Many concerned over full-body scanners

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Two full-body scanners were installed earlier this year at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport by the Transportation Security Administration -- but will the refusal to go through them by some passengers cause big backups during the busiest travel week of the year?

Anyone who refuses must experience an aggressive pat-down, which takes time and staff. That leads to many passengers worrying about extra-long lines at the security gate.

Susan Dennison refused the scanners when she flew out of Grand Rapids two weeks ago. She'll never forget the experience, she told 24 Hour News 8 on Friday.

"It was kind of weird," she said. "Everyone looked at me and the one girl on her walkie talkie (said) "she's opting out." It was all kind of dramatic. It was weird. I went through the metal detector, got patted down and got through it."

Currently, there are 411 full-body scanners in 62 airports. Ninety-nine percent of passengers agree to go through them, according to the TSA, despite pilots and civil rights advocates who have objected.

The scanners show only a chalky image of passengers, not the graphic ones found on the Internet.

Garrett Berg flies once a week and has no problem using the scanners

"I think they're great," he said. "It saves a lot of time. I have a metal hip. I often have to go through, get patted down. The scanners are just an easier way for me to get through."

Kay Roys now goes through the scanners after an experience at Ford International Airport earlier this month

"I had a hoodie on and was told I could take it off or I could be patted down, and at first, I thought I didn't mind, but then when she told me how she was going to do it? I said, I think I'll take it off," she said.

And that's despite having scant clothing on underneath.

On Friday, the TSA announced pilots will be allowed to go through an expedited security system, but it isn't clear whether this means avoiding scanners altogether.