Just had to share this.
My wife & I were heading home from Vacation. AVP (Wilkes Barre / Scranton) to IAH (Houston). We were the only two going through Security at that time. My wife feels I'm overly critical concerning TSA, but I made her see the light when I explained this to her.

TSA Clerk was waiting with the swab stick, and swabbed my wife's hands. (She's your typical grey haired granny.) She was positive for something, and was pulled aside. Everything was checked, and they gave her a grope. Now let me say that they were very friendly and pleasant, and it was a not an evasive grope, but while they were doing this, I was through, and waiting. (but watching closely)

At the gate, we got into one of our usual TSA pro's & con's discussion, and I gave her my point of view.


* She registered positive, and was checked. I went straight through.
* We were traveling together. Same last name, and destination.
* She had a bag full of snacks.
* I had a Computer bag full of electronics.

If she checked positive, why didn't they decide to swab me. After all, we're together, same name, same destination, etc. I could have built a dangerous device, and she could have gotton a trace of residue from me, but I rolled through, electronics and all, without as much as a second glance.

Security theater? You betcha!!!

Tell your wife she most likely tested positive for hand lotion

Had this happen in MEM last month, only the hand swab was before I even got to the ID checker . When it turned up 'positive', I asked the screener doing the swabbing what kind of hand lotion I had used that morning-when I walked away she was still staring @ the screen w/a confused look on her face

She didn'[t take any type of lotion on the trip, so it's still a mystery.

Since my OP, we finished emptying the checked suitcase. She carried her medication, but put a box of pills in the checked bag. It was one of those Sunday to Saturday plastic cases. Great news. The box of pills disappeared. It was full of laxitives. (Serious)

Given that the TSA is full of ****, this is actually quite appropriate

I'm actually thinking it was one of the baggage handlers.

Was she required to go into a private room? If so, does she realize that this was a requirement (i.e., a command from TSA) and not an option for her personal comfort?

They have a small fogged glass enclosure she went into. I have to admit, it was taken care of nicely, but my point was two people traveling together, one alarms on the swab test, and the other with all the equipment is ignored. No very secure, IMO.

That's really interesting. I didn't realize they could do that. Leaves lots of room for abuse.