But now, thanks to today’s airport security technology, I no longer have to wait until I’m actually in the air and vomiting into the seat pocket in front of me before experiencing total humiliation. That’s right. I can now get things rolling before I even board the plane by stepping into a special x-ray booth and having an airport security professional see me completely naked.
According to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, this technology, which is standard at all major airports, took several years to introduce as an anti-terrorism tool, mainly because of privacy concerns by the general public.
“As travelers now know, we have a way to blur certain areas of the images that would otherwise be too detailed for some people’s comfort,” said TSA spokesman Alto Leering. “It’s a great alternative to a strip search — You know, unless you’re into that sort of thing.”
The machines were first tested three years ago at London’s Heathrow Airport, where Prince Charles actually helped demonstrate how areas of concern could be blurred for privacy.
“As you can see, you cannot discern how large my ears are,” he said to reporters. “And my shim-shim is completely gone.”
The press conference ended soon after, when atrport officials admitted there were no alterations applied below the Prince’s waist.
“But when you consider what we were able to do with his ears, you can imagine what we could do with a standard ‘shim-shim,’” one official said.
Needless to say, this has not helped ease my fears. In fact, it has made them worse by introducing the word “shim-shim” into my vocabulary.
While making holiday plans for my first plane flight in several years, I thought doing some research to get a better understanding of this new technology might help.
Naturally, I was wrong.
We’ll begin with the name of this technology. I was hoping for something either:
a) Extremely technical, suggesting years of exhaustive research and training, or
b) Something friendly that would make me feel looked upon in my nakedness with compassion.
Instead, I ended up with:
c) “BackScatter,” which is the name of the x-ray scanning system, and something that sounds like what could happen if I forget to remove my cell phone before I step infront of the scanner.
I should also point out that, in addition to revealing metal objects, the images can also help identify the presence of nitrogen, which appears as a cloudy area on the image; nitrogen is emitted by plastic or liquid explosives.
It is also emitted by humans when they flatulate.
As I already stated, I get nervous when I fly.
It doesn’t help knowing I could be tackled by airport security because of a “cloud” on my x-ray that comes as the result of a Taco Bell value meal and my extreme anxiety over flying.
And I don’t even want to think of what will happen if bomb-sniffing dogs become part of the scenario.
So, I’d like to thank the TSA for giving me another reason to freak out the next time I have to fly somewhere. I’m already thinking I’ll need to take a sedative to help with my nerves.
Unless, of course, it gives me gas.
(You can write to Ned Hickson at the Siuslaw News at P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439, or email him at nhickson@thesiuslawnews.com)
Ned's Blog 
Don’t worry. Fear often constipates! And you can chant shim-shim as you walk through. Just to take your mind off things
Hahah! Thanks for the tips! Maybe I can sing “Shim-Shimminy Shim-Shim Sharoo..” from Mary Poppins. Yeah, that won’t raise suspicion much.
Even better!
Nothing like a good fart joke. 😉
They never get old, only the source does 😉
And I think the older we get, the better we become at crafting fart jokes… 😀
Can’t smoke in the airport… can’t pass gas in the airport… can’t wrap out junk in aluminum foil in the airport… what is this world coming to?
No kidding! The good news is, you CAN wrap your gas in aluminum foil at the airport, just not while smoking. Which is probably a good idea anyway, even at home. Thanks for reading 🙂
Thank you… and I might try that.
Very funny stuff here Ned…
xx
Sooz
Thanks, Sooz 😉
When the X-rays first came out, my only thought was, “Great. Now I have to remember to shave my legs every time I fly.” But I think seeing your toots is more embarrassing. Good luck with that.
Lol! Thanks 🙂
Checking eBay, I find that a number of nude airport security photo albums are available for sale. Airport, date, and time are included with each “x-ray.”.
To be fair, the TSA staff include photos of themselves in the same way, with email addresses appended, in the event that one of their photos catches your eye and you fancy buying him or her a drink at one of the airport watering holes..
Hahahha! Sounds like there’s the potential for a new dating website in all this…
Pretty funny!
It’s hard to go wrong with fart jokes 😉
Sorry Ned, I’m sure I’m supposed to be a little more sympathetic but I can’t stop laughing! You poor sausage.
ps. toots!! (aaahahaha!)
Gee, thanks! I’m glad you don’t work at airport security 😉
I’ll pass this along to my husband. One more on his list to “never fly again” . I’m sure he’ll love it.
Always glad when my phobias can inspire others 😉
“BackScatter,” man, that made me laugh. Especially the part about nitrogen!
Lol! When I found out the name, I had to read it twice — I couldn’t believe it.
Funny and full of information. Love it! I learned a new ‘princely’ word, too.
Lol! I wish I could forget it!