolled out everywhere and used more, people are finally taking notice and complaining about them.
I find it ironic since nearly a year ago after the failed Christmas bombing, nearly everyone was for them but leave it to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) to screw something up. They can’t do anything right. In principal, I am for the new machines. In fact, I would love more airport security akin to something like they have in Israel. But, every time I see the new machines, I will be opting out. It’s not the delays they cause I mind, it’s the fact the TSA is doing it. For starters, there is the issue of safety.
Videos like this only make the TSA more hated. They are basically saying “we hear your concerns and we don’t care. Deal with our intrusive ways!” By doubling down and not trying to accommodate travelers, there will be even more backlash and already there are calls in Congress to have hearing on this issue. It’s simply too big of an issue now. Once again the TSA has screwed up by being overzealous, uncaring, and especially unclear with their rules. Things are probably going to get worse especially as the TSA has dug in hits heels.
It’s amazing they have not learned lessons from the past and continue to be so bad. They need better employees, better policies, and more training on how to interact with travelers. Everyone wants airport security. I believe there is a way to strike a good balance between security and professionalism. Yet, since I am more worried about health and how images are being stored than I am about some guy coping a feel, I am going to opt for the pat down.
But I’m not happy about it because I don’t think it will be done in a professional way and the numerous reports and complaints already show that I will encounter problems. Police officers go through intensive classes on how to handle body searches with the utmost care. TSA employees don’t go through such rigorous training. I would rather do the x-ray machine than an “intensive” pat down. However, until health and privacy concerned are addressed, I will be passing up machines and hoping the TSA agent doesn’t get “too feely.”
By Nomadic Matt – this was reposted from Nomadic Matt’s blog over at Nomadic Matt. Another blog post on the issue was posted here as well, in great detail including videos.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
