Mobile x-ray scanners

[LCHIEN]

Check out this X-ray technology:

http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenber...t-roving-vans/

[woodturner]

Check out this X-ray technology:

http://blogs.forbes.com/andygreenber...t-roving-vans/

Kind of reminds me of the Heinlein book "The Puppet Masters". Alien invaders attach to the spine and control their human host. As countermeasures are developed, the aliens adapt. People end up walking around naked, carrying nothing in which the aliens could hide, and carrying a gun to immediately shoot all suspected "puppets".

A friend has suggested - only half-jokingly - that we should just fly naked.

Balancing the privacy and security issues is a big problem. I personally am not comfortable with the full-body scanners, even if the TSA doesn't allow the person viewing the images to see me.

I think it is really sad that there are people out there that force us to consider these kinds of options. I wish there were a better way.

[cabinetman]

I can definitely see the benefit. It begs the question of the legality of "unwarranted or unauthorized" search of personal property, such as vehicles, storage containers, etc. It may provide a basis for probable cause.

With its introduction and being publicized, it may be a deterrent to have contraband in a vehicle knowing it's somewhat viewable.
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[MilDoc]

A friend has suggested - only half-jokingly - that we should just fly naked.

Uh. no. I fly economy. See a really pretty women and suddenly there would not be enough.... uh .... leg room.

<No offense meant for the women on this site!>

[MilDoc]

I can definitely see the benefit. It begs the question of the legality of "unwarranted or unauthorized" search of personal property, such as vehicles, storage containers, etc. It may provide a basis for probable cause.

With its introduction and being publicized, it may be a deterrent to have contraband in a vehicle knowing it's somewhat viewable.
.

Well depends on how accurate they are at identifying "contraband." A big pack of drugs, guns, sure. What about smaller things? Especially if shielded?

Not too hard a technology to defeat. And the vans thus far are very easy to recognize it seems.

[LCHIEN]

Well depends on how accurate they are at identifying "contraband." A big pack of drugs, guns, sure. What about smaller things? Especially if shielded?

Not too hard a technology to defeat. And the vans thus far are very easy to recognize it seems.

I could certainly see the utility for:
A Oklahoma city style bomb in an unattended truck parked in front of a public building
A truckload full of illegal human smugglees.
A truck full of weapons and or terrorists at a public place (like a sporting event)
A truck with a bunch of hidden compartments or drugs in the tires, vehicle body, or in the gas tank like are frequently used to cross the border.
Checking out a trailer or RV or small home in the event of a armed standoff and wanting to know how many people or where the hostages and actors are.

[gsmittle]

I personally am not comfortable with the full-body scanners, even if the TSA doesn't allow the person viewing the images to see me.

I figure that the person viewing my scan deserves what they get. Poor security person will probably want to gouge their eyes out!

Maybe it's me, but I see clear 4th Amendment issues.

g.

[sparkeyjames]

My solution is much much cheaper. No more having to pay TSA goons or buy expensive xray scanners that invade privacy. My solution is that every sane non drunk able bodied person that gets on an airplane will be given a loaded gun in a holster with a lock that only opens if the pilot or steward(ess) hits a special button in the cockpit/kitchen. Problem solved. Everyone will be on their utmost tip top best behavior. Upon disembarking the guns will be collected and used on the next flight. All baggage will of course have to be x-rayed to remove the possibility of carry on bombs but that streamlines things as people will no longer have to be searched for weapons. A new class of gun owner will be created called a "trusted owner" and those will be allowed to carry their own weapon on any plane flight. In order to be a trusted owner a gun owner must pass a few more tests to prove their mental stability and prove they have advanced gun use and safety training. Airlines will be given incentives to hire "trusted owners" to serve as part of the flight crews. This will alleviate the use of Federal Marshall's on private planes such as those owned by the airline industry.

Yeah it's crazy but isn't what is going on right now just as crazy?

[LCHIEN]

I have a better solution:
When boarding the plane each passenger is given a drug that knocks him/her out.
The bodies can be stacked like cordwood saving cabin space, no drinks or food needs be served. The restrooms don't need to be used saving cleaning and turnaround time. Cabn crew can be reduced as there won't be any service to speak of, even the safety lecture need not be held. No pre-boarding screening, no hijacking, no safety issues, no passenger panic.

Upon arriving at the terminal gate, an pneumatic injection of the sedative antidote can be given and all passengers will awaken, refreshed and happy. No issues with call phones, electronics devices, etc.

The airlines will save lots of money and the passengers will be so happy.

[cabinetman]

I have a better solution:
When boarding the plane each passenger is given a drug that knocks him/her out.
The bodies can be stacked like cordwood saving cabin space, no drinks or food needs be served. The restrooms don't need to be used saving cleaning and turnaround time. Cabn crew can be reduced as there won't be any service to speak of, even the safety lecture need not be held. No pre-boarding screening, no hijacking, no safety issues, no passenger panic.

Upon arriving at the terminal gate, an pneumatic injection of the sedative antidote can be given and all passengers will awaken, refreshed and happy. No issues with call phones, electronics devices, etc.

The airlines will save lots of money and the passengers will be so happy.

That method might require a different type of cabin crew...weight lifters. How would you recommend the bodies be stacked...all heads on one side, or alternate heads and feet? The airlines would have to purchase a bunch of ratcheting straps to bind up the people nice and tight.
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[woodturner]

Not too hard a technology to defeat. And the vans thus far are very easy to recognize it seems.

As with many devices like this, what is reported on the news is often a tiny portion of what is available and in use.

I am somewhat aware of the technical issues, and in my opinion some of the technologies in use for these applications are not that easy to defeat. The news report referenced only Xray sensors, but technology offers many more effective alternatives that are not easily defeated.

[LCHIEN]

That method might require a different type of cabin crew...weight lifters. How would you recommend the bodies be stacked...all heads on one side, or alternate heads and feet? The airlines would have to purchase a bunch of ratcheting straps to bind up the people nice and tight.
.

It doesn't matter how they'll be stacked, you won't know or rememeber.
OK, so they should be tucked into racks and slings or hammocks so they're not on top of each other. I guess no one want's to wake up with bruises. Still would be able to pack them in more densly floor to ceiling than with conventional chairs. No need for magazines, in-flight store brochures, air sick bags. No more arguing over window or aisle seat, though...

[Kristofor]

The C-5 could carry ~25 million ping-pong balls, but only ~2.5 million golf balls. I'm guessing in your average passenger plane cabin volume may be less of an issue than max weight allowance. I'd guess you probably can't add too many more folks and their gear before you need to start tacking on bigger engines.

[woodturner]

The C-5 could carry ~25 million ping-pong balls, but only ~2.5 million golf balls.

Sounds like there could be a story behind that information.......

[LCHIEN]

The C-5 could carry ~25 million ping-pong balls, but only ~2.5 million golf balls. I'm guessing in your average passenger plane cabin volume may be less of an issue than max weight allowance. I'd guess you probably can't add too many more folks and their gear before you need to start tacking on bigger engines.

So you're trying to make the case I can't put more bodies on the same plane???
so lets make the plane smaller with the same engines and payload capacity and save a lot of fuel not having to carry so much airplane around.
It's a win-win situation.