The TSA in 2011 announced it would spend $44.8 million to purchase 300 of the new L-3 ProVision ATD units to be deployed at 29 airports in the U.S. Instead of an explicit "naked" image, the new machine offers a rougher outline of a passenger's body that's similar to the A-shaped silhouette of "Gumby," the green clay cartoon character.
And the new machines may even speed up the security screening process. George Naccara, TSA's federal security director-Massachusetts, told Air Transport World that the machines may be "nearly as fast" as walk-through metal detectors.
It's a move in the right direction where passengers can feel more comfortable knowing their images aren't quite as revealing, yet still maintain a high level of security.
I'm not an "opt out" kind of traveler currently. I feel the physical screening is more invasive to my privacy. Having another person I don't even know get very personal during a pat down just creeps me out.
How about you? Do you opt out today or go through the scanners?