Enough Radiation Already...
In a few months airports worldwide will be installing the new 'Body Scanner' X-ray machines. They will subject each passenger to approximately 5 microsieverts of radiation per exposure. As an example, on a longhaul flight we absorb approximately 20-25 sieverts. Basically, we are now going to up our radiation exposure by approximately 20 -25%. This will raise the cancer expectations by approximately 10% over a lifetime. What is the AOA/company going to do (never mind the entire airline industry) to protect it's employees from this notable health threat? Surely a crewmember who is on a precleared list should be exempt from this new intrusion. Pilots already have a much higher incidence of skin cancers and other forms of cancer than nearly any other professional group. Do not underestimate the threat to your health that this new security procedure will represent. Now is the time to insist on proper protections for our health and welfare.