Originally Posted by
NY-FLA
Interesting post.
Since we can tell by TSA's liquid rule exceptions that only pax' liquids are of concern, we typical pax, when we need to transport a liquid, usually adapt to your agency's actions by checking said liquids. If liquids are really a concern, how do you clear the liquids that are in checked baggage without using "harder, more expensive, and really time consuming" methods. Or do the exothermic capabilities of liquids change if in the baggage compartment rather than the pax compartment?
Why can't the protocol that makes checked liquids safe be applied to liquids brought into the cabin?
And, BTW, your agency did have a tool that is effective at detecting explosives by their chemical properties. These were the puffers, but apparently TSA could not effectively maintain said devices at an acceptable reliability level. No it's not the X-ray machine you write of, but TSA seems unable/unwilling to accept that X-ray technology does have limitations.
Most of the baggage areas have different screening methods and better tech. The equipment in baggage is usually quite expensive, so it can't be placed at all checkpoint areas (although it would be nice wouldn't it?) The bag is also unavailable to the passenger (which limits some interactivity). I really want to know what an endothermic liquid would be.... sweet, maybe it could take the place of my air conditioner eh? Anyway, the puffers had many problems with dust and enviornmental contaminants, maintenance, etc, and became to costly to maintain at effective levels. I actually think the agency has admitted the limitations of the xray by taking steps like this and using the trace detection equipment. Nothing is foolproof, all aspects of the screening have faults and shortcomings, that is why we use several different (to quote agency speak) "layers" of security.