Naked Airport Security Scanning

Manchester Airport has started a trial of an X-ray security scanner which produces what’s been termed “naked” images of passengers. The new scanning machines provide a full-body image of a passenger, which authorities say will enable any concealed weapons or explosives to be uncovered more quickly.

Passengers will no longer need to remove their belts, shoes and coats when they go through security checks in the airport’s Terminal 2. The airport says this will “completely take away the hassle” of going through a ‘pat-down’ check at the security gate.

A spokeswoman for Manchester Airport said passengers can refuse to be checked by the machine if they are uncomfortable with the full-body image scan.

The scanners work by reflecting electromagnetic X-rays onto the passengers, with the reflected energy creating a black-and-white image. Then the image is transmitted to a security officer in a remote location.

After the naked airport X-ray a security officer then confirms if the passenger can proceed or if a physical search is required.

The scanners manufactured by RapiScan Systems and costing $126,000 each, have previously been trialled in the UK at London Heathrow.

(BBC News;October, 13, 2009)

NOTE:

RapiScan Systems – Rapiscan Security Products Ltd; является лидером в области разработки и производства многоэнергетических рентгено-телевизионных систем и систем с автоматическим определением взрывчатых веществ. Rapiscan предлагает широкий спектр досмотровых систем, базирующихся на применении современных технологий.

Exercise 10. Answer the following questions:

1. What do the new scanning machines provide?

2. What are the advantages of the new scanning machines?

3. In what cases can passengers refuse to be checked by the scanners?

Exercise 11. Rewrite the sentences below translating the Russian parts into English.

1. The new сканирующий аппарат provides a снимок пассажиров в полный рост.

2. Пассажиры can refuse to be checked by the machine if they are uncomfortable with the сканирование всего тела.

3. Manchester Airport has started a trial of an X-ray security scanner which produces what’s been termed “обнажающие” снимки пассажиров.

4. Passengers will no longer need снимать верхнюю одежду, ремни и обувь when they go through проверка безопасности.

5. The airport says this will “completely упрощается ” of процесс регистрации в аэропорту.

6. A full-body image of a passenger will enable a спрятанное оружие или взрывчатые вещества to обнаружить more quickly.

7. Then the снимок is transmitted to a сотрудник, который находится на отдаленном расстоянии.

Exercise 12. Describe advantages and disadvantages (if any) of the new X-ray security scanner. Use the following word-combinations:

security checkpoints; airport facilities; under current security rules; scanning technology; to help improve security.

Exercise 13. Read the text below to give the English equivalents for:

биометрический паспорт; проводить испытание/проверку; обнаружение случаев мошенничества; пункты пропуска на границе; тщательная проверка паспортов; автоматический; экономить время; перегруженность/затор в движении пассажиров/скопление людей.

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