http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/0414...sfo_trace.html

Apr. 14 (ABC7) — There's a new high-tech security device aimed at protecting airline passengers from terrorist bombs. San Francisco International is one of a dozen airports across the country selected to test what's called the Explosives Detection Trace Portal.

... but blows your skirt up. At a cost of $150,000 for each unit, only "selectees" will be using these units where one walks into a portal and puffs of air blow at different directions for 10 - 15 seconds.

It also blows your hair all over. I'm not gonna like this.

"lucky for me" , i don't have that problem (http://web1.flyertalk.com/gallery/vi...lery&id=goalie)

now as noted, the "new toy" is for "selectees" which to me is counter productive. if it only adds "10-30 seconds per screening" (per tsa), why not make it sop just like walking thru the wtmd?

just my "two sense".....

I got to experience this new machine last week before my flight to SYD -- ended up with the dreaded SSSS on my BP (probably due to a last-minute itinerary change), and they sent me through it.

The whole "blow your hair all over" thing is a bit overdone. It literally was a 1- or 2-second puff of air and then you end up just standing there for another 10-15 seconds before the lights turn green and the plexiglas doors open on the other side.

It's a lot like a higher-tech x-ray machine with glass doors, and one that you linger in for 15 seconds or so. If it makes travel safer, I'm not at all opposed to it.

Of course, the TSA drones at SFO that night had no idea what the machine did or how they were supposed to use it to screen SSSS'd passengers, so the machine may have had a bit of a rough introduction.