Security measures 'could cause blushes' at Melbourne Airport

People going on flights to Melbourne may end up showing airport security staff a little more than they bargain for after the installation of some new technology.

By Southall Travel -Thursday, October 16, 2008 05:30 PM

Security measures could cause blushes at Melbourne Airport

People going on flights to Melbourne may end up showing airport security staff a little more than they bargain for after the installation of some new technology.

New scanners are currently being tested at the hub, as well as at Adelaide and Sydney, which could be rolled out on a permanent basis as security measures if they are successful.

However, they have sparked some controversy after it emerged that they are effective enough to display the nude bodies of travellers.

George Brenan, acting director for the Office of Airport Security, was quick to deny that they are overly-invasive, adding that male screeners would monitor male passengers, while female checkers would be responsible for female passengers.

He pointed out that the image is more like a chalk outline than a detailed portrait.

"We don't think it's necessarily more intrusive than being patted down but it depends on how people feel," he commented.

The scanners will be tested for six weeks, after which a decision will be made as to whether they will be implemented permanently.

Over 20 million passengers passed through Melbourne Airport last year, according to its website.

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