Paris Airport Begins Using First Body
Scanners
Paris, France -- France introduced its first body
scanners at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on 22
February 2010.
The scanners will be 'undressing' passengers bound for
the United States.
Using recent technology based on millimetric radio
waves, the scanners will be able to see objects through
passengers' clothes.
Marie-Helene, a French passenger scheduled to fly to
Miami, said it was similar to a normal security check.
"It's not really different, you go in, you put your
hands up and you are scanned. the feeling is the same as
a normal check," she said.
An American passenger, Michael Ramel welcomed the new
scanner, saying it was "safer and easier."
The scanner will be going through an experimental stage
and passengers will have the choice between the new
machine and the traditional body search.
Another French passenger on her way to Miami had
reservations.
"It depends. If everyone can see the picture of me, I
would rather the physical search," Agnes said.
The technology uses millimetric waves which do not go
through the body, unlike the X-rays used by other
devices and which show the skeleton of the passenger.
Head of the French civil aviation authority, Patrick
Gandil, said there was no danger.
"However, it will reflect on objects hidden under the
clothes and therefore we will be able to have a very
good visualisation of everything situated on the skin
and without any necessary contact", he said.
Only the operator, in a closed room, would see the
image, and they would be of the same sex as the
passenger.
Less than five seconds are required to scan a passenger
to detect any object, whether metallic or made of
plastic.
