Are WTMDs detecting particulate matter?
#46
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 642
All of the talk about what is and what is not detected, and about thresholds that alarm is mooted by the results of this activity. Nearly 100% bad results in which innocent people are getting bum rushed to the private hut to have their sex organs massaged thoroughly. If I'm going to the airport on legitimate business, and have done nothing illegal, and have followed the TSA rules in not bringing forbidden items, then I have full reason to expect that these clowns will LEAVE ME THE F**K ALONE. If you people can't meet this really low baseline of expectation, then you should not be performing this function.
#47
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
All of the talk about what is and what is not detected, and about thresholds that alarm is mooted by the results of this activity. Nearly 100% bad results in which innocent people are getting bum rushed to the private hut to have their sex organs massaged thoroughly. If I'm going to the airport on legitimate business, and have done nothing illegal, and have followed the TSA rules in not bringing forbidden items, then I have full reason to expect that these clowns will LEAVE ME THE F**K ALONE. If you people can't meet this really low baseline of expectation, then you should not be performing this function.
Oh i am sure what you wrote here will stir those on this site, but you really should consider better what you have said. According to your logic, if someone knows they have broken no laws, brought nothing prohibited with them, yet alarm the WTMD, then its you should not even be screened by HHMD. Yet i have seen almost everyone, including you, support the use of HHMD.
And for whatever reason you seemingly willfully ignore the fact that ETD is part of the screening process, also previously supported by many if not mot here.
Basically your comment is that, why we should all know who the "good guys" are and to not do so, to screen them is to harass them.
Based on your logic knowing you have done nothing illegal shouldn't even go through the WTMD.
#48
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,425
Oh i am sure what you wrote here will stir those on this site, but you really should consider better what you have said. According to your logic, if someone knows they have broken no laws, brought nothing prohibited with them, yet alarm the WTMD, then its you should not even be screened by HHMD. Yet i have seen almost everyone, including you, support the use of HHMD.
And for whatever reason you seemingly willfully ignore the fact that ETD is part of the screening process, also previously supported by many if not mot here.
Basically your comment is that, why we should all know who the "good guys" are and to not do so, to screen them is to harass them.
Based on your logic knowing you have done nothing illegal shouldn't even go through the WTMD.
And for whatever reason you seemingly willfully ignore the fact that ETD is part of the screening process, also previously supported by many if not mot here.
Basically your comment is that, why we should all know who the "good guys" are and to not do so, to screen them is to harass them.
Based on your logic knowing you have done nothing illegal shouldn't even go through the WTMD.
#49
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,972
I don't believe he ever said that and it certainly isn't correct. What they detect are trace (the "T") amounts of parts of chemicals that are used in explosives (roughly speaking). And gylcerin is certainly one of those (e.g., nitroglycerin).
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2009
Location: Grand Cayman
Posts: 18,737
I would suggest that "very small" is equivalent to "trace amounts"
It appears that the machines don't have an "and" function. Otherwise if it detected above threshold of a common chemical like glycerine, but no trace amounts of other components necessary to make an explosives it wouldn't alarm.
Besides, nitroglycerine is allowed through the checkpoint as medicine.
Something doesn't add up, when it appears that the "wrong" hand lotion is more likely to alarm than GSR from a range session.
Large numbers of false positives are not good for security.
For example, if an ETD alarmed and no explosives are found on the person or in their carry-on, why isn't this person's checked luggage flagged? That would be layered security.
It appears that the machines don't have an "and" function. Otherwise if it detected above threshold of a common chemical like glycerine, but no trace amounts of other components necessary to make an explosives it wouldn't alarm.
Besides, nitroglycerine is allowed through the checkpoint as medicine.

Something doesn't add up, when it appears that the "wrong" hand lotion is more likely to alarm than GSR from a range session.
Large numbers of false positives are not good for security.
For example, if an ETD alarmed and no explosives are found on the person or in their carry-on, why isn't this person's checked luggage flagged? That would be layered security.
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,986
I would suggest that "very small" is equivalent to "trace amounts"
It appears that the machines don't have an "and" function. Otherwise if it detected above threshold of a common chemical like glycerine, but no trace amounts of other components necessary to make an explosives it wouldn't alarm.
Besides, nitroglycerine is allowed through the checkpoint as medicine.
Something doesn't add up, when it appears that the "wrong" hand lotion is more likely to alarm than GSR from a range session.
Large numbers of false positives are not good for security.
For example, if an ETD alarmed and no explosives are found on the person or in their carry-on, why isn't this person's checked luggage flagged? That would be layered security.
It appears that the machines don't have an "and" function. Otherwise if it detected above threshold of a common chemical like glycerine, but no trace amounts of other components necessary to make an explosives it wouldn't alarm.
Besides, nitroglycerine is allowed through the checkpoint as medicine.

Something doesn't add up, when it appears that the "wrong" hand lotion is more likely to alarm than GSR from a range session.
Large numbers of false positives are not good for security.
For example, if an ETD alarmed and no explosives are found on the person or in their carry-on, why isn't this person's checked luggage flagged? That would be layered security.
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2009
Location: Grand Cayman
Posts: 18,737
I agree. Unfortunately, there is no valid reason why the TSA couldn't move away from theater and toward security.
#53
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,425
taking the checked baggage off the plane to inspect it would be a non option due to the time hit. So they are clearly relying on normal checked baggage screening to catch that, or if in Hawaii, on divine intervention.
#55
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2009
Location: Grand Cayman
Posts: 18,737
1 [treys] Show IPA noun, verb, traced, tracing.
noun
1. a surviving mark, sign, or evidence of the former existence, influence, or action of some agent or event; vestige: traces of an advanced civilization among the ruins.
2. a barely discernible indication or evidence of some quantity, quality, characteristic, expression, etc.: a trace of anger in his tone.
3.an extremely small amount of some chemical component: a trace of copper in its composition.
#59
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,972
For example, if an ETD alarmed and no explosives are found on the person or in their carry-on, why isn't this person's checked luggage flagged? That would be layered security.

