My Thoughts On Airport Security-fu
Nov. 17th, 2010 12:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deirdreI'm a survivor of sexual assault. I've got an upcoming trip. I've had to think a lot about what I would do, and here's my current thoughts on the matter. (Feel free to link if you're so inclined)
First, my parents worked at an atom smasher, so even though I don't know a ton about radiation, I know more than the average person. I've seen what radiation has done to friends and family going through cancer, and there's simply no way you're going to get me to voluntarily submit to ionizing radiation, even small amounts, unless it's necessary to diagnose something that will otherwise kill me -- especially given that I already have thyroid problems, possibly as a result of early radiation exposure.
I think the TSA employees should be required to wear dosimeters; currently, they're apparently prohibited from using them. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I think the UCSF docs raised some valid questions, and the TSA admits that all the dose is being delivered to the skin. Thanks, no, already at elevated risk of skin cancer.
Second, even if there weren't ionizing radiation (as there are two kinds of machines [1]) -- after being raped, the porno scanner feels very much like being assaulted again.
What's my other choice? Actually being battered again.
So, what to do? I've chosen to take increased certainty of life and limb over emotional health. I will be opting out of the scanners. That said, there is no way I'm going to go into a back room to be groped. I'm going to insist on two things: 1) it must be done in full public view with witnesses in view of the cameras; 2) I must have a line of sight to my belongings at all times during the process. I believe these are reasonable requests.
Am I going to travel less? Get back to me later with that question. For now, the answer is no.
Also? If this were the 60s, there'd be nude-outs in front of the backscatter mfrs' offices. Just sayin'.
Sometimes I miss the 60s. This would be one of those times.
Update: added a couple of points of clarification, as well as a link to this "success story."
[1] Millimeter wave scanners do not use ionizing radiation, but I do not feel the long-term health effects have been sufficiently studied. Backscatter x-rays do use ionizing radiation.
First, my parents worked at an atom smasher, so even though I don't know a ton about radiation, I know more than the average person. I've seen what radiation has done to friends and family going through cancer, and there's simply no way you're going to get me to voluntarily submit to ionizing radiation, even small amounts, unless it's necessary to diagnose something that will otherwise kill me -- especially given that I already have thyroid problems, possibly as a result of early radiation exposure.
I think the TSA employees should be required to wear dosimeters; currently, they're apparently prohibited from using them. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I think the UCSF docs raised some valid questions, and the TSA admits that all the dose is being delivered to the skin. Thanks, no, already at elevated risk of skin cancer.
Second, even if there weren't ionizing radiation (as there are two kinds of machines [1]) -- after being raped, the porno scanner feels very much like being assaulted again.
What's my other choice? Actually being battered again.
So, what to do? I've chosen to take increased certainty of life and limb over emotional health. I will be opting out of the scanners. That said, there is no way I'm going to go into a back room to be groped. I'm going to insist on two things: 1) it must be done in full public view with witnesses in view of the cameras; 2) I must have a line of sight to my belongings at all times during the process. I believe these are reasonable requests.
Am I going to travel less? Get back to me later with that question. For now, the answer is no.
Also? If this were the 60s, there'd be nude-outs in front of the backscatter mfrs' offices. Just sayin'.
Sometimes I miss the 60s. This would be one of those times.
Update: added a couple of points of clarification, as well as a link to this "success story."
[1] Millimeter wave scanners do not use ionizing radiation, but I do not feel the long-term health effects have been sufficiently studied. Backscatter x-rays do use ionizing radiation.