No covering up in this airport check

PASSENGERS at Manchester Airport in the UK may not realise it, but officials are getting more than an eyeful with a scanner that produces X-ray images of travellers that show genitalia, body piercings and breast implants. Staff at the airport say the machine takes a black and white picture of each passenger, which is examined by one security officer before being deleted. Those who do not like the idea can opt for the traditional frisking procedure, but the new machine speeds up the security process as it does not require passengers to remove coats, shoes or belts. "Most of our customers do not like the traditional 'pat down' search - they find it too intrusive, but they still want to be kept safe," said Sarah Barrett, the airport's head of customer experience, adding that the images are not “erotic or pornographic”. The machines, already in use at a number of US airports, are designed to detect any hidden weapons or explosives before they are taken on board aircraft. Melody Brandon (melodyb@nowmedia.co.za)