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Apr 28, 2008 6:23 pm US/Eastern
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Chertoff Demonstrates New Checkpoint At BWI
Reporting
Adam May
LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ) ―
It's called checkpoint evolution with better x-rays and automatic bin returns, but some are already voicing concerns about the price tag and privacy.
Adam May reports the main checkpoint at the Southwest terminal at BWI Thurgood-Marshall Airport is now completely different than anything used at one place before.
A model of that could soon become the norm at airports across the country.
"Our new checkpoint featured multiview X-rays, which will give TSA officers a clearer look at carry-on bags and make it quicker to go through because fewer baggage checks will be required," said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
Chertoff toured the $1.2 million technology followed by some of the first travelers to use it.
"If it makes it faster, God knows I'm late, usually always," said Annie Stevens.
What's perhaps the biggest, most interesting change is the millimeter wave machine. Basically it does a full body image scan so you can stand and someone in a separate room can see you naked.
Images are very detailed, but they do blur out your face.
"Wouldn't allow media to film the images," said Chertoff.
Chertoff says travelers can opt out of the scan and be pat down instead.
"I got to look at myself in the backroom," said Chertoff. "I didn't feel my privacy was invaded. It happened to be quite accurate."
Another $300,000 was spent on fancy light-up panels in the background plus new lane markers and music to calm the mood.
Some travelers think it seems a bit opulent.
"I was wondering why they're spending all the money on that rather than get people to make things go through quicker. I have no idea. I just know it's gonna make it a whole lot more invasive," said Jim Barner.
Behind the scenes, there's also a change to the terror watch list to include dates of birth.
Most airlines will start gathering that information from travelers when they get their boarding passes.
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