Just say "No!" - Drink Testing at some airports
Jan 25, 2010, 1:34 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Do these TSA strips trigger on 3% H2O2 when held above a container for 5 seconds or not?
Jan 25, 2010, 2:07 pm
#63
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: AA: ExPlat, Virgin: Silver, Midwest, US Airways: Gold, NW, Lufthansa: Freq Trav
Posts: 276
Interestingly, "Homeland Security Research" 
has already determined those don't work well to detect sarin, even when dipped (of course sarin could be easily taken into an airport, since it is very toxic even in very small quantities, that would never be seen by the agents, or could comfortably be placed in the Kippie). It was also tested for detection abilities for cyanide (failed both when dipping and in vapor form), hydrogen peroxide (they only tested in liquid, of course, because you would not expect it to vaporize), fluoride (failed), chlorine and hydrogen sulfide (which I can detect by smell alone!).
Actually, searching that site for "Hazmat strips" gives quite a few interesting leads. This document (pdf - copied to my hard drive, since it will disappear) basically examines many available techniques to detect sarin, and states which worked or not.
has already determined those don't work well to detect sarin, even when dipped (of course sarin could be easily taken into an airport, since it is very toxic even in very small quantities, that would never be seen by the agents, or could comfortably be placed in the Kippie). It was also tested for detection abilities for cyanide (failed both when dipping and in vapor form), hydrogen peroxide (they only tested in liquid, of course, because you would not expect it to vaporize), fluoride (failed), chlorine and hydrogen sulfide (which I can detect by smell alone!). Actually, searching that site for "Hazmat strips" gives quite a few interesting leads. This document (pdf - copied to my hard drive, since it will disappear) basically examines many available techniques to detect sarin, and states which worked or not.
Had this happen to me at ORD today. Because of what I have learned from many of you I politely asked 'what is the probable cause'? She didn't understand what I was asking so she asked if she could test my coffee again. Again I repeated my question 'what is the probable cause'? Her exact response was 'I don't know no cause, I just wanna test your drink' So I said 'state your probable cause or get someone of legal authority'. And she said, my supervisor is on break and walked away. Thank you all again for teaching me the best way to combat stupidity with the smurfs.
Jan 25, 2010, 2:11 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
Had this happen to me at ORD today. Because of what I have learned from many of you I politely asked 'what is the probable cause'? She didn't understand what I was asking so she asked if she could test my coffee again. Again I repeated my question 'what is the probable cause'? Her exact response was 'I don't know no cause, I just wanna test your drink' So I said 'state your probable cause of get someone of legal authority'. And she said, my supervisor is on break and walked away. Thank you all again for teaching me the best way to combat stupidity with the smurfs.
Jan 25, 2010, 2:26 pm
#66
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
Thank you for practicing what you have learned on TS/S.
Jan 25, 2010, 2:37 pm
#67
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 303
Jan 25, 2010, 2:38 pm
#68
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Grand County, Colorado
Programs: IHG Plat, HH D, UA GS, Perm BonVoyed
Posts: 2,013
Had this happen to me at ORD today. Because of what I have learned from many of you I politely asked 'what is the probable cause'? She didn't understand what I was asking so she asked if she could test my coffee again. Again I repeated my question 'what is the probable cause'? Her exact response was 'I don't know no cause, I just wanna test your drink' So I said 'state your probable cause or get someone of legal authority'. And she said, my supervisor is on break and walked away. Thank you all again for teaching me the best way to combat stupidity with the smurfs.
^
Jan 25, 2010, 3:08 pm
#70
Join Date: Nov 2004
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A similar, obscene liquid insanity "test" happened to FTer xyzzy at Sea-Tac a few weeks ago.
Liquid insanity at SEA - random testing of passenger beverages at the gate
No TSA agent is going to put "toxins" in your drink. In fact, they aren't going to put anything in there. They would have waved their magic paper above your drink, dropped a liquid on it, and then moved on.
Before you cry date rape, you might want to check the facts.
Simply click the link in my signature.
Liquid insanity at SEA - random testing of passenger beverages at the gate
No TSA agent is going to put "toxins" in your drink. In fact, they aren't going to put anything in there. They would have waved their magic paper above your drink, dropped a liquid on it, and then moved on.
Before you cry date rape, you might want to check the facts.
Last edited by RoyalFlush; Jan 25, 2010 at 3:08 pm Reason: typo
Jan 25, 2010, 3:20 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
didn't I read that ih PHL an agent tried to put some..
TSA employees have been convicted of selling drugs, running guns, theft, and many other felonies. Who's to say they are above other crimes like rape, murder, and terrorism? Those background checks that are so often touted as the reason TSA employees aren't searched into/out of the airside area and get to ignore other rules that passengers are forced to obey don't seem to predict an absence of criminal behavior very well.
Jan 25, 2010, 3:22 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Posts: 1,906
The test strips do not touch the liquid being tested. What is in the eye dropper and bottle is distilled water. The distilled water goes on the test strip, not in the liquid being tested.
The test is vapor based, and all liquids emit vapors. Many solids do as well, but using these test strips on solids is a bit impractical, easier and more accurate to use an ETD machine.
A few facts can take you a long way.
The test is vapor based, and all liquids emit vapors. Many solids do as well, but using these test strips on solids is a bit impractical, easier and more accurate to use an ETD machine.
A few facts can take you a long way.
I've had enough college chemistry (3 years) to believe greentips' assessment, and have observed the reports of TSO criminal activity cited by Spiff. This leads me to conclude there is no value to this testing, but considerable risk of my drink being inadvertently (or deliberately) contaminated. May you test my drink? No, thank you.
Jan 25, 2010, 3:45 pm
#74
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Did they think the OP was actually going to drink harmful stuff? Even if he were a terrorist, drinking such a liquid would probably put him out of commission preventing him from doing evil things.
Jan 25, 2010, 3:58 pm
#75
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 464
Yeah its just a behavioral thing, nothing to do with testing. They want to observe the passengers reactions when approached. Same as the stare down thing, they want to observe passengers reactions.
So they are not testing your drink, its just a pretext. The waving of the strip and all that, just for show.
Perhaps they think a terrorist will shout out "aarrgh!! I can't take it any more! You got me! I surrender"