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I'm sure it's a real device. And I find it horrifying, as well as terribly sad, that I have no difficulty thinking that someone in government service would even for a moment consider this a viable program for commercial airlines in the US. I would expect (and hope) international carriers to object violently.
I talked a big talk after a lot of the homeland "security" changes. Something like this would, in fact, prevent me from flying ever again. Amtrack had better step up to the plate.
Better "security" through technology. I haven't been on a commercial airliner since years before The Nine Eleven Thing, and will continue to avoid them at all costs. If they can bring the price down by mass-production, I can see those things becoming a requirement to enter government buildings, amusement parks and sports arenas, even public transportation. Why not? It's a brave cowardly new world.