To some extent, the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) body scanner is an issue of unethical design because the criteria of what it is testing for cannot be applied to trans or butch lesbian people. Yet at the same time, it is extremely difficult and tricky to be adjusted. This is because if the software design of the screening equipment has to be redesigned, it would add a lot of complexity and complications in the security process. As a result, it may lower the restriction as to who can pass through the process. So, the majority of people who travel often by plane may have a conflict on the US security if it is not as safe as before, especially when several life-threatening events happened in the US border. In addition, it is still a better option than the pat-down procedure, in terms of efficiency and also not intruding one’s privacy. Therefore, we cannot say that the design of the AIT machine is completely unethical when it has been designed to better assist thousands or millions of other people.

  However, I think the most important factor that contributed to so many unpleasant events for trans is the Transportation Security Administration(TSA) officers who do not understand the hardships of trans, thus making fun of them or humiliate them, with or without knowing that they are hurting someone mentally. As a result, making them being afraid of flying out when they shouldn’t be at all. Also, I came across the TSA website on tackling problems involved with screening transgender passenger. “ The TSA officer presses a button designating a gender (male/female) based on how you present yourself.” I was shocked when I read this statement because it is up to the officer to identify a person, instead of the person himself or herself. I feel like a solution to this problem requires a much better method to identify trans objectively. For example, there should be an option for a trans to schedule screening in a separate machine from the normal queue. But this should require strict rules to approve someone going through this procedure in order to ensure safety.

  As a side note, I am relieved that a pat-down requisition is available for people who may feel the need to do so. But in my opinion, I doubt anyone would like to be pat-downed by strangers he or she doesn’t know. Although this solution may resolve some conflicts within the security process, it still does not resolve the issue that some trans are being humiliated by the TSA officers.

  Last but not least, the conflicts happened to trans and lesbians can all be boiled down into the underlying problem of prejudices and a certain degree of discrimination against them. This issue must be advocated and TSA officers should be more aware of it so that they could be more understandable when coming across the minority of a society, which involves not only the trans or lesbian people but also racism towards colored people.