View Full Version : Don't go shooting before you fly - TSA Hand Swabbing
Snaquebite
02-17-2010, 14:13
I know it's a CNN link but I couldn't find it on Fox.
Washington (CNN) -- To the list of instructions you hear at airport checkpoints, add this: "Put your palms forward, please."
The Transportation Security Administration soon will begin randomly swabbing passengers' hands at checkpoints and airport gates to test them for traces of explosives.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/17/tsa.hands.swabbing/index.html
This will bring an already hap-hazard system to a grinding halt.
Anyone using hand lotions containing glycerides or nitrates will now light the lamp......
Snaquebite
02-17-2010, 14:52
This will bring an already hap-hazard system to a grinding halt.
Anyone using hand lotions containing glycerides or nitrates will now light the lamp......
False positives on everything from cosmetics to various sundry items like soap and toothpaste. I've read lipstick always seems to register on the printout as semtex.
False positives on everything from cosmetics to various sundry items like soap and toothpaste. I've read lipstick always seems to register on the printout as semtex.
Concur - right now the checkpoints are averaging over half false positives due to TSA employees Lysterine and Iwa Jema failing to wear gloves whilst conducting object swipe tests.
Future prediction ::::: Within two months TSA will issue a directive to check everyone for "those little alcohol wipe packets" found in eating establishments past the security check point......... this is just getting embarrassing.
I'm sure that some religion considers it offensive to have their hands touched in this manner.
Having worked airport security, if you take heart meds (like Nitroglycerin) it really lights up the bells and whistles.. We had one of our screeners who was unable to work the sniffer machine, due to his meds. it kept alarming.
dr. mabuse
02-18-2010, 17:42
*
That's ok, I was flying back to benning at the end of block leave, prior to 9-11. I was using my issued assault pack as my carry-on item.
Prior to block leave I had used that assault pack daily carrying charges around during my duties as an instructor for a 3/75 demolitions course...
Reno airport had just instituted full x-rays or swabbing of carryon baggage.
Luckily I was able to specifically identify all the stuff the swab screening read off, to the shock of the machine's operator. I didn't *HAVE* anything IN the bag other than my shave kit and some other various junk like my I-Love-Me book with all my various awards, etc. Life almost got rather interesting..
Utah Bob
02-19-2010, 07:48
I don't believe gunpowder residue will trip the machines.
As I recall, they're set to detect nitrates and HE compounds.
I used to use my range bag as a carry on. I do not do that anymore.
The Reaper
02-21-2010, 14:26
I don't believe gunpowder residue will trip the machines.
As I recall, they're set to detect nitrates and HE compounds.
Smokeless powder is either nitroglycerin or nitrocellulose based, or both.
TR
Threeofclubs
02-22-2010, 03:09
A while back I was traveling through Vancouver airport and got a positive swab off my gear. I was not delayed overly long, but was subject to something that went way beyond "additional screening." The staff were very professional and respectful to my needs/disability, so I have no real complaint. We never figured out what I tested positive for but there are many possibilities.
I live & work on a farm (fertilizer, manure, pesticides) I shoot quite a bit, fool around with (legal!) fireworks... who knows? One change I made was to stop taking anything I might travel with, backpacks, etc. to the range with me. Now I use dedicated airport-friendly luggage that doesn't get exposed to scary chemicals.
Unless the technology & training has come a long way since then, expanding this program is, in my opinion, going to cause a metric assload of false positives & resulting headaches.