For one of the few times, I agree with A. Frommer. This is not a big deal and anyone who wants to wait in line can skip it while I pass them by since I am sure there will not be enough of these devices to go around.

Cheers

The way I understand this, the technician who actually sees the scan is in a place remote from the scanner, so can't see the person being scanned...and if this is so, it is so impersonal that it can hardly be called an invasion of privacy; however, the idea of x-ray radiation does bother me and I'd like more information about how much exposure comes with each scan. As a person with knee replacements necessitating a long wait and a pat-down, while my valuables roll away to the end of the belt ready to be scooped up by anybody, I'd appreciate going quickly through a scan like everyone else.

Greetings all! Before we get too paranoid here, let's consider how this technology really works. This article from NPR gives a good background:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104321116

As the story mentions, the technology blurs the "juicy" bits and also the face of the person being scanned. The machinery has no way to store images as well.

As for the right to privacy, whether you realize it or not (and this is coming from a guy (me!) who is a BIG privacy advocate) you don't have a right to privacy at the airport. If they want to take you out of line right now and do a pat down...or more...they can do it. Unless it has since changed, this article on a 2007 ruling explains that:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2007/08/court-says-trav/

According to the article: "the court ruled passengers give up all rights to be free of warrantless searches once a "passenger places hand luggage on a conveyor belt for inspection" or "passes though a magnetometer."

Also, in terms of health danger, a number of articles I've read compare that electromagnetic exposure of these scans as similar to that emitted by a cell phone. The new machines in question, from what I've read, do not use X-rays (you may have noticed that there is no lead shielding around them like at a dentist's office!).

All that said...I support the use of this technology, but I also strongly believe that we need:
1. Very public and official guidelines for the use of the technology, including a listing of how privacy will be respected.
2. Even more public discussion and legislation regarding how any violation of the aforementioned privacy guidelines will be punished.

FYI - I've used a full-body scanner before. Let me tell you, it WAS NOT faster! I used one at the airport in Phoenix and I had to wait around for confirmation that I could go through because my bra set it off! Very disappointing...

I set off the Metal Detector as I passed through the Archway. "Stand with both your arms straight out" I told the Guy that my Pants would fall down as I was without my belt. "Stand with both your arms straight out" So he scanned me with the wand and my Pants fell to my ankles. People standing in line laughed a lot. So did I. Get a sense of Humour. Get over it.