14 October 2009

Manchester airport defends 'naked' scanner

Manchester airport officials have defended its controversial new scanner which produces naked images of passengers, saying it will speed up security.

The airport’s head of customer service Sarah Barrett added that passengers would find the scanner preferable to a traditional body search.

The scanner, which was introduced this week, will show up breast enlargements, body piercings and show outlines of passengers’ genitals.

The introduction of the machine, which costs £80,000, means that passengers will not have to take off their coats, shoes or belts.

"Most passengers do not like the ‘pat down’ service," said Barrett. "The scanner completely takes away the need to undress."

She added that the images would be seen by one officer in a remote location, were not pornographic and could not be stored or captured.

Passengers have the right to refuse to be scanned by the new machine, at Manchester’s Terminal 2.

The Department of Transport will monitor the scheme for a year before deciding whether to install similar scanners on a permanent basis.

The scanners have been trialled at Heathrow and are gradually being rolled out in the US.

Naked Penalties

In response to Sareh and the Naked Scanner story, you could be right, and it could get worse. Perhaps passengers could be charged for the extra weight carried due to oversize breast implants and multiple body-piercings. And will we see a charge for male passengers "packing" more than their fair share? I think we should know - and I think we should know where they are sitting when they finally get onboard! All in all, a brilliant scheme I think!

By Lorraine Barnes Burton, Thursday, October 15, 2009
Weight limits

Regarding the 'naked' scanner at Manchester, can we expect Ryanair to move back to Manchester in the near future with a view to impose a new weight restriction, whereby passengers are penalised for flying with clothes on?

By Serah Richardson, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's brilliant

How do we apply for the scanning jobs ?

By Nick Cooper, Wednesday, October 14, 2009