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View Full Version : Explosives scanners at the airports


John
17th February 2010, 15:02
It's amazing how reporters like to present something old as being new and extraordinary.

Today on CNN: TSA to swab hands for explosives (http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/17/tsa.hands.swabbing/index.html?hpt=T2)

Last year, I had visited US for the 2009 SHOT Show, held in Orlando FL. After the Show, I traveled to NJ to see some relatives, then I flew to N.Carolina to spend some time with Hunter and then I flew back to NYC (JFC) and from there to Greece.

Twice, during that itinerary, I was scanned for explosives. Once on the flight from NJ to NC and the second time when I flew from JFK to Greece. It must have been my complexion, which is quite dark compared to the average Caucasian, or the fact that I was carrying a backpack full of camera and computer gear? I do not know. What I do know is that these scans took place more than a year ago.

Why does CNN seem to discover them today? Or is it the fact that TSA will now go around the airports scanning people, instead of waiting to scan them as they go through security controls, that make this news-worthy?

What do they say about reporters and journalists? The best one has killed his mother?

RED
24th February 2010, 12:37
Scanners ?
Here the Customs use dogs too.

garrettwc
24th February 2010, 14:19
Been a couple of years since I traveled by air, but then they only swabbed your bags with the big q-tip swabs. Testing (swabbing) the actual person was not done.

Iheart1911
6th April 2010, 21:52
I think it's camera bags John, I was flying out of a smaller airport a few years ago carrying camera equipment and got random searched by both airport and federal security. I was the only person that got searched (small plane) but got it twice back to back. I thought it was extremely stupid that they would both search the same person.

I have never had my hands swabbed by q tips though.

TonyW
9th April 2010, 16:27
I've flown a couple of times since that announcement was made (from and to Washington, DC) and haven't noticed any swabbing being done. Now before that so- called increased swabbing announcement, I have had my carry-ons spot checked with the swab-- go figure.