Originally Posted by
Batmanuel
It proves that those common items are made of things that the machine was programmed to look for. Maybe future technology will allow for better programming.
ETD prove absolutely nothing as far as true threats go. The devices should be removed.
He's a heart patient. Nitroglycerin medication comes to mind.
We have a FTer who uses Nitro medicine. Perhaps they could chime in and tell us if they have ever alarmed the ETD for that substance.
You answered your own question. The percentage of terrorist 9 year olds on American soil is pretty slim. I'm pretty sure that the Israelis wouldn't have ignored him if a similar situation occurred at one of their own checkpoints. If there wasn't risk screening, the boy would have been frisked. Is that what you'd rather have?
No, I did not answer the question. Neither did you and I'm going to guess that TSA can't answer it either.
Pat downs based on the results of ETD should be banned, at least until a reliable device is reprogrammed or built that only alarms on true threats. Medical Nitro, lawn fertilizer residue on shoes, Clear Care contact lens solutions, hand lotions, and such other items are not security threats.
Doing a pat down on some person because another individual alarmed is senseless and the practice should be ended.
TSA is focused on doing the wrong things.