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Full-body scanners are rarely out of the news at the moment, but as pilots call for an opt-out of the scans, what should the ordinary traveler do? It\u2019s for you to make up your own mind, of course, but here are some pros and cons for choosing each option. <\/p>\n Pros: <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s the easiest option:<\/strong> If you\u2019re late for a flight or you\u2019re not the type to draw attention to yourself, the easiest way to get through the various indignities of security is by taking the scan. Although it takes longer to get through than a traditional security scanner \u2013 you have to wait while a TSA agent remotely checks your picture before you can retrieve your belongings \u2013 it\u2019s still quicker than refusing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s supporting the government\u2019s anti-terror stance: <\/strong>You could argue that full-body scans are an imperative of air travel in the modern world \u2013 and if you want to feel safe on a plane, you\u2019ll have to put up with a little indignity.<\/p>\n Cons: <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Someone gets to see you naked: <\/strong>And even though they say your face is obscured, you know that you\u2019ll be wondering whether it really was for the rest of the flight. And if you\u2019ve been travelling, chances are you haven\u2019t been working out for the cameras.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n S<\/strong>canners emit a small amount of radiation:<\/strong> Scientists say it\u2019s negligible even compared to a trip to a place of high altitude such as Denverm but pilots are arguing that the radiation absorbed by the body during the scans is unacceptable. It\u2019s up to you what side you come down on.<\/p>\n Ref<\/strong>using the scan<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pros: <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n N<\/strong>o one gets to see you naked: <\/strong>Let\u2019s be honest, that\u2019s the real reason you\u2019re turning down the full-body scan. You\u2019re embarrassed, and rather than be silently embarrassed like everyone else who goes on through reluctantly, you\u2019re brave enough to admit it. So yes, the main advantage of refusing the scan is that nobody in the room next door gets to see you naked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019re not exposed to any radiation:<\/strong> The TSA says that the radiation you\u2019re exposed to while having a full-body scan is miniscule \u2013 less than you\u2019ll get on the flight you\u2019re about to take \u2013 but pilots are objecting to the scans on the grounds of safety. If you opt out, you\u2019ll be safe either way.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to wait:<\/strong> If you go through the full-body scanner you should go straight through. If you refuse it, though, you\u2019ll have to wait for a TSA agent of your sex to have time for a pat-down. And from my experience, it can be a while. So make sure you arrive at security with plenty of time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Y<\/strong>ou\u2019ll get intimate with the TSA:<\/strong> When the full body scanners first came out (and when I turned one down this autumn) the TSA patdowns were harmless enough \u2013 mine was conducted politely and completely non-invasive, done with the back of the hand. However, in the last few weeks, procedure has changed to an \u201copen palm\u201d rule \u2013 which may not be so pleasant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nTaking the scan<\/strong><\/p>\n