# Anything To Increase SECURITY: Electronic Strip Searches should be mandatory **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 26, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567 "2005-05-26T06:12:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/61 "2005-05-28T04:14:29Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > You might want to be careful about advocating that “full nude” policy. There are some people that require two seats. It’s your call. See, like a typical Liberal, I neglect to consider the Law of Unintended Consequences (or in this case, the Law of Unintended Dry Heaves). 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/62 "2005-05-28T05:20:49Z")
This sounds very familiar to the system they’ve been testing out on the Mexican border with U.S. Customs. From what I read about that system in a magazine female officials watch female travellers and males watch males. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/63 "2005-05-28T05:36:05Z")
I cannot begin to tell you how much this makes me want to glue corn kernels to myself in odd places to simulate third (and more!) nipples. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/64 "2005-05-28T06:50:45Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Honestly, unless the screeners are back there touching themselves or giggling- I don’t care. That’s nice; now, what about the rest of us who still want to enjoy our rights while we’ve still got 'em? > [@Binarydrone](#): > > It does raise some thorny questions about minors traveling. Also: 1. What’s gonna hit the turbine when bootleg nudie x-rays hit the internet (think “Flash Mountain” – and no, I ain’t providing a link)? 2. What’s gonna happen when someone starts insisting not only on same-gender passenger inspectors (only male/female inspectors can observe male/female passengers), but _heterosexual_ same-gender inspectors? ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/65 "2005-05-28T10:57:44Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Way ahead of you. ??? ---
**Author:** ![Hippodrome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@Hippodrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippodrome)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/66 "2005-05-28T20:27:29Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > It does raise some thorny questions about minors traveling. Yeah, like where are they going to hide their pickaxes. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/67 "2005-05-28T21:00:25Z")
You can use your imagination… [http://www.freedomisslavery.info/images/backscatter.jpg](http://www.freedomisslavery.info/images/backscatter.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/68 "2005-05-28T21:37:51Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > You can use your imagination… > [http://www.freedomisslavery.info/images/backscatter.jpg](http://www.freedomisslavery.info/images/backscatter.jpg) Well, well… it’s THX-1138B. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/69 "2005-05-28T22:20:15Z")
Most proposals I have heard offer pat-down searches as an alternative to backscatter scanning for those who object. Of course, you will have to wait in a longer line for that… ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/70 "2005-05-28T23:42:01Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > My primary concern is about possible health consequences. I would like to see some studies done proving there is absolutely no risk to repeated exposure. IIRC there is more exposure during the flight (because there’s more radiation at higher altitude) than from this machine. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/71 "2005-05-29T04:02:13Z")
I’d sooner get off to a National Geographic than the pic shown in the link. I’d say some of you folks are pretty damned up-tight. Are y’all the same ones that bitch when something _does_ happen, then you guys cry “Foul! where’s our goverment that’s supposed to protect us?” _whaa, whaa, whaaa!_ ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/72 "2005-05-29T04:19:51Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Way ahead of you. Metallic MESH underwear? You wimp. Go plate. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/73 "2005-05-29T04:31:21Z")
Jesus. As if flying weren’t bad enough already. I can only assume this is part of some long-term plan to Protect the Homeland by eliminating the demand for air travel entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/74 "2005-06-01T18:13:02Z")
> [@Measure for Measure](#): > > Human life is precious. Protecting it from the terrorists must remain our highest priority. Not entirely sure if you were being sarcastic or not, but if not than I tend to disagree with this statement. Our highest priority should not be “protection from terrorists,” rather it should focus on quality of life. Even if you could live to be 1000 in a “safe” society I don’t think the price you pay in liberty is worth it. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/75 "2005-06-01T19:41:14Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > What about pregnant women, or those who don’t want non-medically required x-rays taken? The problem I have with this argument is that, while I can’t offer you hard numbers (I have to get back offline quickly - waiting for a phone call about my mother’s joint surgery.) the dose you’re going to be getting from a non-medical exposure on this device is likely to be LESS than what the passenger is going to be receiving when the passenger flies. The number I recall for losing the shielding effect of a mile or three of atmosphere is that dose from cosmic rays on most flights is on the order of 10 mREM. The last time I asked about the dose from a full chest scan, I was told that they’re using film sensitive enough that the dose is about 15 mREM. Since this procedure isn’t looking through the body, but clothing I doubt it’s going to be even that invasive. I can see privacy concerns from this device. Lots of them. As someone else has pointed out the cost-benefit ratio is going to be pretty damned high. I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Having said that - the health risks for pregnancy are such that I don’t believe it’s an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/76 "2005-06-01T19:52:15Z")
I intend to be pro-active, and drop trou while waiting in line at the security checkpoint. My way of showing support for our President and the War on Terror. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/77 "2005-06-01T20:06:48Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Low paid airport security cretins are now going to be ogling yours or your wives’ or your daughters’ nude bodies as you go through security. It’s necessary to protect our freedom and dignity, you see. And those damned Gynocologists, always ogling. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/78 "2005-06-01T20:13:34Z")
Well, I’m glad Homeland Security finally is getting hep to [the latest in technology](http://ookworld.com/product/x-ray_spexad.html). ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/79 "2005-06-01T20:16:49Z")
So are screeners cretins because they work in security, or because they are low paid? ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/80 "2005-06-01T20:36:07Z")
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