Originally Posted by
narvik
If an item looks 'suspicious' or is not easily identifiable, AFAIK, they will run it through at a different angle, upside-down, or on a different side in order to get a better/different look at the curious object.
That should no longer be necessary with the
new scanners which produce a 3D image (e.g. the scanners are a CAT scan).
There are eleven of these CT scanners at Newark Liberty International Airport in Terminal B.
Long ago after meeting with TSA and having a behind the scenes tour of the scanning process what I learned and my advise when traveling is to pack checked baggage as a series of compartments. That is pack items in a series of smaller "bags" then place that in checked bag. If it needs to be inspected only a smaller "bag" is opened.
Similarly with carry on items, if there something that is likely to tigger take that item out and place it separately in a bin. Doing so keeps the TSA out of everything else.
That is my best practice advice. It usually works. Not always, because the TSA does not always hire "
the best and brightest." That is not my statement but a direct quote from someone within TSA.