Why The Threat of TSA Scanners Is Still With Us

English: TSA ProVision Xray machine screening a person (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Backscatter Unit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In May 2013 John Pistole the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wrote a letter to the US Congress, confirming that the 1st of June deadline, for all its airport body scanners to be privacy compliant had been met. All airport scanners in the US will now use Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) software which only shows a generic image. While this may be great news to many who hated the pervy naked scanners it is not the end of the story, especially if you travel outside the United States.

Legislation requiring all airport scanners to comply with privacy concerns was passed by the US Congress in January 2013. The TSA through its partnerships with Rapiscan and L3 Communications had till June 1st to make their machines compliant. L3 Communications was the only company able to produce software to satisfy the privacy requirement. As a result the Rapiscan Secure 1000 machines have been removed and the L3 Communications Provision Millimetre wave machines are their replacement.

The first hint of a problem is that the TSA is still adamant that the Rapiscan backscatter scanners are completely safe! The sole reason for withdrawing them they say is because they are not privacy compliant. Some of the reports in the media seem to suggest that if Rapiscan can solve the software issue we could see the return of the backscatter technology. While it is only inferred, it is not hard to see that if you spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on machinery and you can recoup your investment by fixing the software glitch you may favour that option. Hence we may nt be out of the woods yet.

The second cause for concern is that these Rapiscan backscatter machines were fitted in other countries around the world who do not have a robust government to implement the changes like the United States has. Frequent fliers are left to fend for themselves in these cases. They have to deal with the breaches of privacy and the ionising radiation they are subject to. Often times the airport workers are not knowledgeable enough to understand the legitimate concerns of the traveller. In these instances the choices are comply and subject yourself to these violations or remain trapped in the country until you do, which is no choice at all. For this reason the dangers of backscatter technology may still be with us for a while longer yet.


KNOW YOUR AIRPORT SCANNERS
Some reports online confuse the issue of scanners more than it needs to be.
Know your scanners and know which ones to avoid.
All scanners are Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners.
Rapiscan Secure 1000 ( 2 Metal Blue Boxes you stand between) BAD.
L3 Communications Provision Millimetre Wave scanner ( Glass tube you stand in) GOOD.

See this helpful diagram if in doubt.
www.projects.propublica.org/graphics/backscatter

- Christopher Babayode
gplus.to/thejetspert

What Frequent Fliers Must Know About Hydration - Part 2

One of the complaints frequent fliers have about flying is the dehydration the cabin atmosphere creates. Although planes do not carry an infinite amount of drinking water, supplies are rarely exhausted because drinking glass after glass of water just isn't as sexy as a glass of Zinfandel or Pinot Noir. We seem to have a love hate relationship with drinking water even when it would benefit our health on arrival. In this article we are going to look at our relationship with water.

Periodically since 1958, The World Health Organisation (W.H.O) has continually revised the standards by which water purity fit for human consumption is measured. From a lay perspective there is only one measurement that matters; Does the water you consume regularly increase structured water in your body?

I hinted in the previous article that structured water supports organisation which is another word for growth and health in this context. As humans we are made up of complexes of organisation. Structured water slots into place and supports this system by aiding better function at the cellular level. Before we were physical and biochemical beings we were electrical beings, structured water plays an integral part in this function.

There are 2 ways to get structured water into your body, they are through eating and drinking. Fruit and vegetables naturally contain structured water in their juices. Eating and drinking the juices of raw fruit and vegetables is the simplest way to make sure you are getting enough, there is still debate as to whether cooking destabilises structure. If you consider that most of us consume less fresh fruit and vegetables than we once did you begin to see how this nutrient can become deficient.

The amount of water you drink comes under similar scrutiny. Are you drinking enough water and is the quality of the water you consume up to standard? Most drinking water is treated water. Treated water lends itself to being de-structured through the treatment process. If you consume spring water this can be marginally better depending on where and who bottled it. Other factors like inorganic mineral content, water hardness and turbidity also count.

Do you know how many glasses of water you drink a day? The habit of drinking water instead of soft drinks and other beverages is worth cultivating as a means to improve our relationship with water. As simple as it sounds making a ritual out of drinking water is a sure way to increase consumption and if you are a frequent flier it is a necessity.

Another reason to increase your water intake as a flier is because it indirectly serves as a protector against cosmic radiation. A NASA website article demonstrates the use of hydrogen as a shield against cosmic radiation when incorporated into a spacecraft polymer material. Water, H2O which is two part hydrogen and one part oxygen offers this same benefit to hydrogen rich fliers!

In a nutshell you have to eat more and drink more water, the better the quality the greater the benefit. Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables and their juices. Invest in a juicer and find out where the nearest juice bar to your hotel is. If you want a long term solution consider investing in home water system that cleans and restructures water fed in from your mains supply.

References

WHO -  Previous editions of the Guidelines for drinking-water quality WHO http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/guidelines4/en/

NASA - Space Technology Mission Directorate - High Hydrogen Content Nanostructured Polymer Radiation Protection System NASA http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/strg/2012_stro_esi_ignatiev.html

Why The Pushback Against Ionising Radiation Scanners Mattered

As the TSA continues to swap the Rapiscan ionising radiation scanners for the ProVision millimeter wave variety, frequent fliers can see this change of tools as a victory for privacy and health. The official line according to a Forbes magazine article (Jan 2013) is that Rapiscan could not change the offensive nude images their machines produced to something less offensive. The ProVision machines were able to do this making them an ideal replacement. Another reason the ProVision machines are ideal is the fact that they use millimeter wave technology instead of backscatter technology, which beams low level ionising radiation into the skin of the person being scanned. As a flier the reason the outcome of this conversation matters is because all fliers, especially frequent fliers need to be protected from the dangers of low dose ionising radiation.

As far back as 2010 experts in the field of radiology, biochemistry and biophysics had voiced their concerns about the dangers backscatter machines posed and the lack of independent research or evidence to the contrary. Five of them were signatories to a letter sent to the Secretary of State for the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and the Chief Scientific Officer of the Obama Administration White House. Chief among them was John Sedat Ph.D a fellow at the National Academy of Science and Professor Emeritus in Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Sedat's resume led me to his fellowship at the National Academies of Science (NAS) and a body of research detailing the dangers of low level exposure to ionising radiation. The National Academies Press has volumes of papers putting the argument beyond any doubt, low level ionising radiation is dangerous to human health.

I emphasise this point not because it has been in any doubt but to state a fact that has been the basis for the way forward in exploring this field. As far back as September 1978 in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Dr Karl Z Morgan said  " There is no safe level of exposure and there is no dose of radiation so low that the risk of malignancy is zero..." Furthermore the celebrated nuclear physicist John Gofman said "Harm in the form of excess human cancer, occurs at all doses of ionizing radiation, down to the lowest conceivable dose and dose rate."  These well respected experts laid the groundwork of credible research upon which our understanding of the dangers of ionising radiation have been built. 

The Allied Pilots Association (APA) was well aware of the added burden these machines placed on pilots when it published a letter asking its pilots to opt out of using the Rapiscan machines. Its argument was that pilots receive enough radiation in the course of flying and using the Rapiscan scanners would add more. Can't  the same be said of all fliers these days? Due to the technological age we live in we are all being exposed to more sources of ionising and non-ionising radiation. Protecting flier healthy is as good a reason to remove these scanners as any. Imagine my dismay when I came across this video trying to hoodwink us into believing that low dose ionising radiation is not that dangerous. 

Click here to play the 9 minute video

Or below

Protection for Frequent Fliers - Part 2 | Business News, Articles & Blogs | SunZu

Protection for Frequent Fliers - Part 2 | Business News, Articles & Blogs | SunZu

Protecting Frequent Fliers | Business News, Articles & Blogs | SunZu

Protecting Frequent Fliers | Business News, Articles & Blogs | SunZu

In today's world jet lag is commonplace and everyone suffers when they fly. Everyone else offers the same tired cures for it, the pill. Take a look at the articles in these pages, an expanded understanding of the perils of flying is required to truly get to the bottom of jet lag, let us be your guide to help you fly and arrive well. no pills.......I promise.

What You Must Know About Hydration As A Flier - Part lll

The best thing about the tips I am about to give on how to stay hydrated on the road is the simple rule fliers should abide by when it comes to all things flying. Keep It Simple. In our quest for better energy, performance and health through hydration, Habits, Supplementation and Planning all play their part. Keeping it simple when so much is out of your control on the road really is the best policy.

To underline the importance of hydration as a tool to boost productivity and performance I would like to remind you of an example from the sports arena, lest we forget frequent flying is an endurance sport! At the London 2012 Olympics, in the men's 20km walk, the defending champion Valeriy Borchin collapsed due to exhaustion. In sports exhaustion, endurance and dehydration go hand in hand. Our professional sports are littered with athletes suffering from dehydration resulting in poor performances.

Away from the sports arena a recent high profile case of dehydration was that of General David Petraeus head of US Command in Iraq. General Petraeus collapsed during questioning in front of a US Senate hearing having flown in from Afghanistan.Everywhere you look the facts are the same, dehydration impairs performance, it is the same for frequent fliers. One peak performance site states that

"even low levels of dehydration have physiological consequences. A loss of 2% bodyweight (just 1kg for a 50kg person) causes an increase in perceived effort and is claimed to reduce performance by 10-20% A fluid loss exceeding 3-5% bodyweight reduces aerobic exercise performance noticeably and impairs reaction time, judgement, concentration and decision making"

These are not traits conducive to business success on the road in an ever changing environment.

The 3 simple tips I would offer to all frequent fliers are

1) Habits to cultivate and habits to avoid
2) Supplementation options to consider
3) Planning for the road and home.

HABITS.
Habits to cultivate are easy, drink more water. To get used to this do it at regular intervals. First thing in the morning, half hour before each meal and an hour before bed. If it really is a push to remember you can find apps for your smartphone to remind you. You could even set it up to remind you to drink water while in-flight.

Get into the habit of asking the flight attendants to fill up your water bottle for you. The best time to do this is not when they are serving you and everyone else drinks, they will worry they might run out and have to make unnecessary trips to the galley in the middle of serving you. Wait till they are in the galley next to all that water that doesn't get used and ask them then, they will have no reason to refuse you. If you feel galleys are no-go areas spot your friendly flight attendant in advance and make a beeline for them if the galley seems unwelcoming.

Habits to avoid may require a bit of willpower but if you structure them well with a reward in the future they won't be hard to maintain. Stop drinking dehydrating liquids on the plane and limit them in your diet in general. That includes wine tea coffee and soft drinks. Limit salty foods as well because getting rid of excess salt pulls water from the body in the process.

SUPPLEMENTATION.
Supplementation options, I use the word supplementation loosely and specifically. There are specific healthy supplements on the market that have a track record of helping keep the body hydrated because of their abundance of Hydrogen ions. In keeping with this line of thought any food which has a lot of hydrogen in it is also useful. Of the three main food groups carbohydrates fit that bill with a basic chemical formula of (CHO). In practice this means that high protein or high fat and low carb diets are not great for hydration. If you do use these diets be sure to over compensate with your water consumption.

PLANNING.
Planning for the road and at home. Always carry a water bottle with you and remember to sip from it regularly. If you are in a fancy hotel charging you $7.50 for bottled water in the room see if there is a gym in the hotel, water is usually free from the fountains in gyms.
At home you can do as little or as much as you like. Get a carbon filter jug to remove impurities from your mains tap water, source your water from a fresh water stream, install a total home plumbed in solution or buy drinking water in bulk on discount.

In closing as simple as it is the benefits of hydration are many for fliers in terms of health and performance and should not be overlooked by anyone who wants to be at their best while away on business travel.

Related articles

• What You Must Know About Hydration As A Frequent Flier
• What You Must Know About Hydration As A Frequent Flier
• Innovative New App "Water Habit" by Pavlos Dimitriou Helps Users Easily Increase Daily Water Intake and Boost Health

What You Must Know About Hydration As A Frequent Business Flier - II | Business News, Articles & Blogs | SunZu

What You Must Know About Hydration As A Frequent Business Flier - II | Business News, Articles & Blogs | SunZu