WTMD are calibrated to different levels of sensitivities because different levels of metal are around different WTMD. It is why when you wear the exact same items, belt, watch, etc., you clear one WTMD but alarm another.

Often ther is steel in the floor that has to be accounted for, x-Ray machines near the WTMD that has to be accouted for too, and even electrical wires under the floor as well. You can actually set off a WTMD by being NEAR it, or passing something close to the outside of it.

So ... as a member of the TSA Blog team, can you comment on why the TSA Blog has gone silent? There have been no comments in five days ...

I have no information on that one. I can find no information in press releases or blog entries to correspond with this situation. All I know is this is what we are told to do. Sorry I am not more informative on this subject!

But doesn't his question assume certain things that may not be true?

One, it assumes that if an explosive liquid were found it would be dangerous to be there in a pile of other liquids while people are around. Why would we assume it would ignite by itself? Bleach itself is a dangerous liquid, I think just this last week I saw in the news a woman was attacked by two men with bleach, yet no one complains that such liquids are all around us, not contained.

Two, doesn't his question assume that we think all LGAs are explosives? I don't believe we do. Right now we do not seemingly have an efficient means of testing all LGAs quickly,. I was never taught that LGAs are harmful; how do you tell the difference between harmful LGAs and non-harmful? Isn't TSAs policy regarding LGAs not that all LGAs are harmful, but that to help to try to prevent the insertion of explosives LGAs all LGAs over a certain amount are prohibited (gosh, I know they will hate that answer - which is just my answer, not an answer from TSA, btw)?

The best bet is to send it in your checked baggage to avoid any possible conflict, I know that is not an answer you were looking for, but it is the best suggestion I can give. According to the prohib list, cigar cutters are not specifically mentioned as an item to be removed, but they do contain a sharp blade that "could" be used for nefarious reasons. Since it is not specifically mentioned, it does technically fall under the sharp items heading. This can be interpreted differently by different people and cause you some problems at different locations. The best solution I can give you is to send it in your checked baggage.

I will forward that suggestion to Bob and see what I can get for an answer.

I can't go into the calibration process, but all of the magnetometers meet the threshhold for operation by TSA guidlines or they are removed from service. I have nothing better to give you than that, but I will do some research and see if I can come up with a better answer.

Dont' worry...we can find it in many places on the web.

Just because I make a commitment to work on something does nto mean that I am making a promise to do anything other than what I said. The idea has been floating around for quite some time, but there are other things that are being worked on as well. As I stated, I will work with the blog team on it and try to get something setup, but keep in mind that I am merely a frontliner, not a division head.

I have no idea at all. I even have a comment somewhere in the ether myself. It may have to do with the holidays?

Of course! Are you on the naughty list this year?

What I didn't put into the statement above is I am technically deficient in the calibration process! I am really good at fixing broken metal things (teapots, spoons, etc), not so good at wiring and calibration stuff.

Thanks.

I think it would help clear the air on the blog. There is a lot of animosity on the TSA blog, and in my opinion, due in part to the none answers that have been given.

I recognize some areas cannot be discussed but if that is the case just state that.

Guess not, picked up my brandy new 2010 HD Screaming Eagle Ultra late November and getting an ultra-light fishing pole for Christmas.

Seem to be doing ok!

I seem to have managed sneaking onto the good list this year too! The woman gave me Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and actually lets me play it some. Congrats on the HD and fishing pole, I have a few of the poles at the beach and will be breaking a newer one in somewhere along March, hopefully the Spots will be around!