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TSA Terminates Its Contract With Maker of Full-Body Scanner

Posted by samzenpus on from the time-to-go dept.

McGruber writes "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has ended a contract with Rapiscan, a unit of OSI Systems Inc., manufacturer of about half of all of the controversial full-body scanners used on air passengers. TSA officials claim that Rapiscan failed to deliver software that would protect the privacy of passengers, but the contract termination happened immediately after the TSA finally got around to studying the health effects of the scanners, and Congress had a hearing on TSA's 'Scanner Shuffle'."

10 of 268 comments (clear)

  1. pronounciation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    is the first 'a' in Rapiscan pronounced as just a regular 'a' or like 'ae' ?

    1. Re:pronounciation by mwvdlee · · Score: 5, Funny

      Since full body scanning does not make boarding a plane go more rapid, I think the answer is obvious.

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    2. Re:pronounciation by Jason+Levine · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oddly enough, in all the times I've read that word, I've never once pronounced it in my head as "Rapi(d) Scan". I've always pronounced it as "Rape-i-scan" (with a short i like in "it"). For some reason, them trying to play on the word "rapid" just never came to mind.

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  2. Re:alpha test? by SuricouRaven · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because if you respect people's privacy and safety, the terrorists win.

  3. I fucking love the names these days by drinkypoo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Everyone and everything's name is hilarious, but RAPEYSCAN really takes the proverbial cake, and eats it too.

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  4. Re:Who named this company? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The one company that gives us honesty in its marketing and you are all upset.

    Some people are never satisfied!

  5. Re:alpha test? by Jason+Levine · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's almost to the point where the terrorists don't need to actually pull off an attack. They just release "chatter" about an attack and watch the West scurry around. I wonder how long until the terrorists try to see just how outrageous they can be and still have the West react. "There are reports that a terrorist group has come up with a nose bomb. Everyone will now submit to a TSA-enforced sinus inspection before boarding their planes."

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  6. Re:Used it once, still had to get pat down by Jason+Levine · · Score: 4, Funny

    My wife went through one and needed to get the pat down too. They found an "anomaly" on her that required further inspection. Note to any women out there: Spanx are an anomaly to the TSA and you will get the patented TSA Feel Up to make sure that your undergarment is what is causing the issue.

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  7. Big Pharma is to blame... by flyingfsck · · Score: 2, Funny

    Actually, the purpose of the scanners is to increase cancer in the general population, so that Big Pharma can make more money with chemotherapy drugs...

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  8. Re:alpha test? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Great, now everyone posting as AC is on a list.