No one should have any doubt. Once the next airliner comes down from a terrorist attack, killing everyone aboard, the US will start using body scanning for all passengers. It will happen by executive order the next day.
Until then, every time I fly, I carefully say goodbye to my wife, as I know there is an (albeit very small) chance I will die that day. This has been true every day since 9/11, despite the fact that we already have the technology to check every passenger for bombs.
We don't use the technology, because misguided so called privacy advocates (actually just common idiots) insist they somehow violate your rights.
And before you say that driving a car is more dangerous, consider that when we do have the next successful terrorist attack on aviation, the fragile global economy will go into a tailspin. Thats how terrorism works of course. Its not the numbers of people that die; its the perception.
Its already been explained until we are all nauseated, that these machines already have tremendous safeguards built in. Yes, the operator gets to see you naked, but he or she is in a remote location and cannot see your face. He cannot save or manipulate the image either.
Furthermore, even if they could, so what? If you have a problem with this, don't fly. Or take the pat-down line, which will be slow and torturous and take an extra hour, but thats your hangup.
These so called piracy advocates aren't advocating for this progressive. They are gambling with my life.
By the way, the always ahead of the curve Dutch just instituted 100% full body scanning for all US bound flights: http://www.bloomberg.com/...
We have known for some time how to actually protect the US traveler, as opposed to the current fake security designed to make you feel better while confiscating your toenail polish.
First, use the body scanners 100%. Fuck the cost. Take a few billion from TARP.
Second, copy the Israelis and have a national travel card system, which includes an extensive background check and psychological profile. Once complete, you go through a fast track line. You still get a body scan, but the rest of the passengers would be subject to much stricter security.
The American public has said over and over their primary concern is with security with regards to aviation. They are way ahead of the government on this one. I am a fairly frequent traveler (about 30 flights a year) and I don't mind at all an extra hour or two wait if its dedicated to my safety.
There are many other things that need to happen too. All luggage needs to be scanned, and numerous loopholes with the current system need to be plugged. Some of those will take time, but a lot is common sense.
I wish we didn't have to wait for the next terrorist attack, but I do fear that we will. Its kinda like Roosevelt waiting for Pearl Harbor before declaring war, and I fear it will happen the same way.
Finally, there is a CNN poll on their website today. To the 29% of the people who are not willing to undergo a full body scan, I say, Amtrak service is pretty nice lately, and won't be requiring body scans anytime soon.