Tips for Airport Security: Air-puff Chemical Sensors
22/Apr/2006 05:58 PM | Travel Tips
While only a few airports currently have air-puff
sensors, which are used to detect explosives and
other dangerous chemicals, it's still a good idea to
understand how they work.
Basically, you'll step into a box about the size of a phone booth (remember those?) and stand still while the machine blows puffs of air at various points of your body. These bursts of air blow microscopic particles off you and your clothing, which are then analyzed by the detector (like a high-tech sniffing dog). Wait until the computer voice or the TSA officer tells you you're clear, then exit the booth. It's all pretty simple, but does tend to slow down the line for getting through Airport Security.
Now, the thing you need to keep in mind is that while these sensors are set to pick up dangerous chemicals (such as drugs, explosives, and biological agents), they may also be sensitive to chemicals used in everyday things. For example, if you've just had your lawn chemically treated, and then walk through the grass on your way to the airport, you could have traces of "bad" chemicals on you. This could make the detector go off. But here's one that's even stranger ... I had a gentleman share the following story with me while at a recent trade show:
"I went through the chemical detector, and it beeped. They (TSA) pulled me aside and began searching and questioning me. I couldn't imagine why the machine had sensed something on me, but then finally had a flash. Earlier that day, I had a massage therapist give me a neck and shoulder massage. She had used some kind of lotion, which apparently contained something the detector didn't like. Now I'm careful to not even use hand lotion before going to the airport."
Basically, you'll step into a box about the size of a phone booth (remember those?) and stand still while the machine blows puffs of air at various points of your body. These bursts of air blow microscopic particles off you and your clothing, which are then analyzed by the detector (like a high-tech sniffing dog). Wait until the computer voice or the TSA officer tells you you're clear, then exit the booth. It's all pretty simple, but does tend to slow down the line for getting through Airport Security.
Now, the thing you need to keep in mind is that while these sensors are set to pick up dangerous chemicals (such as drugs, explosives, and biological agents), they may also be sensitive to chemicals used in everyday things. For example, if you've just had your lawn chemically treated, and then walk through the grass on your way to the airport, you could have traces of "bad" chemicals on you. This could make the detector go off. But here's one that's even stranger ... I had a gentleman share the following story with me while at a recent trade show:
"I went through the chemical detector, and it beeped. They (TSA) pulled me aside and began searching and questioning me. I couldn't imagine why the machine had sensed something on me, but then finally had a flash. Earlier that day, I had a massage therapist give me a neck and shoulder massage. She had used some kind of lotion, which apparently contained something the detector didn't like. Now I'm careful to not even use hand lotion before going to the airport."
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