Raleigh airport gets new TSA screening

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has expanded a new whole body imaging threat detection program to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

The TSA announced its plans to implement the millimeter wave body imaging technology at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport's new Terminal 2 when it opens Oct. 26. The whole body scanning system operates without physical contact and is being piloted as an alternative to a physical pat-down at TSA security checkpoints, TSA reported.

"The use of whole body imaging is a significant step forward in checkpoint technology," Michael Zunk, TSA Raleigh-Durham federal security director, said in a statement.

"By expanding the use of millimeter wave, we are providing our officers with another tool to enhance security and protect the public from evolving threats."

Critics have raised privacy concerns about the potentially revealing images the technology produces. TSA officials say images captured with the system are sent directly to an enclosed security booth where only trained TSA officials are allowed.

The scanning system, deployed at 11 other airports in the United States, doesn't have any storage capacity to keep the images. Additionally, the technology is not a requirement, leaving people with an option for a traditional security check.