TSA: Head-to-toe screening, Millimeter Wave

“Terrorist have used baggy clothing to hide weapons and explosives in the past, including in 2004 when Chechen rebels posed as pregnant women and smuggled explosives aboard two Russian jetliners, killing 90 people.

While passengers can wear any type of clothing they desire, baggy, loose fitting, bulky clothing and head coverings that are non form-fitting present a particular challenge for officers in their mission to ensure IEDs are not smuggled on board. Passengers could be subjected to additional screening to further evaluate any item that could hide explosives or their components.” - from the TSA website.

 The TSA has also announced that the “bulky clothing” category includes headwear:

WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today adjusted its security procedures for headwear and is now including the screening procedures for headwear within the overall category of bulky clothing and not calling it out as a separate category.

Removal of all headwear is recommended but the rules accommodate those with religious, medical, or other reasons for whom removing items is not comfortable. Transportation security officers have several options for screening passengers who choose not to remove bulky clothing, including headwear.

These options include:

• Trace portals (where available)
• Trace detection
• Pat downs

 And are you ready for MILLIMETER WAVE Whole Body Imaging - a new technology on trial in Phoenix? It’s billed as an alternative to the all-too-friendly pat-down for secondary security  screening. It looks like a phone booth, but it can see right through you…