V-Flyer

After all the initial fuss I haven't heard anything lately about the use of full body scanners at airports. Does anyone know please if they are used at LGW ? Is it random or does everyone go thru it ?
Thank You.
hiljil

I don't think they are being used 100% of the time currently, although ISTBC on this. We used one coming back through SFO in June and they do take longer than the normal scanners so I think if it is really busy they might mix it up to help the queues move.

hiljil wrote:After all the initial fuss I haven't heard anything lately about the use of full body scanners at airports. Does anyone know please if they are used at LGW ? Is it random or does everyone go thru it ?
Thank You.
hiljil

My understanding is that use is random BUT if you refuse you could very well be denied boarding. There was a news report a few months ago of this actullly happening.

I found this leaflet on the LGW website

The last para makes it clear that you will not be offered an alternative (i.e the 'normal') screening method if you are selected for body scaning and

Therefore, a passenger that refuses to be screened will not be allowed to travel

Thank you. That is very helpful.
Regards
hiljil

MAN is also supposed to have these full body scanners now but I've yet to see them, yet alone use them when ever I pass though T3?

mitchja wrote:MAN is also supposed to have these full body scanners now but I've yet to see them, yet alone use them when ever I pass though T3?

They are at the far right of the checkpoint.
Couldn't use them even when I volunteered!

I went through a body scanner at Boston airport.

took about 5 seconds.

rich1664 wrote:I went through a body scanner at Boston airport.

took about 5 seconds.

Really? When we went through them at SFO the actual scanning didn't take long, but then we had to stand to the side and wait whilst the agent stood at the scanner got the okay from the person viewing the image. It didn't take ages but took quite a bit longer than the normal scanners which give instant approval.

Sounds different.

I was stood in place and told to lift my arms above my head.

After about 5 seconds I was waved on. As I was waiting for my bags to come through the scanner I watched the guy behind me go through it, so I got see what the security agent saw. The agent checking it doesn't see the 'body scan' image just a screen with a logo on it, that went green when he was cleared and he too was waved on.

rich1664 wrote:Sounds different.

I was stood in place and told to lift my arms above my head.

After about 5 seconds I was waved on. As I was waiting for my bags to come through the scanner I watched the guy behind me go through it, so I got see what the security agent saw. The agent checking it doesn't see the 'body scan' image just a screen with a logo on it, that went green when he was cleared and he too was waved on.

The person looking and checking the scan is remote from the scanner so thay can't associate an actual person with the image they are seeing but they need a system of saying 'yes' or 'no' this person is 'clear' and this is what you saw.

There's a bit more info and a demo vid here from the Manchester Airport website.

rich1664 wrote:I went through a body scanner at Boston airport.

took about 5 seconds.

Went through BOS in June, had a 5 minute wait in line followed by 5 seconds in the scanner. Once you come out the other side I had a further 10 second wait whilst the operator sends a message via a walkie talkie to the security personnel to let you through.

The person behind me got a right ear bashing for leaving items in his pockets B)

-Steve

mitchja wrote:MAN is also supposed to have these full body scanners now but I've yet to see them, yet alone use them when ever I pass though T3?

Hi James

They are in terminal 2 (is that the one the VS use ?| ).

There is a little turnstyle as you go into the scanning area which directs you left (normal scan) or right (new body scanner), I was put to the left when checking in a couple of weeks ago, but the guy after me was put to the right. I was actually through quicker, but probably because it was so quiet.

David

tontybear wrote:I found this leaflet on the LGW website

The last para makes it clear that you will not be offered an alternative (i.e the 'normal') screening method if you are selected for body scaning and

Therefore, a passenger that refuses to be screened will not be allowed to travel

Just out of interest, is the case in the US? I saw notices at both SEA and SFO that if unhappy with a "wand" screening you could opt for the latex glove treatment...

pjh wrote:
Just out of interest, is the case in the US?

It was 8am and having only got to bed at 1am I didn't notice any notices, just following where I was directed like the good little travel lemming I am....

They were in use at LAX not so long ago - the queue didn't seem to take too long either.

They were in use in SFO in July and were holding up the line considerably until a supervisor came and told the agents to use the regular arch.

I was made use it in SFO last year

rich1664 wrote:I went through a body scanner at Boston airport.

took about 5 seconds.

Painless and efficient and I try not to think about who is seeing my underclothing.

They are the reason your mother told you to always wear clean underwear!

They have been using them for well over a year at DME (Moscow).
Started well before the fuss and very few knew what they were - it was just different because you had to hold your hands up.

No trouble at all. It only took a few seconds - but then this was Moscow; the guy operating the scanner was right by it and clearly had seen it all before - if you know Moscow in the summer....