WFXG Fox54 Augusta-Your News One Hour EarlierTravelers call Augusta Regional Airport body scanner an "invasion of privacy"

A new body scanner at the Augusta Regional Airport uses advanced imaging technology to look for weapons or other items of concern.

The scanner also uses radio waves to scan underneath clothing - and for some who fly through Augusta Regional, that's too much. 

"Security is one thing but now we're getting a little too personal," says passenger, Aldrich Jackson.

"Having that sort of invasion when you're just trying to travel from point A to point B just seems like an invasion of your basic freedom," says passenger, Taressa Sergent.  

But no matter how controversial this scanner may be, it is safe for your health.

"The amount of energy that's involved is 1/10,000 that which is permitted for a cell phone transmission, so it is safe it doesn't involve any sort of x-ray," says Jon Allen, a spokesperson for the National Security Administration.   

Some of the concerned flyers say they aren't worried about their health.  

"Losing what I consider personal to me - to do that I think is just a little extreme, there could be other methods that could be looked at," said Jackson.

Passengers at Augusta Regional may be selected to go through the new scanner, but for those who don't want to go through the new scan there is an alternative - a pat down.

The TSA has installed the new body scanners in 140 airports across county and they hope the scanner will be received well in Augusta. 

"Our experience has been that where these scanners are in place 99% of passengers when presented with imaging technology as an option do elect to be screened this way," said Allen.

But those words are met with concern.

"It is an invasion of privacy," said Sergent.

"It's just a moral issue now it's not security, I think it's ridiculous," said Jackson.

Allen tells Fox54 the new body scanner won't increase security check wait times at Augusta Regional.

He also says the TSA is footing the bill for the scanner.