TSA Weirdness at MDW 08/26/14
Aug 26, 2014, 4:25 am
#1
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TSA Weirdness at MDW 08/26/14
Flew out of MDW today and I saw 2 hand swab stations set up BEFORE I'd check! These stupid machines were only in the pre check lanes... What else is knew with these goons?
Aug 26, 2014, 10:21 am
#2
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I'm going to ask a rhetorical question: what happens when you get hand swabbed before the ID check, then you pass through the WTMD and it "randomly" alarms? Do they do a second hand swab?
Don't everyone answer at once...
Don't everyone answer at once...
Aug 26, 2014, 11:30 am
#3
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Aug 26, 2014, 11:32 am
#4
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I'm still grappling with the idiocy of someone walking down the line using the same swab over and over.
Good thing Ebola's not here, because that would be a great way to spread it: swab a pax, pick up the germs, swab and infect the next dozen pax.
Good thing Ebola's not here, because that would be a great way to spread it: swab a pax, pick up the germs, swab and infect the next dozen pax.
Aug 26, 2014, 11:36 am
#5
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What I really want to know is: What happens if you get a hand swab before the ID check and it registers "positive" for "explosives" (i.e., hand lotion, or other harmless substance)? Do they then direct you to a private grope-your-genitals-with-the-front-of-their-hands room, or do you get to turn around and go to the restroom and wash your hands?
Or better yet, leave one of your bags sitting there while you go the the restroom to wash. See if the terminal is evacuated. I know, I'm bad.
Aug 26, 2014, 11:41 am
#6
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Yes, that is disgusting! I wonder if you can refuse the swab, or should you just cough or sneeze really hard into your hands and then offer them to the swabber?
Aug 26, 2014, 12:00 pm
#7
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It's not clear to me: when they're swabbing in line, using the same swab on multiple pax, how often do they test the swab? If they swab 10 people, then the swab comes back positive, that would mean nine (and probably ten) innocent people get a second look (which, in TSA's case, usually means delays, bag rifling and hands in pants and between legs).
Aug 26, 2014, 12:22 pm
#8
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Even if that happened, I doubt if the swabber would necessarily feel the need to change swabs. S/he will most likely be wearing gloves; it's only the next pax who get swabbed who are exposed.
It's not clear to me: when they're swabbing in line, using the same swab on multiple pax, how often do they test the swab? If they swab 10 people, then the swab comes back positive, that would mean nine (and probably ten) innocent people get a second look (which, in TSA's case, usually means delays, bag rifling and hands in pants and between legs).
It's not clear to me: when they're swabbing in line, using the same swab on multiple pax, how often do they test the swab? If they swab 10 people, then the swab comes back positive, that would mean nine (and probably ten) innocent people get a second look (which, in TSA's case, usually means delays, bag rifling and hands in pants and between legs).
Aug 26, 2014, 12:27 pm
#9
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Even if that happened, I doubt if the swabber would necessarily feel the need to change swabs. S/he will most likely be wearing gloves; it's only the next pax who get swabbed who are exposed.
It's not clear to me: when they're swabbing in line, using the same swab on multiple pax, how often do they test the swab? If they swab 10 people, then the swab comes back positive, that would mean nine (and probably ten) innocent people get a second look (which, in TSA's case, usually means delays, bag rifling and hands in pants and between legs).
It's not clear to me: when they're swabbing in line, using the same swab on multiple pax, how often do they test the swab? If they swab 10 people, then the swab comes back positive, that would mean nine (and probably ten) innocent people get a second look (which, in TSA's case, usually means delays, bag rifling and hands in pants and between legs).
Aug 26, 2014, 4:40 pm
#11
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Aug 26, 2014, 5:26 pm
#12
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I would just politely remind them of that fact and that they are free to swab my hands with a clean unused patch AFTER I clear the TDC. Further, I will not submit to a swab once I clear the inspection point. They can recheck my bags but not me or my drink. (Never had to with either fortunately).
Aug 26, 2014, 10:23 pm
#13
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I recently started a thread about this:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...st-strips.html
As you can tell, my latest experience was at DEN, where someone was using the same 2 test strips over and over.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...st-strips.html
As you can tell, my latest experience was at DEN, where someone was using the same 2 test strips over and over.
Aug 27, 2014, 8:23 am
#14
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What I really want to know is: What happens if you get a hand swab before the ID check and it registers "positive" for "explosives" (i.e., hand lotion, or other harmless substance)? Do they then direct you to a private grope-your-genitals-with-the-front-of-their-hands room, or do you get to turn around and go to the restroom and wash your hands?
That's my question too, DeafBlonde. Technically, if you're in the ID checker line you've not yet begun the screening process so it seems to me that you could take your bags and just leave.
Or better yet, leave one of your bags sitting there while you go the the restroom to wash. See if the terminal is evacuated. I know, I'm bad.
Or better yet, leave one of your bags sitting there while you go the the restroom to wash. See if the terminal is evacuated. I know, I'm bad.
Aug 27, 2014, 9:39 am
#15
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