same "rubbing" at SFO (UA) and JFK (LH) - about every 8th passenger.

My little backpack got "rubbed" at SFO last year too. The security officer refused to explain when I asked why. She just said "See the line, move!" CATMAN

My powerbook always gets an extra "shine" but my bags never got "rubbed".

The "Rubbing" is for the purpose of detecting explosives, they wipe items with a piece of paper that is placed over a "sniffer", a device that will detect extremely small amounts of explosives, (as well as nitrates used in plant fertilizer and medicinal nitroglycerine) If you pack your bag after working in the garden you might want to allow a little extra time to get through security.

When Jim and I were enroute to the U.K. from SFO last September, his briefcase got 'rubbed' but mine didn't. When asked, the security agent explained this was a test to detect explosive residue. We figured it happened to Jim (rather than me) because he wears this cool, sexy beard and mustache.

Neither of us have been rubbed since. Wonder if it is more prevalent on International routes.

Interesting book I picked up at a second-hand bookstore the other day... It's title is "Airport, Aircraft and Airline Security" by Kenneth G. Moore (2nd Ed.) The book is written specifically for airline and airport security and law enforcement personnel, but it offers many insights about how our present-day airport and aircraft security came about. When the metal detectors were first put up in 1973, the airlines were none too happy about them, and it took several years before the kinks were worked out of the system.

My bags have been rubbed, my laptop has been turned on and I have been asked so many times to take a sip out of my drink. Now what kind of idiot would carry flammable chemicals right through security in their hand?