Head of TSA defends full-body scanners, pat downs
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The Transportation Security Administration is intensifying its searches in airport security lines with full-body scanners and intense pat downs.
John Pistole, the head of TSA, says the agency is balancing security and privacy.
The agency has faced scrutiny over the airport screening measures, but Pistole says the current terror level is too high to put aside the full-body scans and pat downs.
“We know that we face a determined enemy who has been adept at devising and concealing explosive devices,” he said. “Bombs that will target not only aviation in terms of commercial aircraft, but also cargo aircraft as we saw in Yemen recently."
Pistole also recorded an online message defending the TSA's use of body scans and pat downs.
Critics have compared these procedures to strip searches and groping.