It may look intimidating at first…new technology often is. But flying out of Reno may have just gotten a lot safer, with Reno's new full-body scanner. Susan Clark, the Federal Security Director at the airport calls it "The newest software available on the A.I.T. (Advanced Imaging Technology), and it's called A.T.R., which is automatic target resolution."
What this means for you is a quicker screening. We watched it in action this morning as TSA agents gave it a run-through…the whole screening process takes only about 3 seconds. The only difference is you hold up your arms as you go through. If you're OK, a flat screen flashes green with no image. If it detects something, it gives the TSA agent a line drawing so the officers can check and see what that is.
There are concerns over what the agent can see. Lorie Dankers, the TSA's public affairs manager for Nevada told us it "creates a generic image whether you're male or female. Generic...some people call it an avatar. Some call it the gingerbread cut out."
It's really like the line drawing on a restroom door. The machine instead highlights any anomalies under clothing, as slight as a tissue. The TSA knows the greatest threat is a non-metallic explosive device, which they say this can spot. Dankers says "It can quickly detect metallic and non-metallic items that may be concealed in passenger's clothing."
Despite the new technology, you still have to empty your pockets and take off your shoes, but it's grope-free, and easier for kids and seniors. Those younger than 12 and older than 75 don't have to remove shoes or outerwear for this. The reason for that: the TSA's latest threat data. Susan Clark says "That is analyzed and then we take a look at our risk." So those ages aren't seen as threats? "Ah, we take a look at overall threat analysis for different groups."
There are concerns about radioactivity, but the new scanner is technically not an X-Ray and uses a much weaker wave emission. And since it doesn't show private body parts, Clark says it's no big deal for Reno's fliers. She calls it a time saver. "I do. I fly a lot and I do walk through that, the A.I.T. I prefer it."
The new scanner is in its training phase and will be ready for fliers in a week. The TSA says 99% percent of folks prefer it. But the older scanner and pat-down will be optional if you're not comfortable going through it.
Written by John Potter
