Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has become the 28th airport in the country to install new security machines that screen passengers for dangerous objects concealed under their clothes.

The new machines across the country are “largely a result of Christmas Day” when a Nigerian man boarded a plane wearing explosives under his pants, said John Lenihan, of Homeland Security.

Miami International Airport already uses four machines, and 70 others are in place at 26 airports nationwide.

Over the next year, 450 machines — called Advanced Imaging Technology — will be installed in 28 additional airports.

When passengers walk through the machine, officers review an image of their body unclothed.

The screening machines drew attention recently after a high-profile incident earlier this month at MIA.

The new machines are optional. Passengers can choose to be screened by the new machine or go through traditional methods.

The AIT machine resembles two giant stainless steel refrigerators with navy blue panels. Passengers are instructed to remove their shoes, belts, wallets, and cellphones. Then, they walk between the two contraptions and place their hands above their heads.

To ensure privacy, an officer in a opaque glass viewing room some 30 feet away from the machine reviews a black and white image that looks like a photo negative or a chalk etching. A privacy filter blurs facial features.

If there are abnormalities, the officer notifies a second officer stationed by the machine. Once everything is resolved, the image is deleted. It cannot be stored, transmitted or printed.

No cellphones or cameras are allowed inside the viewing room. To guarantee anonymity, the officer is prohibited from leaving the room until the passenger is out of sight.

(Source: Miami Herald)