Revolt against the TSA looms as full-body scanners, 'grope-downs' earn disdain

As we expected a while ago, things are coming to a head over the new full-body scanners that show just about everything to viewers of the scan. The idea of a revolt against the TSA, including an "opt out" day, is circulating, with a Facebook group and a webpage.

The idea of a revolt against the TSA comes beczuse of the well-known problem with full-body or backscatter scanners: the images are so precise (as shown above) that many consider them virtual strip searches. On the other hand, as you can see, it would be obviously be harder to hide any incendiary or explosive devices.

However, it's also hard to hide your modesty. Additionally, the long-term health effects of exposure to the more powerful scans, not just for passengers, but for flight crew and TSA agents, is unknown.

Unfortunately, while many are unaware that they can opt-out of the full-body scan, it means that instead, those who opt-out are subjected to a pat down that many have called "sexual molestation."

A Facebook group has formed to lead the revolt against the TSA. It's called "National Opt Out of the Airport Scanners Day." With only around 1,100 fans, it hasn't really caught on, but there is also a website, www.optoutday.com, designed around the same idea.

Opt Out Day would be Nov. 24th, if all goes as planned. The plan, however, is to opt out of the scanners, not completely out of security measures. That would mean such passengers would face either the group-style pat downs, or no flight at all.

At the same time, pilots and flight crew are beginning their own revolt against the TSA. Captain Dave Bates, president of the Allied Pilots Association, wrote a letter demanding private security screening for airline pilots, saying

"There is absolutely no denying that the enhanced pat-down is a demeaning experience. In my view, it is unacceptable to submit to one in public while wearing the uniform of a professional airline pilot. I recommend that all pilots insist that such screening is performed in an out-of-view area to protect their privacy and dignity."

Most contend that the full-body scanners do little, if anything, to prevent terrorism, and that terrorists are always one step ahead, anyway. Instead, they contend, we should not be looking for bombs, but for bombers.

It is true, however, that a full-body scanner would have caught 2009's "underwear bomber," prior to his boarding a plane. It's also true that the conclusion of its effectiveness in that case came after the fact, meaning that indeed the terrorists were again one step ahead.

Now the question is: how many will revolt against the TSA on Nov. 24th?  And another good question is: assuming full-body scanners are pulled, and some event happens in the future that could have been prevented with them, will anyone remember their disdain of the technology, or will they simply blame the government?