Airport Scanners - where are they?

I noted in a recent blog that I preferred the airport screening "pat down" process over the body scanner because its unclear if your skin is getting enough radiation to cause a problem for a frequent traveler like me.  After answering numerous questions from friends and family members, I thought it might be helpful if I elaborated a little on the process.

First, not every airport has a body scanner.  As of 11/20/2010 there were 385 scanners in 68 airports.  Note:  new ones are being added all the time, so if you're flying and you want to know if there is one at the airports you're visiting, Google "airports with full body scanners".  Each one costs between $150,000 and $170,000 so perhaps that's a factor in their slow implementation across the country.  I'm also guessing that this cost will make it prohibitive to put one in smaller airports like the one in my hometown.

Knowing the airport has a scanner may be useful information, but knowing which security checkpoint has them is also important.  Sometimes airports don't  have scanners at every checkpoint.  I was really surprised, for example, that there wasn't one at Reagan airport in Washington, DC - at least not at the security line for American Airlines.

Seeing a scanner at a specific checkpoint doesn't mean that its an option.  Are they in working order?  I'm not sure why, but I've been through a couple of airports lately (Chicago, Ohare and Charlotte, NC) that had scanners but had them roped off.  I'm not sure if they were broken or if the TSA agents assigned to them were out to lunch.  So I asked - and was told "I'm not sure, I think they're changing something".  As I watched, it appeared what they were changing was the shift of workers.  It just seemed odd that the expensive and supposedly more thorough machine was just roped off while they did this.


There always seems to be a lot of TSA agents.  Here there were 8 (2 not in the shot) and this was for one line.  I wonder how they determine how many individual TSA agents are necessary? 

In mid-December at the Orlando airport, I didn't notice the scanner until I had already selected a specific screening line.  At this airport, you enter a path of roped off corridors - kind of  like when you're at a large amusement park and you have to wait in a long line for the best rides (my thought was "how appropriate since this is Orlando, home of Disney World, where you quickly become accustomed to long feeder lines").

With the numbers of passengers going through the Orlando airport, they no doubt need this process.  However, the process is set up in a way that requires you to select a specific aisle - and there are several aisles, each one leading to a different security station/conveyor belt.  Had I wanted to go through the body scanner, I wouldn't have known which line to pick because there weren't any signs specifying metal detector vs. scanner.

So, when you get to the starting point of the security process, you may want to scope this out before selecting a line.  My suggestion would be to ask the first TSA agent who is doing general checks (ie checking to see if you have more than two bags with you, etc) at the entrance to security- "do you have a scanner?" and if they do, ask them if there's a specific line you should get in to either use the scanner or to avoid using the scanner. 

Note:  if you have a metal implant (artificial knee or hip) you might want to consider the scanner.  The implant will trigger most metal detectors which will result in a "pat down".  I don't think the "pat down" is really an issue other than it takes time....just waiting for the same gender TSA agent to come pat you down can sometimes take several minutes.    Gone are the days when you could carry a card from your physician stating that you have an artificial/metal implant.  I remember my dad had one and all he had to do was show the security person.  Now, I suppose anyone could create a "fake" card very easily.

Does your dog fly?

I love dogs.  They are great housemates.  They always love you and they're always happy to see you.  So I'm never surprised to see people traveling with their dogs....if you can take them with you, why not?

I've had two dog-carrying experiences in the past two years having brought both Lily and Lola home from other states (Lily from Miami and Lola from Dallas).  Both were unexpected acquisitions so I had to work with American Airlines, with very short notice (about 2 hours for Lily) to make arrangements to get them a ticket to fly home with me.

Lily, my Schnoodle (Poodle/Schnauzer).  Super smart, obsessed wth water, lots of fun.

Yes, you actually have to buy your dog a ticket if you want them to fly with you.  I've heard varying prices for the ticket - most recently a couple told me they paid $300 for their dog to fly roundtrip from Chicago to Mexico.  There's a limit on how many pets can actually be inside an airplane cabin at one time, so its best not to wait to purchase that ticket if  you plan to take a pet with you.  You may carry them on board with you as long as they are in an approved pet carrier (although no one at the airport checked the carrier).  At security, I was instructed to remove them from the carrier and carry them through the scanner.


Lola.  Scared of everyone except our immediate family.  Quite the lovable pest to those she loves.

The security part is pretty simple.  The tougher part about traveling with a dog through an airport is getting them a drink and finding a place for them to "potty" (especially if you don't want to exit security).  The most common strategy I've seen in airports is to put a potty pad (a disposable, water-proofed pad that you can purchase at a pet store) on the floor of the restroom, set your dog on it and pray that he or she cooperates. I've heard some people just try paper towels. 

I recently had a conversation with an older lady at the Dallas airport. She was carrying a teeny Yorkie (like 2 lbs teeny). I chatted with her for a few minutes and learned she travels quite a bit and she takes the dog everywhere she goes. The dog was wearing a "Therapy" dog vest. So I asked about that. She says she got a physician's signature to inform the airlines that she needs to dog to keep her calm while she travels. I'm thinking that's a very very clever way of getting to take your dog with you on airplanes without having to pay the fee they charge for pets. (when I flew Lola home with me last summer I think I paid $80 one-way....wished at the time they'd let me use frequent flier miles, but they won't)

Here's Tommy. I met him and his owners at the Dallas airport. Tommy was rescued from a dog shelter. He was sitting calmly on a seat in the gate area . I noticed he had on a little "therapy" vest so I asked his owner what kind of therapy he provides. She said "emotional support".



Tommy -adopted from a dog shelter...one VERY happy/lucky little dog!



Tommy



Here's Apple.  I met her and her owner at O'Hare airport.  They were headed to Ohio.  Apple is a 3 y/o poodle.  She was very sweet (ok, "sweet" means she seemed to like me petting her).  Notice Apple doesn't have a therapy vest.  Technically, that means she's supposed to stay in her carrier at all times while she's in the airport on on a plane.  (I got that lecture when I brought Lily home - but on the flight from Miami to Chicago, I sat next to a pilot and he wanted to hold her.  I said "are we allowed to do that?" and he says "they won't say anything to me" - so he held Lily most of the flight tucked inside his jacket)

I "met" Rena at the Dallas Fort Worth airport.  Rena is a Bichon and she was returning to Chicago from Mexico where she had vacationed with her family.  Her owners warned me she bites (apparently traumatized by a small child when she was a puppy).  You could tell she was a seasoned traveler.   She sat quietly with her head out of her carrier.  When we had to change gates (via the air link tram) from the B terminal to the C terminal, we had to ride up a very steep escalator.  Rena just repositions herself to be more stable for the ride up.  Her owners say they take her everywhere they go.  They paid $300 for her roundtrip ticket.  I told them about the "therapy dogs" I've seen and suggested  maybe she could become a therapy dog and fly for free.



The most heartwarming airline dog story was a couple of years ago.  It was a very hot afternoon.  Our flight was delayed.  There was a woman, visually impaired, with a large dog (a labrador).  The delay was several hours.  About the time I thought of asking his owner if I could get the dog a drink or take him on a bio break, along comes the pilot for our flight.   He asked if he could take the dog outside and he did after she coached him on what the dog would expect since he's been specially trained.  I wondered at the time if they found grass out there among all the jets or if the dog just lifted his leg on a tire somewhere.  I also wondered if the pilot was a fellow dog lover or just a thoughtful/nice guy - or maybe both!  I wrote a note to the airline to acknowledge him. 

When I retire and travel just for fun, I'm going to get my dog(s) a therapy certificate so they can wear one of those little vests and travel free.   

Effingham IL - small but worth some exploration

Last night I posted a comment on Facebook about a long drive to the southern tip of Indiana and how I didn't see anything very interesting on the drive other than a coyote. I shared that story at the hospital where I was today and one of the guys said "you didn't think the giant cross was interesting?"   I knew immediately what he was referencing as I have passed by it many, many times.

Located alongside the intersection of Interstates - I-57 and _70 at Effingham, IL - the cross is 198 ft tall (<200ft to avoid the FFA requirement of a flashing light at the top), 113 ft wide.  180 tons of steel, built to stand strong in winds up to 145 mph (what did we ever do without Google???). 

I have never taken the time to stop and check it out up close, but I have put that on my list of  "things to do" on my Harley as they have a "Blessing of the Bikes" on April 9.  After the short service, the riders are invited to The Harley Barn (the Harley Davidson shop in Effingham). 

If you are ever in the Effingham area, there is another stop that I recommend and that is the Boos Block's outlet store.  In case you're not familiar with this company, they make amazing wood butcher blocks.  I've seen them at high-end kitchen stores for big $$.  At the outlet store you can get them for great prices...usually because there's a small flaw - sometimes just the way the woodgrain looks.  They sell other kitchen items including stainless steel tables, butcher block tables and knives.  If my kitchen were wider, I'd be getting one of the butcher block tables.  They are beautiful.  It's amazing to me that this world-famous company is in this small town downstate IL. 

3 in x 18 in.  Weighs 36 lbs.  Retails for $145.  A fraction of that price at the outlet store.

One other Effingham stop I have yet to make is the Firefly Grill.  Maybe I'll make it a 3-in-1 stop in April.

"What kind of shoes are those?"

Its been almost a year since I wrote about shoes.  That particular blog was written after I read an article that said women should never wear sneakers/tennis shoes with jeans.

I started this one a few months ago after I ran into a guy I hadn't seen for several months - and the first words out his mouth were "what kind of shoes are those?".

"what kind of shoes are those"

Now I admit that my days of really caring about what kind of shoes I wear (at least in terms of fashion) are long gone.  When I'm on a work trip, my shoe selection is based on what I can run in should I have to race across O'Hare airport and what slides on and off really fast when I'm in the security line.

However, his comment stuck with me for a while, so for the next few weeks, I started a shoe observation project while traipsing through airports all over the country. My hypothesis going into this was that it was primarily younger women (20-somethings) who wear "high fashion" shoes. So, I photographed dozens of pairs of shoes and got interesting insights from the women wearing them.

These were the first shoes that caught my eye because I'd never seen anything like them.  The lady wearing them told me she was wearing them because they were really comfortable.  They looked to me like the kind of shoes we wear on boating trips - except ours don't have the toe shapes.  And, yes, she was "older".

The next woman I talked to was an American Airlines flight attendant.  I told her I was doing some informal research about women's shoes.  I shared the guy's comment with her - the one that started me down this path.   Her perspective?  She suggested I start asking for marital status.  She's 41 y/o, divorced and wants to look sexy and attractive - with the goal of finding husband #2.  She also shared that she was Puerto Rican and believes hispanic women are more into shoe fashion. 

41 y/o divorced flight attendant

So the next woman I chatted with had on these lovely red heels and she negated the flight attendant's theory and mine as she is in her 50's and happily married.


50's and happily married

The owner of these shoes was African American - and her theory is that African American women are more adventuresome in their footwear.  She thought there might be something to marital status as well as she is 36 y/o and divorced.

 The owner of these shoes (28 and single) said that Asian women are more into shoes.  She's Japanese.

28 y/o, single, Japanese

The owner of these boots agreed with that theory - she's in her 40's, married, and Asian

40's, married and Asian


One of the more fun conversations was with the owner of these shoes at O'Hare airport.  In her 50's and owner of a "fake husband" of 18 years, she said her shoe choice is largely driven by her profession (hair stylist).  

50's, technically single, but in a long term relationship

Over a span of a few weeks, I met some very interesting, funny and nice women.  What really surprised me was that every woman I stopped - regardless of age, race or language barrier - was willing to spend a few moments discussing their shoes and they all happily posed while I photographed their shoes.  Did I reach any big conclusions about women and shoes?  Not really other than some women are more willing to sacrifice comfort for style - and there doesn't seem to be a unique reason why.  I still wonder- everytime I'm walking through a busy airport - how some of them make it look effortless when I know it isn't!  I don't care if those 4 inch heels cost $800 - you'll never convince me they still feel good when you've walked from concourse G to the end of concourse K.  But they sure look good!!

As to my friend...the next time I run into him I hope I'm in my Harley boots!! 

Serving Our Country: Joshua Bowman - Army Medic

On my 6am Monday flight, I sat across the aisle from Joshua Bowman. 

He had been home for two weeks and was now enroute back to Afganistan for another six months (his second six months there).

Joshua has a wife and two young children, a boy and a girl ages 1 and 2.  His wife and children are living in Arthur near family while he's away.

Joshua, thank you for serving our country!

Enhanced "pat down" vs. full body scanner: a few thoughts

I think I'm qualified to comment on this current hot topic for two reasons.  First, my job requires frequent air travel so, by most measures, I am a "road warrior".   I have been awarded American Airline's "million mile" designation.  This year I have flown more than 80,000 miles, 120 individual flights.  Second, I have a piece of titanium in my leg which means I fail the metal detector walk-through almost every time.  That means I have had dozens of patdowns, this year alone.  I have been through 6 different airports since the new "enhanced pat down" procedure was implemented so have had that "experience":  Here are my thoughts about those, as well as the scanners. 

My issues with scanners:
1.  it takes twice as long to go through a scanner line vs. the traditional metal detector.  That's because the passenger in the scanner has to assume a specific position and they have to turn at least once as part of the scanning process. Then,  you have to wait for the image screener to convey to the TSA agent at the scanner that the passenger is cleared (or not cleared).  I say twice as long -  honestly at one airport, I counted and 10 people went through the metal detector to the 1 person going through a scanner.  At least most airports now have decent instructions (see blog http://janicestalmcneilly.blogspot.com/2010/05/airport-security-almost-always-story.html)

,

2.  You're being told that you have a choice...scanner or "pat down". That is really not true.  While scanners are becoming more common they are still not in place at many (most?) airports.  Case in point:  my home airport is small and I doubt they will ever install a scanner.  Last week, Reagan airport in Washington DC - no scanner for the American Airline's security area (I still find this rather surprising).  Last week, two airports had scanners, but they were not working at the time I was going through security, so again, no choice. 

3.  There are assurances that the near- naked images from the scanners are "wiped" from the computer's memory.  However, the people monitoring the scanner images are in a private area.  Am I the only person who suspects that they have the opportunity to use a camera phone IF they see an image they feel inclined to save/share?   Trust me, I have no concern that they would want to save my image, but when I hear young/attractive (enhanced?) flight attendants say they suspect they are targeted for scanning, I sympathize.  Note:  the image below is from a body scanner.  Its one of the more graphic examples I've seen online, more graphic than the ones they display in the airport instructions and more graphic than the images they've been sharing this week. 

4.  While I'm not concerned about this "virtual strip search", I am concerned about the radiation exposure.  I have zero confidence in anything the FDA says.  After all, this is the government agency that told Americans decades ago that margarine was healthier than butter, only to find out years later that the trans fats in margarine is a significant health risk (think heart attacks).  It was the FDA in 1973 that repealed a law that required the food industry to use the word "imitation" on food packaging for any food where chemical substances are used to create something that looks like natural products - and they did this because of pressure from the food industry.  (lobbying dollars at work).  If they are so susceptible to the pressure from the food industry, should we not expect the same regarding these scanners? 

Case in point - Michael Chertoff.  He was the head of Homeland Security from Feb 2005 to January 2009.  When he left this position, he formed the "Chertoff Group" and was immediately hired by the Rapiscan company to provide "security advice".  He's been on a number of talk shows promoting the body scanners.  He is their paid spokesman and is making, I'd guess, millions of dollars doing so.   Rapiscan is one of two manufactures that supply scanners to the TSA.  Kind of like the food industry's lobbyist saying "trust us, all those chemicals we put in your food are safe". 

Radiation exposure:  since the body scanners at airports do not penetrate the skin, the "experts" assure us there is no radiation concern.  My concern is they don't know.  If you do a little research, you will find several references to a concern about this type of radiation that bounces off the skin.  Can it damage the skin or tissue just under the skin (like breast and testicles - that are more prone to cancer)?  From what I read, we just don't know.

So for me, who flies so often, the repeated exposure to the radiation from the full body scanners is a concern.  That is the reason, when given the choice, I "opt out" of the body scanner line and choose to go through the regular metal detector which then, invariably, results in an enhanced pat down.  Only in a few instances have they tried to talk me into the scanner.  I ALWAYS say "no thank you".

The "enhanced pat down"
1.  There are some recent web postings and articles that tell "horror stories" about TSA agents of the opposite sex conducting these pat downs.  I have never seen this happen.  Everytime I need a pat down, they call for a "female assist" and I wait for one to show up.  I've never felt like the agent was deriving any pleasure from this process. Most of the time, they seem almost apologetic.  Sometimes other passengers watch, but I assume they're either curious about the process or they are wondering what about me resulted in the pat down.

2.  Privacy - everytime I go through the "pat down", I am offered private screening.  I've never requested privacy so I have no idea where exactly they would take me for that. 

3.  A man recently complained that they screwed up the seal of his urinary ostomy bag.  That's a tough situation as I'm sure the TSA agent felt the bag when he patted down the passenger and therefore had to determine what it was.  They cannot accept the passenger's word about what it is...no different than they can't accept a card from my physician saying I have titanium in my leg.  They have to check.  I doubt they intended to dislodge the seal on that bag.

Here's my issue - I think the TSA agents need to have a pleasant disposition.  I'm not saying they have to smile and be chatty.  Just don't be a grouch.  I would get into some specific details but I could be accused of profiling, so I won't. Suffice it to say I have encountered a handful of female agents who were almost belligerant.  In a couple of instances, I simply said "please get your supervisor".

I cooperate fully with these pat downs, but I don't need rudeness or someone acting like a drill sargent.  For example, prior to the new "enhanced pat down" process, the old process required the passenger to sit down so the agent could check to make sure you weren't carrying anything on the bottom of your foot.  You had to lift your leg up - usually to the level of the seat.  However, one female agent at the Miami airport yelled at me a couple of times to "lift it higher".  It was her attitude more than the impossible position she was requesting that resulted in me putting my foot down (literally) and requesting her supervisor. My complaint - my tax dollars pay her salary.  I don't need verbal or physical abuse to be adequately screened.

 So TSA agents, cheer up!  Be nice.  Be understanding.  In return, I think most passengers will return the courtesy.  If they don't, think like a Disney employee - you're getting paid to do your job.  You had to know going in to it that you'd be encountering some testy passengers.  (hey, I'm a nurse - I knew going into that job that I'd be dealing with some unpleasant body parts, odors, fluids etc (ok, think poop, pee, blood - HIV exposure) - I was never rude to a patient about any of those. 

Airport floors - what are we exposed to?  What concerns me more than the pat downs is the lack of cleanliness on the floors.  You're required to take off your shoes.  If you're barefoot (ie in sandals), you're walking on a floor that hundreds (thousands?) of other people are walking on.  That is creepy!  I've been through a couple of airports that provide little footies (the kind they often provide when you're walking on new carpet at an open house).  I won't suggest airports provide those because no doubt it would cost billions of tax dollars to provide those. But I sure do wonder how often they clean the floors.  I carry my own footies - if you're flying in sandals, you might want to consider doing that as well.

A couple of unanswered questions:
1.  why did it take 10 months for them to implement a new "enhanced" pat down process, following the December 2009 underwear bomber?
2.  are we finding anything as a result of the new enhanced pat down and body scanners?  So far, government reps on recent news shows can only cite "prohibited substances" or "illegal" substances.  I assume that's a fancy way of saying "drugs". 
3.  Is the cargo being carried by passenger planes being screen adequately?  Could that pose more of a risk than the actual passengers?  Given the more aggressive screening of passengers, is it not safe to assume terrorists will be targeting packages?
Some people are suggesting bomb sniffing dogs as the best solution - less invasive, cheaper, no radiation exposure. 

If you're flying, know your rights
(Note:  There are many more rights, so if you want the entire list - check online):
-private screening if you have to have a pat down
-same sex TSA agent doing the "pat down"
-maintaining visual control of your personal items (that's all the stuff in the security bins - your purse, your computer etc).  Watch the agents - they like to stack your second bin on top of the one that contains  your laptop.  Not sure its good for the laptop but I'm not the only person who has walked away from security forgetting the laptop because it was hiding under the top bin - not visible.  Just ask them  to not stack your bins.  I say maintain visual control NOT that I think TSA agents might steal your stuff.  I think passengers might accidently pick up something that belongs to you.  Example - on a flight a few months ago, a flight attendant came on the intercom and said "if you own a Dell laptop, please get it out of the case and make sure it is your's.  If it isn't, ring your call light".  Sure enough, someone finds a Dell laptop that isn't their's...and amazing to me, the person with the other Dell was on the same flight so they were able to switch (this is a flight out of Ohare airport - what are the odds these guys would both be on the same flight?).  By the way, another little tip, tape your business card to the top of your laptop - that would likely prevent this type of incident.

Fly safe!

Pensacola - home of the National Museum of Naval Aviation

When I was born, my dad was in the Navy, stationed in Pensacola, Florida (well, technically, he was off on a 9 month Mediterranean cruise aboard an aircraft carrier).  I'm not quite sure how old I was when we moved from there to Oceana, VA, (maybe 3 or 4) but I hadn't been back to Pensacola until this year. 



Me and my mom, Pensacola

  During my work trip there last week, I took time to visit the military base - which, by the way, is the home of the Blue Angels.

It wasn't a problem getting onto the base, but the pass they gave me restricted my access to primarily just the air museum (National Museum of Naval Aviation).

Inside the museum, there was every kind of aircraft imaginable from the first ones flown by the Navy to ones flown today.  I walked around looking for  the ones filmed by my dad during his cruises on the aircraft carriers.  I'm not sure I found the exact ones but I found some from the right time period.  I remember watching his home movies with the planes getting catapulted off the carriers and then watching them land.  My dad was in involved with aircraft maintenance on the carriers.

While I enjoyed seeing all the aircraft (an amazing display), I also enjoyed seeing the replicas of some aircraft carriers.   I remember whenever my dad would come back from a crusie, the families got to board the carrier and the kids got orange juice and doughnuts.  I've been on the Forrestal (first carrier to support jet aircraft), the Intrepid (currently a museum in New York City) and the Saratoga (launched october 1955 - cost $207million).

USS Saratoga

On display in the museum was this propellar - 15 ft in diameter, weighing 27,000 lbs.  It was one of the four propellars on the USS Intrepid.

Disney World is the "hot spot" for family vacations in Florida, but I think more families should add this museum to their list of educational places to take their kids.  I think kids of all ages would find the aircraft interesting - especially since you can walk right up to them - no glass cases or barricades preventing you from touching them.  There are also interactive exhibits and if you want, you can climb into the cockpit of a fighter jet.  So much history on display - promoting education in a way you will never "get" from a history book. And if you time it right, you can watch the Blue Angels practice!

Pensacola is also a great beach destination, so you can throw in some "fun in the sun" along with the visit to the museum.