Pistole: No Body Cavity Searches on My Watch

Nation can breathe a sigh of relief on that point, at least
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 1, 2010 12:02 PM CST
Pistole: No Body Cavity Searches on My Watch
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

Concerned that body cavity searches are the inevitable next frontier in the TSA's war against terrorism? Don't be—at least not as long as John Pistole is around. USA Today had a long chat with the TSA chief and he revealed that, though current technology can't detect explosives hidden inside a body cavity, body cavity searches aren't next: "Not on my watch. We are at the most thorough that we will probably be in terms of our physical screening."

Of course, that means that when it comes to explosives hidden inside the body, "we can't eliminate that risk, frankly," he said. Other nuggets: He is hopeful that one day we will be able to wear our shoes or take a water bottle through security, and he says that TSA screeners have the room to use common sense when it comes to who gets randomly selected for extra screening. If, say, an old lady happens to be the 10th person and should be selected, "I would hope ... I'd go to number 11" instead.
(More John Pistole stories.)

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