The South Bend Regional Airport now has a body scanner. The first passenger went through the new machine at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. But the new machine is bringing up an old debate, privacy versus security?
Erik Anderson was flying to Sydney, Australia and there was something new about his visit Wednesday at the security check point. This advanced image technology device. "Thought it went smoothly, worked well," said Anderson.
Now when passengers approach the security check point they'll be greeted by this sign letting them know about the new technology and what to do before going through. One small change, passengers will now have to empty everything out of their pockets.
TSA Spokesman, Jim Fotenos said, "handkerchiefs, tissues, a wallet. These things all need to come out because it's looking for more than just metal."
Once passengers get to the body scanner the Fotenos said it's a fairly simple process. "An officer will direct a passenger into the machine, they hold their hands above their head for just a second and step right out."
On a screen next to the scanner TSA employees will either see a green "OK" or Fotenos said, "If there's an item found a small box is displayed on the location of that item."
What employees won't see is a detailed image of your body. "This technology uses a generic outline for each passenger. Every passenger appears the same at the checkpoint," said Fotenos. And that puts travelers more at ease.
"I appreciate that they've made the change where they get the image that they need and not more than what they need," said Anderson.
The TSA also wants to put passengers at ease about radiation. "It's thousands of times less than what is used by your cell phone," said Fotenos. He adds it's safe for every passenger while passengers say it makes them feel safer. "I feel more secure with it I think it's a more thorough process than what they've had in the past," said Anderson.
Passengers can still opt out of going through the body scanner and will then receive a pat down.
With the addition of the body scanner the expansion of the terminal building at the airport is now complete.
The 27 month long project cost between 15 and 16 million dollars. The airports executive director says the goal of the expansion is to provide a better traveling experience. John Schalliol/South Bend Airport Executive Director "Before we had two security checkpoints neither one allowed enough passengers in the hold room area to warrant restaurant facilities, business center, kids play room. We have all of those amenities now," said South Bend Airport Executive John Schalliol.
Schalliol added that he loves to hear passengers so taken a back by the improvements that they say "I think I'm in the wrong city."
