PTI implements new body scanners
May 22, 2012, 04:33 pm
A summary report by the Department of Homeland Security said it spent $87 million to replace old magnetometer metal detectors with new X-ray body scanners, $10 million was for installation as well as an additional $7 million was spent to “remove the human factor from the image review process,” and replace the human image with an avatar.
The Transportation Security Administration installed two of the new full-body scanners at Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina recently. The machines are paid for by the federal government and cost $150,000 each.
"Imaging technology is optional," said Jon Allen, a spokesman for the TSA in Atlanta. "If for any reason a passenger is not comfortable with the technology, they can opt out of it. They will receive a thorough pat-down as an alternative."
PTI expects the new technology to speed up security lines and increase overall efficiency of the airport. The machines are in about 180 airports across the country, and 99 percent of passengers choose to go through the body scanner when given the choice of a scan or pat-down.
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