Full body scanning experience

[Justin L]

I'm currently in Albuquerque airport (or Sunport as they call it) in New Mexico, USA and they have those full body scanning units set up at security here that do the full x-ray.

It was the first time I had seen these machines in person and the first time I had gone through one. You have to take everything out of your pockets including non-metal items such as tissues and removing of belts is mandatory. Once you enter the unit you place your hands over your head as the inner unit swivels around you. You then exit and have to wait at a secondary point until security personnel get the all clear in their ear piece from the person checking the x-ray image.

Luckily the airport wasn't busy as it probably triples the time it takes to walk through a metal detector.

Anyway, I thought I'd share the experience as perhaps not many board members would have experienced this process yet.

[Gareth Forwood]

I thought these were supposed to be more conventient for the passenger - were there any benefits you saw from taking the full body scan? If you had the choice would you take it again, or opt for the current procedures?

[Justin L]

There was signage at the security checkpoint stating that going through the x-ray machine was voluntary. However, the sign also stated that if you refused, you would need to undergo a full body pat down - which would undoubtedly slow down the process further. There was no option for the "regular" metal detector procedure.

I understand that this is the world we now live in, but airport security here in the US certainly is a chore. But, on saying that I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[Daniel M]

will be in ABQ so look forward to giving them a go!