ExpressJet Airlines Pilot Refuses To Go Through The Security Measures Of A Full-Body Scan And Pat Down
October 21st, 2010 - 9:10 pm ICT by Pen Men At WorkOctober 21, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): Michael Roberts, a pilot for ExpressJet Airlines refused to submit himself to a full body scan including an alternative pat while going through the airport security. He argued that the procedure violated his rights.
The law allows an individual opt out of the body scan but only on the condition that he receives an enhanced pat from the Transportation Security Administration employee. The incident occurred at the check point of the Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee.
Roberts says that the very term ‘pat down’ is misleading. The officials concentrate on the uncomfortable parts of the human anatomy while groping and prodding, a procedure that is pretty aggressive. He was asked for his supervisor’s name, driver’s license and ExpressJet Airlines phone number by the TSA agent who informed Roberts that they would be filing a report with the Operations Center of the Transportation Security.
Roberts talked to the CNN later on this issue stating that he did not want to subject himself to assault. Nor does he want his nude pictures to be looked at by strangers sitting elsewhere, he emphasized.
While it is understandable for the crew members to go through a variety of security measures as they have access to sensitive areas of both the aircrafts as well as the airports, Roberts said that it was the first time that he had been asked to take a body scan.
The scanners are currently in use across 58 airports of the nation with more of them being pressed into use in additional airports. This information can be obtained from the TSA’s website. The TSA also stated that they adhere to strict privacy rules. While the officers who screen the passengers cannot see the images, those who look at the images do not see the passengers. The image is deleted immediately after the viewing, as they cannot be stored or transmitted. A privacy algorithm is also added to the images to provide the blurring effect.
Michael Roberts does not know whether he will still be able to retain his job with ExpressJet Airlines in wake of this incident. The airline has not responded so far and Roberts is currently seeking legal advice.
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Tags: aircrafts, airport security, algorithm, cnn, crew members, expressjet airlines, full body scan, human anatomy, memphis international airport, memphis tennessee, men at work, nude pictures, operations center, pen men, privacy rules, security measures, sensitive areas, strict privacy, transportation security administration, tsa agent