TSA wielding Magic Paper?
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
TSA wielding Magic Paper?
Seems like it is just this week I've read about the TSA waving some kind of magic paper over travelers liquids.
What is up with that? Is it like my magic rock, or is there something about it?
It wouldn't surprise me to discover that it was simply psychological theater like the rest of their antics. Similar to the earlier, now discontinued, practice of ordering everyone to "freeze" for some limited period of time, presumably hoping to frighten some bad guy into running. . .
Keep piling hay onto the stack, TSA.
What is up with that? Is it like my magic rock, or is there something about it?
It wouldn't surprise me to discover that it was simply psychological theater like the rest of their antics. Similar to the earlier, now discontinued, practice of ordering everyone to "freeze" for some limited period of time, presumably hoping to frighten some bad guy into running. . .
Keep piling hay onto the stack, TSA.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Programs: Lifetime AA Gold-1MM
Posts: 4,909
Check out this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ages-gate.html
#4
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
Check out this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ages-gate.html
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
State of the art tech in 2006 was some peroxide sensors, but it looks like they want to actually dip them in.
These tests require swabbing.
As does this one.
OSU says it is a hard process, but they have something that might work on vapors.
Maybe TSA is just using these commercial strips, they're relatively cheap and it makes good security theatre to wave a wand over the bottles.
These tests require swabbing.
As does this one.
OSU says it is a hard process, but they have something that might work on vapors.
Maybe TSA is just using these commercial strips, they're relatively cheap and it makes good security theatre to wave a wand over the bottles.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: FrostByte Falls, Mn
Programs: Holiday Inn Plat NW gold AA gold
Posts: 2,157
State of the art tech in 2006 was some peroxide sensors, but it looks like they want to actually dip them in.
These tests require swabbing.
As does this one.
OSU says it is a hard process, but they have something that might work on vapors.
Maybe TSA is just using these commercial strips, they're relatively cheap and it makes good security theatre to wave a wand over the bottles.
These tests require swabbing.
As does this one.
OSU says it is a hard process, but they have something that might work on vapors.
Maybe TSA is just using these commercial strips, they're relatively cheap and it makes good security theatre to wave a wand over the bottles.


#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: FrostByte Falls, Mn
Programs: Holiday Inn Plat NW gold AA gold
Posts: 2,157
So a valid question to the TSO wielding the strips might be "has the use by date on those strips passed and if so then why are you using them?"
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
MisterNice
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cincinnati CVG
Posts: 284
#11
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 381
"State of the art tech in 2006 was some peroxide sensors, but it looks like they want to actually dip them in.
These tests require swabbing.
As does this one.
OSU says it is a hard process, but they have something that might work on vapors.
Maybe TSA is just using these commercial strips, they're relatively cheap and it makes good security theatre to wave a wand over the bottles."
These tests require swabbing.
As does this one.
OSU says it is a hard process, but they have something that might work on vapors.
Maybe TSA is just using these commercial strips, they're relatively cheap and it makes good security theatre to wave a wand over the bottles."
#14
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,444
If it is in fact peroxide they are trying to detect with these strips, the volatility is quite low, and when it degrades it generates ordinary oxygen. As a result, if no dipping is used, I would contend that the chances of getting a false negative are very high (and that is without considering that they are using expired ones).
#15
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Between EWR & PHL
Programs: UA MileagePlus dirt (former hard-way Silver); AS Mileage Plan MVP; Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 1,586
I'm failing to see the logic here. All liquids consumed in the sterile area (save for baby formula and medication) have to come from WITHIN the sterile area. Doesn't it make more sense for TSA to 'randomly select' deliveries of drinks, ingredients, etc. going into sterile area vendors than it does to hassle the passengers?
Oh, right...logic doesn't apply where the TSA is concerned.
Oh, right...logic doesn't apply where the TSA is concerned.

