2 ms·

X-rays are sub-nanometer waves. Millimeter wave scanners are fancy radar (with microwave photons) I always opted out of x-ray backscatter machines, but mm-wave

X-rays are sub-nanometer waves. Millimeter wave scanners are fancy radar (with microwave photons) I always opted out of x-ray backscatter machines, but mm-wave scanners aren't worth the hassle.

kiratp 2y ago
https://theintercept.com/2015/05/27/tsa-body-scanner-lobbyist-takes-congressional-job-overseeing-spending-tsa-security/ https://theintercept.com/2015/05/27/tsa-body-scanner-lobbyis... https://www.propublica.org/article/tsa-removes-x-ray-body-scanners-from-major-airports https://www.propublica.org/article/tsa-removes-x-ray-body-sc... The whole implementation of these scanners was layers of corruption. Still worth it IMO - as long as they have to train people to maintain the manual process, its a signal that there are people out there who won't just fold.
- kevin_thibedeau 2y ago
  They have to do manual pat downs for people who "fail" the scanner, either because there was something that warranted a double check or the computer randomly assigned someone to receive extra scrutiny. I've walked out of the security perimeter to reschedule after a flight cancellation in an airport with <10 passengers in the terminal. Upon reentering I was "randomly" selected for an explosives swab despite passing the first time with the same bag and not walking more than 50 feet away from the TSA checkpoint.
  - mrguyorama 2y ago
    I "Failed" the scanner once because I was wearing too much deodorant! It decided the titanium or aluminum in my extremely sweaty armpits was clearly explosive. I felt sorta bad for the TSA guy who had to grope my sweaty armpits to make sure I wasn't a terrorist somehow
theGnuMe 2y ago
Are these things regulated by the FDA? And if not, why not?
- hammock 2y ago
  No, because they are not medical devices. There is about a four page safety study that was done paid for by the manufacturer, and that is it. TSA employees are not even allowed to wear dosimeters, as I recall

X-rays are sub-nanometer waves. Millimeter wave scanners are fancy radar (with microwave photons) I always opted out of x-ray backscatter machines, but mm-wave scanners aren't worth the hassle.

kiratp 2y ago

https://theintercept.com/2015/05/27/tsa-body-scanner-lobbyist-takes-congressional-job-overseeing-spending-tsa-security/ https://theintercept.com/2015/05/27/tsa-body-scanner-lobbyis... https://www.propublica.org/article/tsa-removes-x-ray-body-scanners-from-major-airports https://www.propublica.org/article/tsa-removes-x-ray-body-sc... The whole implementation of these scanners was layers of corruption. Still worth it IMO - as long as they have to train people to maintain the manual process, its a signal that there are people out there who won't just fold.

kevin_thibedeau 2y ago
They have to do manual pat downs for people who "fail" the scanner, either because there was something that warranted a double check or the computer randomly assigned someone to receive extra scrutiny. I've walked out of the security perimeter to reschedule after a flight cancellation in an airport with <10 passengers in the terminal. Upon reentering I was "randomly" selected for an explosives swab despite passing the first time with the same bag and not walking more than 50 feet away from the TSA checkpoint.
- mrguyorama 2y ago
  I "Failed" the scanner once because I was wearing too much deodorant! It decided the titanium or aluminum in my extremely sweaty armpits was clearly explosive. I felt sorta bad for the TSA guy who had to grope my sweaty armpits to make sure I wasn't a terrorist somehow

theGnuMe 2y ago

Are these things regulated by the FDA? And if not, why not?

hammock 2y ago
No, because they are not medical devices. There is about a four page safety study that was done paid for by the manufacturer, and that is it. TSA employees are not even allowed to wear dosimeters, as I recall