New Security Devices at Fla. Airport ( http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020315/ap_on_bi_ge/attacks_airport_security_1&printer=1)

This device raises an interesting matter. The Constitution does not forbid voluntary searches. You may argue that as a matter of public policy, we should not make submission to "virtual strip searches" a requirement of flying commercially, and there's merit to that point, but every person is free to turn away and refuse to be scanned.

The flip side is that, certainly a person can decide not to fly; but aviation is governed by a federal agency. If a company is forced to institute unconstitutional practices based on the orders of a government agency, then the rule is unconstitutional.
People have the right to travel in this country. Are we going to say, "Unless you parade naked in front of x number of people, you are not allowed to fly?”

This is all a matter for speculation at this point, as the scanning is voluntary. For now. I wonder if you'd get in trouble if you powdered some iron filings and then mixed them in greasepaint and wrote “SCREW YOU" on your torso? Just a thought.

Peace.

People will paint that on themselves with grease and iron filings? I've been doing that for years. And just in case, I paint the outside of my tinfoil cap with melted chocolate...

Yes, it does seem that sometimes governments and the companies they work with like to introduce something as voluntary or a test and then just sit back and wait for people to accept it so they can make it standard.