Luggage check and hospital gowns
Editor, The Times:
Regarding the article “Terrorism and planes: Is it time to bare all?” [page one, Dec. 30], the airlines should be required to provide everyone with hospital gowns at check in.
The gowns should be modified to have a chest pocket for the boarding pass, and perhaps an airline logo. No other modifications should be allowed in order to facilitate security checking by the canine on duty at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening point.
This policy might also have the side benefit of reducing the obesity epidemic in the United States.
— Earl Hunt, Bellevue
Colonoscopies for one and all!
For some time, I’ve been saying that soon we’ll all fly naked, for better airline security, of course.
With the latest terror threat, we’re moving toward that goal at a rapid rate. There is good news and bad news associated with the upcoming security rules: The bad news is that for the most part, it won’t be a pretty sight.
The good news is that we all get a free colonoscopy for flying —This may be tough on frequent fliers.
Of course this all ignores the fact that passengers, themselves, are the first line of defense aboard any plane. But let’s ignore reality in the name of security.
— Bruce Barnbaum, Granite Falls
Traveling with your birthday suit
I say yes — it is time to bare all.
I think airports should have two lines: one for those of us who don’t mind and don’t care whether someone would see us electronically naked, and one line for those who would rather take off their shoes, be poked and prodded by strangers, and inspected like meat in a plant.
I have been in hospitals and doctor’s offices and made to wear those ridiculous gowns that allows everyone to see everything somewhere along the line. I have been scanned and X-rayed and find it less invasive than other technologies.
If the line is longer for scanning, it will allow more thorough physical inspections of those few who go through the other line, increasing our safety.
I will submit to unobtrusive scans anytime. It’s not like the people running the scanners, or any of the rest of us, haven’t seen it all before.
— Gary S. Silverstein, Olympia