Privacy Vs Airport Security

Airport Security vs. Passenger Privacy In the past few years the public has become vocal about airport security and their right to privacy. The issue has been with the new security measures implemented by the government. However upset the public may be with these new measures, they were implemented for the reason of protecting the public from harm while traveling by plane and the public needs to get over it. Due to the tragedy of September 11, 2001 airport security became more restrictive for airport personnel and travelers. The events of this day had put a spotlight on one of the many weaknesses within our transportation system. This has lead to our government to make drastic changes to our overall national security to prevent
Some believe this is only slightly less intrusive than the body scanners. The “enhanced” pat down consists of a TSO physically running the back of their hands up and down the person’s body (www.cnn.com). This has travelers feeling uncomfortable to have a person who is unknown to them putting their hands on them. If a traveler refused the body scanner, the TSO would have no other choice than to perform an “enhanced” pat down because there are no other options to guarantee the traveler does not have any explosives, contraband, or another prohibited items on their person. The TSA has since updated these images to display a “head-to-toe, X-ray like image of a person’s body” (Rettig, 2010). These updated scanners cannot only detect contraband and metals but, detect non-metals as well; such as ceramic weapons. According to the TSA website the new software highlights these anomalies on a generic outline of the human body image (www.tsa.gov), a step up from the passenger specific image. However, if passengers choose to refuse the body scanners, feeling they are too much of an invasion of privacy; they still have the option of the “enhanced”
But what passengers and civil rights organizations need to understand is does the cost out weigh the benefits? Does your privacy concerns override the overall their safety and that of others? Another thing travelers should remember is you have a choice as to whether or not to follow these new procedures. You do not have to go thru the full body scanner; you could choose the “enhanced” pat down instead. If neither of these options appeals to you, you could save your money and choose not to fly. There are always options of getting from point “A” to point “B”, but there should be no options in security, which leads to the overall safety of travels and the general public