Travelers Weigh In On Airport Heightened Security

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―A full body scan or a full body pat down. If you are going to fly, you have to do it—but your pilot doesn't. Now some passengers are launching protests. explains why some say the security checks are absolutely necessary.

Kelly McPherson explains why some say the security checks are absolutely necessary.

Travelers are protesting heightened security measures of complete body scans and personal pat downs. After a San Diego traveler posted this on Youtube: "I don't understand how a sexual assault can be made a condition of my flying."

We met one Maryland traveler who had the pat down at New York's Laguardia airport, and he still thinks it's a good idea.

"They went through it very thoroughly as well," said Stas' Kotula, Baltimore traveler. "I mean he told you everything that he was going to do.  It was a little comfortable at times."

But two servicemen on their way to Iraq disagree.

"Think about it," said Alan Turner, who was heading to Iraq. "Who would want somebody's hands up in there crotch?  I mean, I know I wouldn't personally."

"So if they could do something else like a body scan then that'd be good," said Corri Sauls, who was also heading to Iraq.

On Friday, the Transportation Security Administration announced that pilots with two forms of ID will not be scanned.

"Honestly, I don't mind as long as I'm safe on my flight and in the airport," said Christie Sullivan, Baltimore traveler.

A Baltimore police officer who lost his brother in Sept. 11 is weighing in: "Our safety comes first, 'cause I tell you what, you don't want to be in my position," said Kenny Knacke. "You don't wanna, you know, one day something tragic happening, your loved one was there and finding there was a way to prevent it, and this is just one of the small steps that we need to take to prevent the bigger tragedy."

"The bottom line is trying to ensure everybody that's getting on the flight can be assured with high confidence that everyone else on that flight has been properly screened," Knacke added.

The feds are also offering that airports can use private contractors for security instead of the TSA workers. BWI-Marshall is not opting for that change.

TSA says the scans and pat downs are working, as 130 illegal or prohibited items have been detected.