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Final Note

Is the airport pat-down coming to an end?

Tess Vigeland May 28, 2012
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A traveler undergoes an enhanced pat down by a Transportation Security Administration agent at the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colo. The Department of Homeland Security wants tech companies to design a scanning device that would replace the pat-down. John Moore/Getty Images
Final Note

Is the airport pat-down coming to an end?

Tess Vigeland May 28, 2012
A traveler undergoes an enhanced pat down by a Transportation Security Administration agent at the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colo. The Department of Homeland Security wants tech companies to design a scanning device that would replace the pat-down. John Moore/Getty Images
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And this final note — is the era of the oh-so-intimate airport pat-down finally coming to an end? Perhaps.

In the future. Maybe a distant future.

The Department of Homeland Security has asked technology companies to come up with a hand-held scanner that could replace the personal pat-down.

It’s gotta weigh less than five pounds and tell the difference between a pacemaker and an explosive device. And do its work within 15 seconds.

Could someone please, please design this?

Signed,
All people.

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