[NYTr] Bush's $200,000 foot-fetish Setback

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

UPI - Aug 27, 2007
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_212100066.shtml

Setback in U.S. Airport Shoe Scanners

by UPI Staff

Development of a device that scans air travelers' shoes without
requiring removal has hit a glitch and been sent back to the drawing
board, USA Today reported.

The ShoeScanner is being developed by GE Security and in recent tests,
"security deficiencies" were found in consistently detecting weapons
and bomb parts in shoes, Transportation Security Administration chief
Kip Hawley told the newspaper.

However, he called the $200,000 devices "very promising technology" and
said the agency hadn't given up on it. The system also includes a
sensor that detects explosives on people's fingertips.

In tests at Orlando (Fla.) International Airport that began in January,
Hawley said the TSA added some backup security measures, which he said
were "labor-intensive" for screeners and makes mass deployment of the
ShoeScanner unrealistic, the report said.

Steve Hill, a spokesman for GE Security, said the company is optimistic
recent improvements will meet TSA standards, the newspaper said. 

(c) UPI