SOUTH BEND — At 4 a.m. Wednesday, South Bend Airport opened its new security checkpoint and began screening passengers with a new full-body scanner.

Travelers across the country have raised concerns about whether the advanced imaging technology devices are safe and whether the images produced are too graphic. However, airport and Transportation Security Administration officials maintain the machines do not harm passengers and, for a majority, make getting through security easier and quicker.

Advanced imaging technology is not a “silver bullet,” said Jim Fotenos, TSA spokesman, but with the other protective measures in place, like canine teams and federal marshals, it does enhance airport security. To date, 570 advanced imaging technology units, which cost between $120,000 and $180,000 each, have been installed in about 160 airports nationally.

The airport unveiled the new checkpoint Wednesday afternoon and TSA officials demonstrated the full-body scanner. Previously the airport had two security screening areas but with the construction of the new concourse, they were consolidated into one.

At the bottom of a gentle slope, the new checkpoint leads into the new terminal where passengers can wait on their flights. The advanced imaging technology device is in the center with a metal detector and luggage screening machines on the side.

“We’re ahead of the curve as far as security,” said John Schalliol, retiring executive director of the airport. “We’ve got the latest equipment.”

The machine resembles a multi-sided oversized phone booth. Passengers step in the unit, raise their arms above their heads and stand still while the shield inside whirls a half-turn.

Inside, the millimeter wave unit bombards the body with electromagnetic waves. Fotenos said the screening technique is harmless and the machine emits 1,000 times less energy than a cell phone.

Outside, a general outline of the passenger’s body (and not a picture of the naked body, Fotenos emphasized) is displayed on a screen located away from the checkpoint and viewed only by a TSA officer. For a majority of passengers, a green OK sign will appear and they will be allowed to exit the machine, collect their items and move on.

However if the scanner detects an anomaly, the part of the body where the questionable item is located is highlighted by a yellow box. Then the passenger will be pulled aside and that area of the body will be searched by TSA agents.

The scanner is able to detect metallic and non-metallic objects like liquids, powder, gels, plastics and aerosols.

Passengers with an implanted medical device like a knee or hip replacement joint or a pacemaker will be able to use the full-body scanner without harming themselves or without tripping the alarms and having to be subjected to additional screening.

When asked if South Bend needs such a high-level of security, Schalliol shrugged and said, “You never know. We used to find more guns than any place in the country but not anymore.”

Passengers can opt out of the full-body scan, Fotenos said, although they will then subject to a full pat-down. Also, if traffic is especially heavy, travelers may be diverted and screened at the metal detector.

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