TSA PreCheck "Random" Extra Screening?
Dec 4, 2016, 3:59 pm
#166
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Since getting Global Entry and PreCheck, I have gotten the extra random screening where they require you to go through the millimeter wave detection machine every time I've flown out of DCA (three times). Each time I have to sit and wait for a TSA agent to come operate the machine, paging multiple times, and it ends up being longer than just going through the regular security lines at that current time in the day.
Dec 7, 2016, 6:01 pm
#168
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Dec 12, 2016, 9:28 am
#169
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 886
2 random screenings
1 PreCheck Lite
1 undisturbed trip thru PreCheck
Aug 8, 2017, 11:29 am
#170
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Today, I was selected in the Pre Check line for "random" <whole body scanner> machine, surpringly keeping on my belt and shoes.
Last edited by TWA884; Aug 8, 2017 at 1:33 pm Reason: Term better left for the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum
Aug 13, 2017, 7:16 am
#171
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,919
Today at EWR, in pre-check line. I was "randomly selected" by the metal detector. Instead of receiving the pat down I was preparing for, they asked for my phone from my bag and swabbed it for soap/explosive residue then let me on my way.
Sep 10, 2017, 11:28 am
#172
Join Date: May 2002
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Should have been suspicious of a deserted pre-check line on a Saturday late afternoon. Of course the "randomizer" noise went off.
Everything out. Shoes off. AIT. And then the full pat down. Sure seems like someone decided they needed more work to do.
Everything out. Shoes off. AIT. And then the full pat down. Sure seems like someone decided they needed more work to do.
Sep 10, 2017, 11:36 am
#173
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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... fortunately my last few randoms have all been quick swabs of hands or bag and not extra screening.
Apr 17, 2018, 5:36 am
#175
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Pre-Check "random" screening
If one flies a lot, being singled out for a "random" pre-check screening will happen on occasion: you get a cursory pat-down.
On 4/15/18 in LAS VEGAS I was "randomly" selected: NO pat-down, the agent swabbed my mini ipad for explosives and I was free to leave.^
On 4/15/18 in LAS VEGAS I was "randomly" selected: NO pat-down, the agent swabbed my mini ipad for explosives and I was free to leave.^
Apr 22, 2018, 8:30 am
#176
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It's definitely the "random" check, but I've gone through at SFO probably 50 times this year, and I've hit the random check 25 times. It's not just about hitting it twice in a row.
I understand probability, which is why I've waited so long to post about this.
There's very little variance in what's on my body when I pass through the WTMD each time, which is why I'm wondering exactly how the system's implemented. If it's some probability factor multiplied by the amount of metal it detects on you, for example, then that could explain why I'm hitting it more than most.
Otherwise, I guess I'll resign myself to getting my hands or bag swabbed every other trip
I understand probability, which is why I've waited so long to post about this.
There's very little variance in what's on my body when I pass through the WTMD each time, which is why I'm wondering exactly how the system's implemented. If it's some probability factor multiplied by the amount of metal it detects on you, for example, then that could explain why I'm hitting it more than most.
Otherwise, I guess I'll resign myself to getting my hands or bag swabbed every other trip
May 7, 2018, 9:03 am
#177
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
What's the deal with the "random" metal detector beep?
It seems I get a "beeeeeep" from the WTMD every now and then, at which point I'm told I've been randomly selected. So I go through the body scanner (I get a "this person has Pre Check" flier to hold and keep my shoes on), and then I'm cleared and on my way.
What causes these beeps? Are they really random?
What causes these beeps? Are they really random?
May 7, 2018, 9:49 am
#178
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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It seems I get a "beeeeeep" from the WTMD every now and then, at which point I'm told I've been randomly selected. So I go through the body scanner (I get a "this person has Pre Check" flier to hold and keep my shoes on), and then I'm cleared and on my way.
What causes these beeps? Are they really random?
What causes these beeps? Are they really random?
I've merged your question into an existing discussion of this topic.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
May 7, 2018, 10:33 am
#179
Join Date: May 2013
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Posts: 1,079
Random alarms are a listed feature for WTMDs. They can trigger a random beep/light sequence to randomly beep for a set percentage of the time, that X of every 100 walkthroughs will trigger the random beep.
It's totally normal, although some might believe (out of cynicism or amount of times they've had it happen) that it's not truly random. However, there's no hard proof of the contrary (that it's actually a TSA officer pushing a button or something to trigger the beep or such).
It's totally normal, although some might believe (out of cynicism or amount of times they've had it happen) that it's not truly random. However, there's no hard proof of the contrary (that it's actually a TSA officer pushing a button or something to trigger the beep or such).
May 7, 2018, 12:59 pm
#180
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I've noticed the SFO WMD seem to have a fairly high number of random selections. I was selected, then two passengers later another was selected, and one more before I finally got all packed up from the search. Even the agents (Not TSA of course since contracted) were getting pissed off at how non-random the randomizer was. I only flew out of SFO 5 times in last year. 3 of which I got hit with the random selection
I used to have a Dilbert cartoon on my cube wall where the "random number generator" was a troll that kept repeating the number 9.
