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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 7:19 am
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nrr
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"puffer" machine in las

A few weeks ago they were using the "puffer" machine at las for the fc line. You were supposed to keep your shoes on when entering the "puffer", but remove them when you went through the "normal" security device right afterwards. I thought the "puffer" was to detect explosives, if your shoes (and the rest of you ) passed this test, why did they have to re-check the shoes again?
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 7:35 am
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Originally Posted by nrr
why did they have to re-check the shoes again?
Are you asking for a logical explaination of the policies of this government bureaucracy???
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 7:49 am
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Originally Posted by nrr
A few weeks ago they were using the "puffer" machine at las for the fc line. You were supposed to keep your shoes on when entering the "puffer", but remove them when you went through the "normal" security device right afterwards. I thought the "puffer" was to detect explosives, if your shoes (and the rest of you ) passed this test, why did they have to re-check the shoes again?
Who do you think your dealing with? It's the TSA, remember.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 10:41 am
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Yeah..originally you were allowed to walk through the puffer and keep your shoes on...and keep them on as you enter the following metal detector. After August, the rule changed. My question is, if you're going to have to take your shoes off anyway when you go through the detector, what's the point of going through the puffer to begin with?? Wasn't the who0le point so you'd be able to keep your shoes on?? TSA....
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 6:39 pm
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And does anyone wonder why they use the puffer for the FC line? Probably most of these people are frequent fliers. The ones the airlines most likely have the most information on anyway. And who have about 20 more flights already booked. Unless of course the terrorists feel the need to have access to the first class bathroom, restricted as a security precaution.
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Old Oct 23, 2006 | 10:07 pm
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Originally Posted by DL4EVR
My question is, if you're going to have to take your shoes off anyway when you go through the detector, what's the point of going through the puffer to begin with??
The puffer would show if you have been in the presence of explosives even if you werent carrying any through.

My guess is that they scan the shoes since it would be possible to hide something (small but sharp) or even a small amount of explosive in your shoes and get it through the puffer.

The puffer can only detect something if the puffs of air can dislodge the necessary particles from your clothing. The puffer cannot detect something if you have been extremely meticulous about cleaning up after inserting explosives in your shoes ... as an example ...
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 7:39 am
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My favorite puffer machine story is JAX. They let you pick which machine you want... Let's see I am a terrorist with a bomb do I want the "puffer" or the regular....
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 2:58 pm
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Are these amongst those machines which the TSA had announced that it was going to get away from?
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 4:07 pm
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The "puffer" machine is in Lane 9 where the "SSSS" pax are directed. The First Class lane is number 8, directly to the right of it. I'm guessing they pointed to 8 and you went to 9. I have never seen anyone, or been directed to, go through the "puffer" on a F ticket.
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 4:20 pm
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Originally Posted by iluv2fly
The "puffer" machine is in Lane 9 where the "SSSS" pax are directed. The First Class lane is number 8, directly to the right of it. I'm guessing they pointed to 8 and you went to 9. I have never seen anyone, or been directed to, go through the "puffer" on a F ticket.
Where do those on F tickets who have been selected for haraSSSSment go? Lane 9?
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 8:29 pm
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Originally Posted by nrr
I thought the "puffer" was to detect explosives, if your shoes (and the rest of you ) passed this test, why did they have to re-check the shoes again?
There you go again, using COMMON SENSE where clearly none is called for.

--PP
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 8:51 pm
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
Where do those on F tickets who have been selected for haraSSSSment go? Lane 9?
Exactly.
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