After the failed terrorist attempt on Nowrthwest 253, on Christmas Eve 2009, full body scanners seems to be the ultimate solution to all airline security problems. Several airports, including Paris Charles-de-Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol now use them on flights bound to the US, and such scanners will be deployed in London Heathrow “as soon as practical”. This technology, which has before been perceived as unethical and too invasive, and violating some laws about privacy now seems to be Holly Grail of Airline security.

Even if full body scanners will make flying the airlines a bit safer, they are not the 100% safe solution. Some options are much safer than full body scan. Let’s imagine…

You reach the airport five hours before your flight, as required by the airline and security policy. You enter a security check lane corresponding to your gender and age. After one and a half hour in the very slow lane, you reach a tiny changing room. Once the automatic door is locked behind you, you get completely naked. You leave your clothes, all belongings, glasses, jewelery (wedding ring included), mobile phone, computer, in a special security suitcase.

When you’re ready, you move towards the next door, still naked. You leave the suitcase behind you, carry-on luggage are not allowed anymore. Two security inspectors wait for you in the next room. They proceed rapidly, in a very professional, anonymous, not humiliating way with a manual full body search. This is to make sure you don’t take any object with you on board. Once this is finished, you can proceed to the next room. Here you can choose from a variety of flight pajamas. Before getting “dresses-up”, don’t forget to put diapers on, particularly for long flights.

The next door opens on a corridor leading directly to your aircraft. As soon as you’re seated, a flight security assistant straps you in and lock your 5 points security belt. Tightly. From now on, and until you’re released after landing, all you have to do is to enjoy your flight…

Is this ethical ? Would you accept it ? Is such a solution the price for 100% airline security ? Could terrorists find way to bypass this kind of system ? My answers to these questions are “Not sure, Not sure, No, Yes”.

My personal belief is that no system will ever be 100% safe. We can tend towards that, but each step forward will cost more in terms of time, money, constraints, privacy and comfort. It belongs to each of us to define where is the limit. What we are ready to accept, in terms of risk, and how much comfort we’re ready to sacrifice for security.