While they feel security may become fool-proof, they are concerned about passenger privacy and abuse of the images of those being scanned.
With the threat of terrorism becoming more apparent every day, travellers are conflicted about the idea of having a full-body scanner installed at airports.
Neither airlines nor passengers are sure about how to react to this move — a recent recommendation to the home ministry by Intelligence, following the Christmas Day scare when a Nigerian tried to set off explosives on a US-bound Northwest Airlines aircraft. Privacy issues — the fear of abuse of the scanned images of near-naked passengers — appear to be the main objection, both with airlines as well as passengers.
“It is not feasible to have full-body scanners (FBS) at airports as it involves privacy issues,” says Arvind Jadhav, chairman and managing director (CMD), Air India. Jet Airways says they will have to oblige if the government so demands. “We are watching for developments on this matter, but we know that people are divided over the issue. However, if its implementation is relevant, we will go ahead with it,” says a spokesperson for Jet.
Although this idea has met with opposition in India in the past on privacy grounds, security concerns are making some passengers agree, somewhat reluctantly, to the idea of FBS.
“Technically, it makes sense as it will make security much more fool-proof. It will also make security checks less time-consuming as passengers will be scanned at one go,” says entrepreneur Robin Singhvi, 24. “But the airport/airlines should also address privacy issues. For instance, it should be made clear who is manning these scanners and what will happen to the images subsequently.”
Businessman Prakash Padikkal, 52, a frequent flyer, however, feels security is more important. “They should install FBS as it will save lot of trouble. The safety of the nation is more important than privacy, especially at the peak of the tourist season,” he says. But he also has reservations about the use of the machine.
“The scanner should be used without causing any harassment to passengers. For instance, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is responsible for internal security of airports, should be properly trained and courteous inform passengers about why they are being scanned, so that they are more amenable to the idea,” he adds.
This point may eventually be moot, however. For, the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) says it will install scanners if the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) recommends it. Both passengers and airlines will, then, have to comply.
s_naveeta@dnaindia.net
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