BWI switching to whole-body imaging for security

AIRPORT SECURITY

BWI to switch to whole-body imaging

Passengers at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport will face a new security measure beginning Tuesday, as a controversial security technology becomes the primary tool for screening air travelers.

Advanced imaging technology has been used only as a backup security method at BWI, but it will join many other airports across the country in making the transition to using whole-body imaging as the main screening, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

Privacy advocates have objected to the switch, challenging the TSA in Congress and the courts, but the government considers the more revealing technology superior for its ability to detect non-metallic and metallic "threat items."

At BWI, the difference will be subtle at first. TSA spokeswoman Lauren Gaches said the four advanced screening machines now deployed at the airport will each be moved about five feet forward at their security checkpoints.

Passengers will not be required to go through the machines. If they object, they can expect to receive a pat-down search as well as metal detector screening.

Offered the choice of screening options, 98 percent of passengers agree to the advanced imaging machines, the TSA says.

-- Michael Dresser, Baltimore Sun

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