Poltergeist; it is good to hear there are sane people working on airport security too .I've traveled quite a lot in a previous job and observed the "security scan" at several airports; I've seen agents at the checkpoint doing a courteous and thorough job. I've also observed some of the issues "shiny side down" mentions... but have seen other things that trouble me more:
* kitchen knives in bars/restaurants in the "sterile zone". (UK and US)
* TSA agent "lost" the owner of a backpack that was selected for secondary inspection.
* talking about keeping guns out of the sterile area: what about airport (military) police?
I agree that facilities for the security scan do not suffice at many airports; it often is hard to find enough space for them, they must be at the entry to the gate area and can not be sprinkled around the concourse as shops can. Proper equipment in a proper working environment can IMO only make the scan better; both in experience for the customer and in quality of the scan.