Useless SSSS
 

My wife and I recently flew J from LHR to ORD and she got the dumb SSSS on her boarding pass. Since we each had one carry on, I just took both bags through security. She then only carried a very tiny purse ;) , and was cleared quickly. :)

Of course I am sure the "bad guys" would not know what the SSSS meant and would not do the same. :rolleyes:

I just had my first SSSS experience. I had a bit more inpection than the OP...my bag is swiped with a cloth and, of course, after many, many, flights, I am told my swatch is a "hit"....but this could be a reaction to talcum powder or skin cream product...I am told after a few questions....I let then do their thing and was on my way in about 8 minutes...the head guy was totally un-polite..the other was quite friendly..it was almost like the good cop--bad cop routine in movies.

Hand cream and talc both have glycerin. Gives you a positive hit.

Thanx for the information, bambi47...it is very much appreciated. Chemistry/Science was not my forte in school.

No problem, glad to help. Just let the hand cream dry before you pick up your luggage. Also, ask that the ETD operator change their gloves, don't want a false alarm from the previous passenger. :) :)

Thank you again for the great tips, bambi47. Do you by any chance know the policy on actually being close to your belongings? I was quite a distance from my belongings..wallet, passport, etc...and could not see any of the testing. When I asked about collecting my wallet I was told not to worry. I could care less id they tested for whatever, however, I was more concerned with the cash inside. Everything was returned fine but you never know. Thanx again for enlightening me on this subject I have little knowledge about.

Policy states that the passenger should always have a clear veiw of their belongings. If you can't see them, someone should bring them to you. If they are being tested for something, the testing shouldn't begin until your done your screening and are present for the test. As for your wallet, please take the cash out of it before you put it through the x-ray. Its not always the screeners that you have to worry about. You don't always know the passengers going through before or after you that could take your belongings. Be safe, and as always, glad to help.

What's it called when they scan your bag and then ask if they can go through it? I got that yesterday LAX-SEA. Lady said that they had to "check something". Ended up that my electric toothbrush accidently was pushed on and she thought that it was a ticking sound...uh...nope...kinda sounds like a toothbrush. They even sent it though the scanner again...so dumb.

"Manual inspection"

Electric toothbrush, eh? Yeah right... ;)

Hey! :rolleyes:

It's not everyday that you find something in your bag moving! Would make me suspicious too. Most newer razors (for example) have lock switches to prevent them from turning on in transit - obvious reasons. Maybe they need to put these on toothbrushes...

redjr...

It means they weren't quite sure what it was. When we look at your bag, its not like we get a 3-D picture. Say you had a camera and the electric toothbrush was lying on top of it. We can't distinguish that there are 2 items. So a manuel check is the way to go. That's why you'll see screeners showing the x-ray person different items. They obviously weren't really worried about it or it would have been swiped for explosives. But I must say, all of the vibrating things I've come across have NOT been toothbrushes. :D

Venice: In reply to your question "What's it called when they scan your bag and then ask if they can go through it?"
That's called a rhetorical question, or perhaps coercion, because if you want to fly there can be only one answer from you.
Remember, the TSA definition of public frisking is not an insinuation that you are a damned lying terrorist.

Ah, no.

Their definition is "Dignity and respect." It is a PLEDGE, from them to you. Enjoy those cattle pens, sweetie.

You'd be surprized how many times a day we find "vibrating" objects in bags. Especially when people are going on vacation. Thank God for gloves!!!