Body Scanners at Charles De Gaulle Airport/Paris?
Oct 23rd, 2012, 10:05 PM
#1
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Body Scanners at Charles De Gaulle Airport/Paris?
Are there Body Scanners at Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG/Paris)?
I'll be flying to JFK/NYC.
If yes, can I opt out and get a pat down instead?
Thanks!
I'll be flying to JFK/NYC.
If yes, can I opt out and get a pat down instead?
Thanks!
Oct 24th, 2012, 12:27 AM
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I have read that they do, but how many I couldn't say.
If they are the same as at Schiphol there is no getting round them unless you have some medical condition which prevents their use.
Certainly at Schiphol they view only a cartoon figure which indicates where there may be a problem, not some see through all revealing picture of you. If something shows up you will be patted down. The staff there are well trained, polite and friendly, and I've never heard of anyone feeling violated or mistreated by them.
If they are the same as at Schiphol there is no getting round them unless you have some medical condition which prevents their use.
Certainly at Schiphol they view only a cartoon figure which indicates where there may be a problem, not some see through all revealing picture of you. If something shows up you will be patted down. The staff there are well trained, polite and friendly, and I've never heard of anyone feeling violated or mistreated by them.
Oct 24th, 2012, 01:54 AM
#4
When we flew out of CDG in March, there were no body scanners that I remember or perhaps I just didn't register that they had them!
there were, however, numerous people employed to check our passports and boarding cards, many of them in plain sight of others who had just done the same thing.
be prepared to have both checked up to a dozen times.
there were, however, numerous people employed to check our passports and boarding cards, many of them in plain sight of others who had just done the same thing.
be prepared to have both checked up to a dozen times.
Oct 24th, 2012, 03:49 AM
#5
I have only encountered the body scanners in US airports, and my experience has been that you can request to use the scanners instead of the metal detectors, but not vice versa.
I have artificial knees. If I go through the metal detector, I get the pat down. If I choose to go through the scanner instead, they see the implants and I don't have to get the pat down but can walk right out.
At least in the US, according to the TSA people I have encountered, you can always opt out of the metal detector if the scanner is available. But you can not opt out of both of them.
That said, when I went to Paris in March, I did not encounter body scanners at CDG.
I have artificial knees. If I go through the metal detector, I get the pat down. If I choose to go through the scanner instead, they see the implants and I don't have to get the pat down but can walk right out.
At least in the US, according to the TSA people I have encountered, you can always opt out of the metal detector if the scanner is available. But you can not opt out of both of them.
That said, when I went to Paris in March, I did not encounter body scanners at CDG.
Oct 24th, 2012, 06:01 AM
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I'm sort of in agreement with the last two posters, although I'm going to say it a little differently.
I've been through the full body scanners on numerous occasions (the perils of being brown, male and often travelling alone), but only in U.S. airports and really can't get worked up about them.
I've read about all the supposed health risks, and the possibility of strangers seeing an electronic approximation of my unclothed form and I just don't care. I'm not in the best of shape, but the day I start worrying about what a complete stranger thinks about my naked body, is the day my life really has come to an end.
I often get the full body scanner, followed by an individual pat down and a little chat (which is more than I got from some girlfriends back in the day) and I just couldn't give a tinker's cuss. They're just doing their job, I'm just trying to get somewhere, and if an airport employee laughing (or being secretly impressed I like to think) about the size of my winkle is part of the deal which allows it all to happen more quickly, then so be it.
I know that everyone's different etc. etc. but honestly it's one of things that literally might never happen.
If it does, put your arms up in the air like you've been put on pause halfway through a star jump (as per the required pose), remember the last time someone other than your significant other saw you naked, allow yourself a little smile at the memory then move on to picking up your belt, shoes and other accoutrements you may have had to take off.
I've been through the full body scanners on numerous occasions (the perils of being brown, male and often travelling alone), but only in U.S. airports and really can't get worked up about them.
I've read about all the supposed health risks, and the possibility of strangers seeing an electronic approximation of my unclothed form and I just don't care. I'm not in the best of shape, but the day I start worrying about what a complete stranger thinks about my naked body, is the day my life really has come to an end.
I often get the full body scanner, followed by an individual pat down and a little chat (which is more than I got from some girlfriends back in the day) and I just couldn't give a tinker's cuss. They're just doing their job, I'm just trying to get somewhere, and if an airport employee laughing (or being secretly impressed I like to think) about the size of my winkle is part of the deal which allows it all to happen more quickly, then so be it.
I know that everyone's different etc. etc. but honestly it's one of things that literally might never happen.
If it does, put your arms up in the air like you've been put on pause halfway through a star jump (as per the required pose), remember the last time someone other than your significant other saw you naked, allow yourself a little smile at the memory then move on to picking up your belt, shoes and other accoutrements you may have had to take off.
Oct 24th, 2012, 06:06 AM
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I just flew out of CDG on Saturday. No scanners in terminal 2A. We did have our passports/boarding passes checked about 7 times though. Every time I would put them back in my bag someone else wanted to see them. I thought it was a bit of overkill.
Oct 24th, 2012, 06:22 AM
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I've never seen a body scanner in terminal 2E, just metal detectors. But, I've been pulled out of line for extra "attention" both at security and at the gate on several occasions. Flattering, in a perverse way, to look dangerous in my senior years.
Oct 24th, 2012, 07:53 AM
#12
We did have our passports/boarding passes checked about 7 times though. Every time I would put them back in my bag someone else wanted to see them. I thought it was a bit of overkill.>>
that was our experience at CDG. My boarding pass was checked approx 9 times - 3 times while i was going through security alone.
we even had to show our passports to be permitted to step up to the check-in desk.
I can only think that they are attempting to reduce the unemployment figures in Paris single-handedly.
that was our experience at CDG. My boarding pass was checked approx 9 times - 3 times while i was going through security alone.
we even had to show our passports to be permitted to step up to the check-in desk.
I can only think that they are attempting to reduce the unemployment figures in Paris single-handedly.
Oct 24th, 2012, 08:16 AM
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<i>But you can not opt out of both of them.</i>
At SFO, the metal detector is standard unless one is directed to the body scanner as an alternative. I opt out of the body scanner and get patted down without going through either machine.
At SFO, the metal detector is standard unless one is directed to the body scanner as an alternative. I opt out of the body scanner and get patted down without going through either machine.
Oct 24th, 2012, 09:09 AM
#14
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We saw no body scanners at Terminal one last Tuesday, just the metal detector routine. Flew Icelandic to SEA.
When I went through the body scanners at SEA on the outward leg I got the full pat down procedure because I had left two credit cards in my shirt pocket, with a rubber band holding them together. The TSA guy did give me some information, though. He said that the short wave radiation only sees the skin surface, and alarms if it sees anything that differs from skin density. That's why they give you the full treatment if you leave a comb in your back pocket; all they see on the screen is a cartoon outline with some suspicious "object" on your butt.
When I went through the body scanners at SEA on the outward leg I got the full pat down procedure because I had left two credit cards in my shirt pocket, with a rubber band holding them together. The TSA guy did give me some information, though. He said that the short wave radiation only sees the skin surface, and alarms if it sees anything that differs from skin density. That's why they give you the full treatment if you leave a comb in your back pocket; all they see on the screen is a cartoon outline with some suspicious "object" on your butt.
Oct 24th, 2012, 09:19 AM
#15
The day that airport security <b>really</b> becomes efficient, they will have general scanners examining everybody in the airport from a distance, and this sort of debate will become so silly.
I prefer that to the day we will all have to strip before boarding and wear paper hospital gowns on the plane.
I prefer that to the day we will all have to strip before boarding and wear paper hospital gowns on the plane.
Oct 24th, 2012, 09:27 AM
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I haven't encountered any in Europe, CDG or elsewhere. I don't care about them at all, though, so they aren't that memorable to me any place where I do go through them. I don't understand why people care about them and would prefer a pat-down, I prefer the body scanner, it is easy, quick, neutral, and you don't have those TSA agents patting you, which I don't particular care for.
The people who care about people looking at a scanned B&W outline "photo" of them I really don't understand, odds are someone can tell what your body shape is by looking at you with your clothes on, also, if that's the concern. Funny how a lot of people have no problem going to the beach or other things where they don't look so hot. I feel the same way about it as I do my dentist looking at xrays of my teeth. Who cares.
The people who care about people looking at a scanned B&W outline "photo" of them I really don't understand, odds are someone can tell what your body shape is by looking at you with your clothes on, also, if that's the concern. Funny how a lot of people have no problem going to the beach or other things where they don't look so hot. I feel the same way about it as I do my dentist looking at xrays of my teeth. Who cares.
Oct 24th, 2012, 10:40 AM
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I haven't seen any at CDG. They are definitely at AMS and as mentioned earlier fairly unavoidable as they're located at gate security on the non-Schengen side. The ones used in Europe are millimeter wave machines. The EU banned backscatter machines about a year ago but they're still in use in the US although it sounds like the US is moving toward replacing them with millimeter wave machines at major airports http://www.cnbc.com/id/49517858
Oct 24th, 2012, 11:21 AM
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Thank you everyone & I especially appreciate info re: CDG.
I appreciate everyone’s point of view & reasoning, but some asked “why do I care?”
First, there have been no definitive, objective, verified studies as to the amount of radiation produced by these machines. Until we really know what we are subjecting ourselves to, I hope to avoid these machines & have a pat down instead.
Second, think about all the drugs that came on the market, people took these drugs and later on, it was discovered that these drugs had detrimental long term effects. I see a similarity with the radiation produced by these scanners: What are the long term effects? How much radiation are they emitting? As a consumer, I want to know this.
Third, if you are American, the 4th Amendment protects you against “unreasonable searches” & since the scanners subject people to radiation,
I think these scanners are an “unreasonable search”: Safety plus a dose of radiation. I’d rather have a pat down w/o the radiation.
Lastly, I think these machines are over kill & that professionally done pat downs would suffice.
To me, these machines seem Orwellian. Caveat Emptor.
I appreciate everyone’s point of view & reasoning, but some asked “why do I care?”
First, there have been no definitive, objective, verified studies as to the amount of radiation produced by these machines. Until we really know what we are subjecting ourselves to, I hope to avoid these machines & have a pat down instead.
Second, think about all the drugs that came on the market, people took these drugs and later on, it was discovered that these drugs had detrimental long term effects. I see a similarity with the radiation produced by these scanners: What are the long term effects? How much radiation are they emitting? As a consumer, I want to know this.
Third, if you are American, the 4th Amendment protects you against “unreasonable searches” & since the scanners subject people to radiation,
I think these scanners are an “unreasonable search”: Safety plus a dose of radiation. I’d rather have a pat down w/o the radiation.
Lastly, I think these machines are over kill & that professionally done pat downs would suffice.
To me, these machines seem Orwellian. Caveat Emptor.
Oct 24th, 2012, 03:04 PM
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Your American Amendments only apply in America,,so best bet is to stay in America where you can argue that point,, it would be very poorly met anywhere else I imagine.
I didn't notice then at CDG , I use T3 because I fly in and out of Canada on Canadian airlines ( which both use T3).
Personally if one is worried about radiation then one should look at dental xrays and normal xrays too, and I think one could worry about cell phones too.. so in other words, I wouldn't worry about scanners unless one is travelling alot.. a yearly trip to Europe likely is not going to be considered excessive exsposure.
On just a personal level , I would rather be scanned then touched,, that could be alot more personal.
I didn't notice then at CDG , I use T3 because I fly in and out of Canada on Canadian airlines ( which both use T3).
Personally if one is worried about radiation then one should look at dental xrays and normal xrays too, and I think one could worry about cell phones too.. so in other words, I wouldn't worry about scanners unless one is travelling alot.. a yearly trip to Europe likely is not going to be considered excessive exsposure.
On just a personal level , I would rather be scanned then touched,, that could be alot more personal.
