X-rated X-rays

Isaac Gonzalez

Mr. Lewenstein

ENGL 008

20 October 2017

In the article “Airport Screener Could See X-rated X-rays,” Joe Sharkey talks about different sides of the scanning. On one side people are for the safety and no more full body searches that outraged the public. A small price to pay to ensure their safety. On the other hand people against the fact you can see everything. Head of security even stated, “I have a beautiful 29-year-old daughter and a beautiful wife, and I don't want some screeners to be looking at them through their clothes.”

Since the attack on the twin towers in 2001; also known as 9/11, national security has stepped up their game to help prevent the loss of more lives. New x-ray scanners can not only see what you have on your person but can see a 3D model of the person, and they can see everything. These scanners can ensure the safety of passengers on the plane. This is also another way around the full body searches that outraged the public in December of 2014. The published the groping. Another example of an attack are the two planes that blew up in Russia. Plastic explosives were smuggled on to the plane, right past the older scanners. Do you think the older scanners were enough?

In my opinion, this is not that big of a deal because to ensure our safety we have to give up some freedoms. Especially nowadays with terrorism on the rise with attacks like the Vegas shooting and the Boston bombing. With more threats rising, safety is a priority. Terrorism can come in many forums when it comes to air crafts. Taking over the plane by force, which is in the case of the September eleventh attacks. Suicide bombers are also a possibility, and these screeners can prevent this. Guns and explosives are way too easy to obtain and contain, you can never be too safe.

On the other hand, it’s also a significant invasion of privacy. Even though now you’re not getting groped, the scanner can see through your clothes. People made this big deal about the full body searches in 2014. The new scanners are a way around this, but you’re exposed to the scanner him or herself. I do believe that there are other ways around this, like better background checks and organized pat downs. This could be applied to having rules and regulations for planned pat downs; so if someone was grabbed inappropriately, it could be reviewed and justified.

Overall I think that organized pat downs and not so advanced x-ray scanners are a better alternative. Giving up some freedoms to ensure safety isn’t that bad either, but the newer scanners are too much of an invasion on you’re own privacy. Slowing the process down and doing a thorough search is a recipe for a safer and less stressful flight.