The puffer loophole
Nov 11, 2005 | 6:38 pm
#1
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The puffer loophole
So I they had me blown this morning. I was kind of surprised. I guess it was random. The thing that surprised me was that I couldn't see any of my stuff when I was in the puffer waiting to be blown. Next time, I'm going to ask to have my stuff in plain view. After all, that is what has been promised us, right?
Airports don't yet look like they are set up to have your stuff visible during the process. It should be interesting.
Airports don't yet look like they are set up to have your stuff visible during the process. It should be interesting.
Nov 11, 2005 | 6:44 pm
#2
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I went through that at SFO on Wednesday and asked about my laptop. I was told one of their reps would safeguard my belongings until I got out of the booth, and sure enough there was someone standing next to my laptop when I got out.
Nov 11, 2005 | 11:06 pm
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Originally Posted by tom911
I went through that at SFO on Wednesday and asked about my laptop. I was told one of their reps would safeguard my belongings until I got out of the booth, and sure enough there was someone standing next to my laptop when I got out.
This was clearly not considered when the puffers were introduced and I'm not too sure if there will be an acceptable method to watch ones valuables while locked in the puffer.
Nov 12, 2005 | 5:38 am
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Next time I'm going to insist that I remain able to see my stuff. At SFO, where this happened, it would be possible to do that if a screener takes my stuff off the conveyer and moves it into the wanding area immediately in front of the puffer.
Thems the rules, aren't they?
Thems the rules, aren't they?
Nov 14, 2005 | 9:14 am
#5
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Since the puffer is supposed to detect traces of explosives and anything else they set it for, I suppose there's no technical reason (other than physical space) why you can't take all of your carry-on stuff with you into the puffer.
Good on you for challenging the in-sight policy. You might want to have a credible source document listing of the number of screener/officer thefts handy when they say "Trust us."
Good on you for challenging the in-sight policy. You might want to have a credible source document listing of the number of screener/officer thefts handy when they say "Trust us."
Nov 14, 2005 | 10:12 am
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Originally Posted by FliesWay2Much
Since the puffer is supposed to detect traces of explosives and anything else they set it for, I suppose there's no technical reason (other than physical space) why you can't take all of your carry-on stuff with you into the puffer.
Good on you for challenging the in-sight policy. You might want to have a credible source document listing of the number of screener/officer thefts handy when they say "Trust us."
Good on you for challenging the in-sight policy. You might want to have a credible source document listing of the number of screener/officer thefts handy when they say "Trust us."
Nov 14, 2005 | 10:17 am
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Originally Posted by ND Sol
Or just ask them to provide you in writing that they will be responsible for any loss that occurs while they have your items.
Nov 14, 2005 | 10:22 am
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You may find many TSA folks are unsympathetic to your request to be with valuables during the screening process. I got into a heated exchange with some TSA nasties at FLL who deliberately separated me from my wallet which was sent through the x-ray again, out of my sight. I was not amused.
Nov 14, 2005 | 1:43 pm
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Originally Posted by Mikey likes it
I've never been blown at a checkpoint.
Am I missing something?
Am I missing something?
Nov 14, 2005 | 2:54 pm
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Originally Posted by Mikey likes it
I've never been blown at a checkpoint.
Am I missing something?
Am I missing something?
It's not easy to stand up the entire time you're blown. But I guess with a chair or bench in that small space it would be harder to get the reaction they're looking for from blowing you.
I did feel slightly dirty, wondering how many others had been there before me, whether they cleaned it, and all that. But it did feel good to be able to say that the TSA people never laid a hand on me.
Nov 15, 2005 | 12:09 pm
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Given the amount of fecal matter (and related bacteria) that end up on movie theater seats, how much filth gets recirculated in the puffers? I am curious if someone will do (or has done) a study to see if there is an increase in chest/respiratory, ENT and eye infections of "puffed people" vs. a control group.
Nov 15, 2005 | 12:32 pm
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
Given the amount of fecal matter (and related bacteria) that end up on movie theater seats ...
I'd never been through a puffer and they weren't busy a week or so ago, so I asked if I could go through it at SFO. I think they thought I was nuts, but said sure. They had my stuff on a table where I could see it from inside the booth (of course, if someone had swiped it, it's not as though I could have run out and chased them down). At least you get to keep your shoes on.