TSA changes body scan policy days before peak holiday travel

ESTERO, Fla.- Passengers making their way through security check points could find themselves taking unwanted steps this week.

The Transportation Administration has changed their policy on whether passengers may decline to go through full-body scanners.

A TSA Spokesperson tells WINK News passengers generally have the option to opt-out of the screenings, called Advanced Imaging Technology, and choose to undergo a pat-down instead. Now, “some passengers will be required to undergo AIT screening if warranted by security considerations in order to safeguard transportation security.”

The Administration did not alert passengers to this policy change, and now, many worry this could be an unnecessary step.

“You can’t always tell if somebody is a threat or not.” said traveler Eva Apathy-Bates. “If we’re going to have to undergo through a search than I think all of us need to do the search, or not do the search, whichever way.”

The TSA tells WINK News they will not give any information on who and what falls under their “safety conditions”, or how they determine who can and cannot opt-out.

“I think they’re just trying to make us secure and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. If you were getting on a plane you’d want to be secure too,” said Terrie Burkhart.

A TSA Spokesperson says this mandate will occur “in a very limited number of circumstances where enhanced screening is required.”

They say most travelers should not be affected.