The Airport Body Scanners Back in the News

The DC Court of Appeals ruled that while the body scanners used in American airports are constitutional, they were rolled out too fast and public comment must be solicited by the TSA. There have been some ugly scenes created as a result of these machines and many still refuse to go through them. Constitutional issues aside, there is the health risk of going through these machines that emit a larger than normal amount of radiation.

In my recent travels this month, I was finally asked to go through the body scanner and refused. Unfortunately, the TSA individual did not know the law that travelers can refuse and opt for a pat down. After educating this individual and threatening to report his badge number to the Governor's Office, as well as Congressman John Mica, who happens to be the Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he relented and allowed the pat down to take place. The TSA individual who did the pat down, to his credit, was very professional in his actions. And to further credit the offices of John Mica and Governor Fortuno, I was pleased with their attempts at following up my complaint!

As citizens, we play a role in this conflict. If any readers feel they have been wronged or mistreated by the TSA as a result of their refusal to go thorough the airport body scanners, it is imperative to not only contact your local Congressman, but also Congressman John Mica's office, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Tranportation and Infrastructure. His contact info is as follows:

Congressman John Mica
2187 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4035
Fax: (202) 226-0821
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