ETD with random swabbing as opposed to random virtual strip search. Pull someone from line at random, infuse the pad and check using the ETD. Not everyone is getting the scanner anyway, so even it is a random check for now. Set up a bunch more of these machines and swab away.

Puffers worked well. The maintenance issues may not have been that intractable. (But I make my living in equipment maintenance so I have a bias toward fixing rather than replacing.)

WTMD.

Continue to X-ray the bags and use a random ETD on even some cleared by the x-ray bags.

Portable ETD machines are being tested that will sample air continuously and alarm in the presence of explosive.

Have passengers pass through a clear portal in which the circulated is constantly checked for trace detection. An alarm stops the queue and passengers are individually checked by ETD.

Dogs.

If any of these alarm, then you have a reasonable justification to do a more thorough search.

It may not be better, but it may be as effective without the necessity of having to press so hard against the known limits of the administrative search.

The process has become demeaning, stripping people of their dignity and designed with the implication that we are all criminals unless we can prove our worthiness. Ignore the legal for moment, the court will end up deciding it sometime. The political is outside of our hands as well, although we can exert our influence.

The problem is this: We have to contend with a system that dehumanizes people. It reduces us to objects for inspection, treated with the same level of compassion as an FDA meat inspector looking for e. coli. We line up to be processed, prodded and rubbed and photographed with no more concern that we are fellow human beings with emotions and hurts and fears. We are on an assembly line of virtual inspection awaiting a pass fail judgment of the ones in authority. Those that have in their power to stop our plans, to delay our travel, to make us miserable for a moment are often capricious and arrogant in the dismissive nature of our desire to be respected as people, not objects of inspection.

The new procedures reinforce this perception, a perception that you on the other side may not understand. We want to be treated with respect. The process is designed so that respect is not possible.

This is not something you can help or do anything about, but it is something of which you need to be aware.