TSA In The USA: Surviving The Scanners

Enhanced security measures, pat-downs and full body imaging (scanners) are now a presence at America's airports, and travelers are not happy. "I'll never fly again," some say. "This is sexual assault," others are protesting. But regardless of how you feel about the personal freedom aspect of these new security steps, we are faced with a sobering reality: people out there are trying to harm us.

No one really knows the true magnitude of this threat. The sensationalist nature of the media with their need to stir up controversy may be exaggerating how much we need to worry about terrorism. But it only takes one person to slip by--one person, in the millions of travelers that go through our airports each day. Just think of the responsibility on the TSA's shoulders.

Those who travel on a regular basis--business people, adventurers--understand the need for this added security and realize that the best way to survive the scanners is to follow a few simple tips. Here are some of them:

Be Prepared

Sounds like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people are totally cluless when it comes to exactly what they should and should not have ready at the checkpoints. Remember to take off your belt and jewelry, wear shoes that can slip on and off easily, don't wear layers of clothing that might be easy to conceal something inside, have as little in your pockets as possible and have your liquids (3 oz. max) in see-through bags. Pain in the butt, yes. However if we all did this, the line at the checkpoint would sail along.

Be Nice

"You can catch a lot more flies with honey than you can with vinegar." Ever heard this old saying? Well, its especially true with the TSA. They are just people, like you and I, and they are only doing their jobs. Again, it might sound elementary, but you'd be surprised how far a smile and a courteous tone will get you in the world, and TSA agents are no exceptions. Treat them nicely and you'll most likely get the same in return.

Trunk Your Junk

Don't want anyone to see your privates while going through those full body imagers? A company called Flying Pasties offers a variety of reusable, non-stick cards that slip into your clothing and, according to the company, "obscures your private areas and blocks radiation when you pass through airport scanners." Seems like a good way for the more shy among us to maintain a certain level of privacy, though there is no telling whether wearing the pasties might get you singled out for a more "enhanced" pat down, so beware.

Benjamin Franklin said: "Those who give up essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety." But he could not have envisioned the world we live in today with global air travel and the ability for one madman with a bomb in their underwear to end the lives of hundreds. People say that these security measures are too invasive and unconstitutional. But these are the same people who scream that the government doesn't do enough when an attack does happen. Added security doesn't mean the terrorists have won. The terrorists have won when we stay home, when we stop traveling. So get out there and survive the scanners.

sources: natgeomaps.com, natgeomaps.blogspot.com photo: natgeomaps.blogspot.com

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