Originally Posted by
Global_Hi_Flyer
Depending on the sensitivity of these ion detectors, false positives may be a real issue. The percentage of dollar bills in circulation in the US that test positive for cocaine is a extroardinarily high number.
The bigger issue will be at TSA checkpoints: I would be surprised if the agency removes the signatures of drugs from the system.... Which would encourage warrant less searches looking for drugs if it alarms. Aside from the prescription drug issue, I believe that there could be legal issues if a search were started if the machine alarmed only for drugs but not explosives.
I believe that these machines have an ion generator that penetrates the item under test and detects the reflections or changes to the returns based on the property of materials.
(bolding mine). Something that would be virtually impossible to ever establish.
Interesting that you mention the prescription drug issue. It is already an issue for me. I carry 'nitro' pills, have for a few years now. The only time I don't carry them is when I'm flying and while I'm away from home. I've had TSOs open bottles during bag checks. I can just imagine what would happen if they opened the nitro bottle (bottle within a bottle, actually) - I'd probably still be locked up.