7 chapters across the catalog
An ABC News investigation reveals that $184 million worth of high-tech security equipment is sitting unused in a TSA warehouse in Dallas, Texas. While Secretary Janet Napolitano claims the technology is effective, the delay in deployment is questioned alongside the sudden news of new "body bomb" threats.
The discussion continues with Senator Susan Collins' call for independent health studies on TSA x-ray scanners following reports of miscarriages. They also deconstruct the "SPOT" (Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques) program, which the GAO found to be scientifically unvalidated and a failure in identifying threats.
EU Airport Scanner Ban, Millimeter Wave Technology
The European Union's ban on X-ray body scanners at airports is identified as a transition to millimeter wave technology rather than a reduction in security. Concerns are raised regarding the lack of long-term testing for millimeter wave radiation and its potential effects on human DNA. The hosts argue that behavioral screening, as used in Israel, is more effective than technological solutions.
TSA Body Scanners, Savannah Train Terminal Groping Video
The discussion covers the implementation of new body scanners in Australia for drug detection and the lack of scanner use in some European airports. A specific video from the Savannah train terminal is described, showing TSA agents searching children after they disembarked from a train, which the hosts characterize as "submission training."
TSA Body Scanner Radiation and Airport Security
The safety of TSA full-body scanners is questioned following reports in the Seattle Times and New York Times regarding radiation exposure and equipment malfunctions. John C. Dvorak describes his experience at the Las Vegas airport, observing TSA agents standing in close proximity to active scanners for extended periods. The hosts express concern over the long-term health effects of "spurious radiation" on both passengers and security personnel.
Airport Security 2012, Truck Scanners and Smith's Detection
The TSA may lift the ban on liquids by 2012 as new explosive detection equipment is deployed. Meanwhile, a counter-terrorism operation in Atlanta involved scanning semi-trucks with handheld devices. The hosts highlight "Smith's Detection," a company producing high-powered X-ray systems capable of penetrating a foot of steel, raising health concerns for drivers.
Adam Curry describes a confrontation with TSA agents at LAX while attempting to fly to Amsterdam. Curry opted out of the full-body x-ray scanner due to health concerns, triggering a "manual pat down" and a swab for explosives. He critiques the new transparency of the scanner images, noting that they now display more anatomical detail than previous blurred versions.
