Thread: TSA Security Screening Myths Dispelled

TSA Security Screening Myths Dispelled

Updated: Monday, 22 Nov 2010, 9:21 PM MST
Published : Monday, 22 Nov 2010, 9:21 PM MST

PHOENIX - Despite the protests and complaints, the White House says preventing a terrorist attack is a priority. The complaints are loud -- but are the reasonable -- and more importantly, are they based in fact?

You may have heard that everyone has to go through the Backscatter or get a patdown. That's not true. In fact, most passengers won't have to do either. Fewer than 3 percent are screened.

At Sky Harbor, the percentage is even smaller since the Backscatter machine is only in Terminal 4.

In fact, most people we spoke to at Sky Harbor hadn't experienced the enhanced security measures.

Another claim is that the Backscatter machines are dangerous because of the radiation. That also appears to be false.

ASU physics professor Peter Rez said passengers are exposed to more radiation in the air than going through security. "I think for the most part, the probability of some adverse consequence is very very low," he says.

Finally, is the public really outraged about the procedures?

"It's been a disaster. Everyone's been complaining," says Florida Congressman John Mica, Republican. With all the coverage, it would seem like everyone is upset indeed.

But according to two separate polls, that's not true. An overwhelming majority of Americans don't care or aren't bothered by the security measures. 80 percent of respondents say they approve.

But there are those who are outraged, and some of them plan to protest on Wednesday. Participants in the so-called 'National Opt-Out Day' will forgo a Backscatter scan in favor of the patdown, which is more time-consuming and is expected to wreak havoc for the TSA.

Tom Jenney, who is coordinating the protest at Sky Harbor, joins us live with his thoughts. Press play.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/enterta ... 11-22-2010

Fewer than 3% are screened so out of every 100 passengers on an airplane, 97 had no screening. So a plane with 300 passengers on it has 9 who went through TSA screening and 291 who didn't. Wow. I'm sure this increases confidence in the safety of flying knowing that 2 teenage girls in tight pants were "screened", a 3 year old was "screened", 1 cancer survivor with a breast prothesis was "screened", 1 cancer survivor with a urine bag was "screened", 1 soldier was "screened" and 1 grandma with a pin in her knee was "screened".

And we spend $7 billion a year for this? No thank you. Shut down the TSA and do it now.

Originally Posted by Judy

Fewer than 3% are screened so out of every 100 passengers on an airplane, 97 had no screening. So a plane with 300 passengers on it has 9 who went through TSA screening and 291 who didn't. Wow. I'm sure this increases confidence in the safety of flying knowing that 2 teenage girls in tight pants were "screened", a 3 year old was "screened", 1 cancer survivor with a breast prothesis was "screened", 1 cancer survivor with a urine bag was "screened", 1 soldier was "screened" and 1 grandma with a pin in her knee was "screened".

And we spend $7 billion a year for this? No thank you. Shut down the TSA and do it now.

I agree with you 100%. The TSA needs to be gone with the radiation/naked body scanners and put them on the border.

It says that only 3% went through the backscatter scanner or had an enhanced patdown.

The others all went through the regular metal detectors. Only people who set off the metal detectors have to go trough the backscatter scanners and/or enhanced pat downs. Plus a few selected at random.

You may have heard that everyone has to go through the Backscatter or get a patdown. That's not true. In fact, most passengers won't have to do either. Fewer than 3 percent are screened.

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