Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!
Final Note

Is the airport pat-down coming to an end?

Tess Vigeland May 28, 2012
HTML EMBED:
COPY
A traveler undergoes an enhanced pat down by a Transportation Security Administration agent at the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colo. The Department of Homeland Security wants tech companies to design a scanning device that would replace the pat-down. John Moore/Getty Images
Final Note

Is the airport pat-down coming to an end?

Tess Vigeland May 28, 2012
A traveler undergoes an enhanced pat down by a Transportation Security Administration agent at the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colo. The Department of Homeland Security wants tech companies to design a scanning device that would replace the pat-down. John Moore/Getty Images
HTML EMBED:
COPY

And this final note — is the era of the oh-so-intimate airport pat-down finally coming to an end? Perhaps.

In the future. Maybe a distant future.

The Department of Homeland Security has asked technology companies to come up with a hand-held scanner that could replace the personal pat-down.

It’s gotta weigh less than five pounds and tell the difference between a pacemaker and an explosive device. And do its work within 15 seconds.

Could someone please, please design this?

Signed,
All people.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.