Airport Scanner Privacy Products Hit Market

The phrase, if you can't beat them join them, immediately comes to mind after perusing the latest airport body scanner privacy products. Part mockery, part protection measures, the new items such as a strategically placed fig leaf underwear and "flying pasties" are being marketed as a chance to keep your dignity while going through the new measures at the airport body scanners.

The most obvious problem with the body scanner products is that while they try to avoid a privacy intrusion, they may actually be inviting more intrusions.

If the x-rays and body scanners show any type of object hidden under a passenger's clothes, then it is an automatic ticket to an "enhanced" full body pat-down. Thus, if the products provide the type of protection they tout, they are also seen as blocking the scanner. Oh the irony.

In reality, the only way to avoid the invasive airport scanner and pat down procedures is simple -- don't fly. Opting out is certainly a costly option. The privacy implications of the newly implemented body scanners and pat downs are fairly transparent, but the post 9/11 procedures are here to stay.

Security screening is the easiest way to ensure that travel safety is, in fact, safe. TSA recommends arriving at the airport at least an hour before flight departure. The travel authority might further recommend extra time for those travelers wearing the airport scanner products. Happy shopping.

Related Resources:

• Rocky Flats Travel Gear (Rocky Flats)
• Air Travel FAQ (FindLaw)
• Do Airport Body Scanners Pose Health Risks? (FindLaw's Injured)