Watch CBS News

Body Scan Debate Heating Up

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Just a week before one of the busiest travel days of the year, the airport body scanner debate is raging after a San Diego man refused the scan and the full body pat-down then posted videos of the argument on the internet.

Officials insist the scans are completely anonymous and the images only viewed behind closed doors. Some argue the scans are just too personal, but travelers at Philadelphia International Airport seem to think the scans are fine – and even welcomed if they can speed up the security lines.

Tom Curran was just about to go through his first body scan, and said he has no problem with it, but he thinks there has to be a better way.

His solution would be increased profiling to single out those more likely to do harm:

"When little old ladies are being patted down, I would object to that. Now, I'm a male aged 65, if you have to do it, you have to do it, but I think there are probably better targets."

Pat-downs are a different story, people say they may be a little too personal, one traveler even comparing it to a prison search.

Reported by Jim Melwert, KYW Newsradio

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.