What is the baggage screening procedure for CX flights out of SFO? Can you be present for any kind of visual inspection required or are the bomb detection machines installed behind the check-in area? Thanks!

Last time I did it, which was about 6 months ago, the procedure was that after otherwise completing the checkin procedure you went with a porter who retained your boarding card to the screening machine which was located opposite the check-in desks (i.e. by the wall towards the roadway outside). You (and anyone else in who wished to) could observe your bag being put through the machine from about 6 feet away. I recall that I was asked to open the case, and then stand back outside a roped off, but not screened, area while they looked through my bag. Again this process would have been visible to anyone who wished to observe. Once the search was complete I think I was allowed to lock the case again before it was taken back to a belt near the checkin desk by the porter, who then handed me my boarding card.

It is only at SFO that I encountered all this nonsense.

Hmm - actually on reflection, I think I am recalling the old SFO terminal, not the new international one, so ignore that lot.

I must go over to the tech forum and find out why the edit function has disappeared!