[lionsiy]

Lastly, one thing that I don't understand at all, is that they screen the pilots with these full body scanners too. Pilots get a higher amount of exposure to radiation as it is, being at high altitudes over long periods of time. Beyond that, I just don't see why, what is the sense behind checking a Pilot for weapons, when he is being put in control of a 150 ton weapon, capable of moving 600 miles per hour, loaded with a payload of tens of thousands of gallons highly flammable jet fuel and capable of reaching anything within a 7,000 mile radius. I see absolutely no reason why a terrorist who managed to make it into the pilot's seat would ever take the unnecessary step of attempting to sneak in an explosive! The worst thing that could possibly happen if an explosive were to be set off inside a large aircraft would be the destruction of the aircraft itself, and the death of everyone on board, with the slight chance of doing a small amount of damage on the ground (but nowhere near the damage the whole plane filled with fuel could do). The most dangerous weapon anyone could possibly get onto a plane would be the plane itself. The only thing that could possibly be worse than a terrorist in control of an airplane, would be a dirty bomb, which would be nearly impossible to get through an airport of even minimal security. Also, All pilots must undergo a background check within 90 days of their hiring, according to Section 91.1051 of Federal Aviation Regulations. They are also required to go through medical, psychological and judgment examinations. Still, they are required to go through the same security that the passengers go through, they then go to the cockpit where they have complete control over the airplane, and there is a crash axe on the wall. It is nearly impossible to successfully impersonate a pilot, because database photos are compared to the pilot, along with other information, and also because each individual airport has it's own set of checklists and terminology, this would be immediately obvious to Air Control, as well as other pilots.

http://www.suite101.com/content/fact...rcraft-a185322
http://www.risingup.com/fars/info/part91-1051-FAR.shtml

In conclusion, I believe there is more than enough evidence to prove that body scanners are not only unnecessary, but may be harmful to the airline industry as a whole. They aren't well studied, They omit radiation over the whole body, There is no protective gear, it is unclear if agents are at risk, it uses radiation waves that haven't been studied extensively, they cost too much, optimism in effectiveness only applies if we have them everywhere, they can't look inside cavities, and may not have even been capable of catching the Underwear Bomber. They are also an unjustifiable inconvenience to pilots. The American population is at a point where we receive a far higher than normal level of radiation as it is, to the extent of raising cancer rates already, from tanning and sun exposure, X-rays and other medical scans, electronics from cell phones to televisions, smoke detectors, leaks in Nuclear power facilities or other devices, and countless other chemicals we use daily. The last thing we need to do is find more ways in which to irradiate ourselves. No matter how small the amount of radiation, no radiation is good radiation. radiation should never be used unless the medical benefits of using it outweigh the risk of damage. The fact that we are willing to submit our own citizens to radiation solely because we fear terrorists, with the only alternative being a forced groping, even on children, shows us why terrorism continues to grow, because it is working, and we are allowing it to.