Just my opinion . .

On body scanners:

I thought I'd better post something about this subject before it leaves the realm of 'current hot topic'. Or maybe it already has. I haven't seen any grainy, black & white pictures of the pudgy naked man on Drudge lately, so I could have missed the boat. I am also not the best informed person. I try to keep current on my news & such, cramming it in between other important activities such as laundry and corralling children. But here is my opinion on what I know.

When people immediately went on the defensive about these 'body scanners', I was a bit confused. I travel a lot. A. Lot. Believe me, once the 'limited liquid' ban was instituted, it definitely put a cramp in my style. Juice boxes were a staple in my kid's carry-on. It's a lot easier than dealing with that flimsy plastic cup. The stewardesses seem to have a particular fondness for filling the apple juice up to the brim for my 3 year old and then asking if he wants ice. Duh! I have adapted and either bring empty sippy cups or just ask them to leave the can. And don't get me started on how many times they've said 'no'. Seriously? It'll make it a lot easier on all of us if she'd just let me mete the two cans of juice out to my 4 kids.

But I digress, the subject is the body scanner. I really don't see the big deal. To me, these look easier. If it means I don't have to take off my shoes, coat and those of my 4 children (10 shoes, 5 jackets, 4 assorted security loveys and toys) I say bring it on! You wanna look at all my unflattering folds and crevices, go right ahead. If it means less hassle for me, I'll volunteer to go first! I know, I know, people are worried that the pictures would 'leak out'. Whatever. And maybe I'm too lassiez faire about it to be concerned. Yes, I would mind if my naked body with the blurred out face was posted as Google's new logo. But if it gets me through security faster, I will unabashedly surf on Google turned Booble.

You say the shoes, etc. do have to be removed? I have an argument for that, too. The way I see the magic of these machines is that it eliminates physical contact between those TSA people and me. Do you know how much it freaks a kid out to have their mommy patted down by a huge security Frau? The last time it happened, we were in Frankfurt. They let me keep my sandals on (Tevas to be exact) and so we unloaded everything else and walked through the metal detector. I was willing to take them off, but they just waved away my offerings. I set it off and immediately they pounced on me; "Vat is in your pockets? You have to take off everything metal!" I'm not a jewelery person and my watch was already in the 'Verboten' tray. They had me take off the shoes I had volunteered to remove just 15 seconds earlier, put them through the conveyor belt and stand spread eagled, facing away from my children. I was traveling alone with them and all they wanted to do was cling to my leg. The questions from them started spilling out, along with the tears, "Why is that lady touching you, Mommy? Can I have my frog blanket back?" We all escaped, obviously, but not without my children being a little more wary of any security screening we go through. So in my opinion, if these body scanners eliminate hassle and bodily contact, I say go for it.