US seeking privacy-security balance
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
The US airport security agency is "desperately" working to balance travelers' privacy concerns with security needs, the White House said, reports BBC.
Spokesman Robert Gibbs said the controversial new screening would evolve with travelers' input.
Some passengers are objecting to use of revealing full-body scanners and "pat-downs" for those opting out of scans.
This week is one of the busiest for US airports, with millions set to travel for Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday.
At the White House on Monday, Mr Gibbs said President Barack Obama's highest priority was "to ensure that when you or I or others get on to an airplane, that we can feel reasonably sure that we can travel safely".
Earlier, Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole said there would be no short-term changes.
"What I'm doing is going back and looking at, are there less invasive ways of doing the same type of screening?" Mr Pistole told ABC television.
Mr Pistole's and Mr Gibbs' comments came amid growing complaints over the new procedures - revealing full-body scanners and intrusive "pat-downs" for those opting out of scans.
A YouTube video of a shirtless boy being searched at Utah's Salt Lake City airport is renewing criticism of new screening methods.
The student who shot the video said the child appeared unable to keep his arms raised for a pat-down - a search by hand - and the father removed his son's shirt to speed up the search. The TSA said no-one was being forced to disrobe at airport checkpoints.
Spokesman Robert Gibbs said the controversial new screening would evolve with travelers' input.
Some passengers are objecting to use of revealing full-body scanners and "pat-downs" for those opting out of scans.
This week is one of the busiest for US airports, with millions set to travel for Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday.
At the White House on Monday, Mr Gibbs said President Barack Obama's highest priority was "to ensure that when you or I or others get on to an airplane, that we can feel reasonably sure that we can travel safely".
Earlier, Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole said there would be no short-term changes.
"What I'm doing is going back and looking at, are there less invasive ways of doing the same type of screening?" Mr Pistole told ABC television.
Mr Pistole's and Mr Gibbs' comments came amid growing complaints over the new procedures - revealing full-body scanners and intrusive "pat-downs" for those opting out of scans.
A YouTube video of a shirtless boy being searched at Utah's Salt Lake City airport is renewing criticism of new screening methods.
The student who shot the video said the child appeared unable to keep his arms raised for a pat-down - a search by hand - and the father removed his son's shirt to speed up the search. The TSA said no-one was being forced to disrobe at airport checkpoints.