One-bag, carry-on, light travel tips, techniques, and gear

If you don’t like having your soft tissue displayed on a TSA monitor, consider signing the Privacy Coalition’s petition:

The Privacy Coalition is engaged in a campaign to suspend the use of “Whole Body Imaging” — devices that photograph American air travelers stripped naked in US airports. The campaign responds to a policy reversal by the TSA which would now make the “virtual strip search” mandatory, instead of voluntary as originally announced. EPIC and others say that there are inadequate safeguards to prevent the misuse of the images. We are asking Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to suspend the program and allow for public comment. For more information, see EPIC’s Whole Body Imaging page.

Organizations, experts, and air travelers are invited to sign on to the letter below urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to suspend the program until the privacy and security risks are fully evaluated. - sign letter/petition here

(Thanks to Til for finding this)

Update on May 20, 2009 by

Frank@OBOW

The TSA, gotta love ‘em. If you want avoid the virtual strip search just act like a hyperactive toddler and wiggle, alot:

“This question keeps popping up on our blog as well as other forums around the internet. Will children be screened by Whole Body Imagers (WBI)?

Yes and no.

Anybody can opt out of WBI screening. Adults, children, Klingons, etc… If you opt out of WBI screening, you will receive a patdown search in lieu of the WBI screening.

Children are allowed to be screened by the WBI if they’re able to stand motionless with their arms outstretched and feet shoulder width apart for 5 seconds. (If your child is like my 4 year old, they can’t stand still for a single second unless they’re watching that yellow sponge guy who shares my name)” - TSA Evolution of Security blog