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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Transportation Security Administration rolled out a new pat-down technique Friday aimed at boosting security, but it is drawing criticism already for being too intrusive.
Screeners now use the fronts of their hands, instead of the backs, and use a sliding motion along a person's body. In some cases, security workers are now allowed to touch body parts that were previously off-limits.
At FlyersRights.org, Kate Hanni says she has already received complaints.
"The e-mails and hotline calls that we are getting are pretty terse and to-the-point that people think these new pat-downs have gone too far," Hanni said. "They're doing a very intrusive kind of pat-down that people feel pretty uncomfortable about."
TSA officials told ABC News the new pat-downs are effective in finding explosive devices and their components. They are being employed when metal detectors go off, or they are used as an alternative to full body imaging.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, has been among the critics of full body imaging. He previously called the imaging "TSA porn" for the revealing shots of bodies the technology produced.
Friday, full body imaging was still the preferred option of traveler Bill Fralick.
"The body scan seems like a much better way to go," Fralick said. "The physical contact is not good."
Still, more travelers KSL interviewed were in favor of the new pat-downs than were against them.
"My first priority on an airplane is to be safe - and that's the bottom line, make me safe - so I don't have a problem with them touching me," John Martin said. "I was in law enforcement for my career and did some of the same stuff, so no problem."
Shawn Peck was more reluctant, but still saw the wisdom in the palm pat-down.
"Of course I'd prefer they didn't pat me down, but if it makes it safer, I guess I'm obligated to be patted-down," Peck said.
Traveler Laura Fisher also said she had no problem with the new technique, saying "it's just a body."
Local TSA spokesman Dwayne Baird declined comment Friday.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
