Airport pat down today

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I guess that handling firearms last night left residue on my hands. Airport security took a special interest in me just now. I was wiped, swiped, and physically examined with great care. They were nice about it, or as nice as they could be in that situation. I can sure see where some folks might object to the very personal hands-on treatment. Unless the whole thing was just random, their testing ability is highly developed, to have sniffed out some tiny amount of gunpowder residue. When I put the guns away, I only used my right hand and I only touched the wooden stocks. Oh well...
 
Did you go through a sniffer machine? What airport? How did you know that it was your residue?

Just curious as they do select folks at random or for something behavioral.
 
Me too

I have been selected for a pat down plus laptop and luggage wipe three times in the US and Europe. Not aware of any extra sensitive sniffers that single out passengers for extra security. Simply random as far as I know.

Who knows, the OP and I may be one of the "usual suspects."
 
they do select folks at random or for something behavioral
Click to expand...
My guess is this.

I was selected at random once at Alaska Airlines, I believe I even had to drop my jeans (but not my chones). But the pat down was really half-assed. I also had 3 large weighted snagging hooks in my carry on that I'd forgotten about until I got home... they sent them thru with me on the plane.
 
Yup!! See if you would have let that squirrel be in the back yard before going to the airport. You wouldn't have had to suffer the indignity of a pat down. Those TSA folks must all be pulling for the squirrel too.:p
 
Because I had some screws, clamps and a titanium rod put in my back because of an injury, everytime I fly, I let them know before the security screen. They always swab my hands, and sometimes other places as well. They uusually take me to the side and do all this while my wife is still waiting in line. I always end up waiting for her because they take me ahead of everybody else. Sometimes things just work out! The only time I didn't let them know before-hand about the metal in my back- they made me step into a private room for more intensive search. I'll never let that happen again.
 
I forgot, sometimes they even ride us to the gate in a cart, although I've never asked them to do it I don't turn it down if they offer.
 
I fly from Phoenix to Saint Louis a couple of times a year. I always get steered toward the back scatter machine and I always opt out and go through the pat down.

What I do not understand is why folks in front of me go through the magnetic detector as well as people behind me. Yet, I am always steered toward the sniffer.

I do not recall a problem coming back to Phoenix from Saint Louis.

I wrote a nasty letter to TSA about my first experience with the back scatter machine and the way TSA took my money and wallet and had it out of my visual sight during the procedure.

I got the usual boilerplate reply from TSA. I wonder if that might be the genesis of this.

There is no way, statistically, that I would be chosen at random to go through the back scatter machine as opposed to the magnetic detector seven times in a row. It just isn't possible.

I just cannot prove it.

Geetarman:(
 
Last time that I flew, I declared unloaded pistol, some factory ammo for said pistol, reloading dies, empty cases, bullets, and knives in my check on. This is pretty standard traveling set up for my family vacations; visiting family that likes to shoot and reload.

I have not yet been subjected to a pat down or had swabs taken of me or my gear. I have been wanded on occasion, but that has been the extent of it.

Could be that I fly out of Anchorage when I head down south; however, I always do get that nice note in my luggage letting me know that they have looked through my "stuff". But so far not a one pat down; even on returning flights.
 
I've handled firearms the same day as getting on an airplane... never been selected for additional screening because of it. My guess is that getting "sniffed" was just a random check.

If they were to check out every single person who was dealing with anything slightly flammable before arriving at the airport then security screenings would take three times as long as it does now.
 
I used to fly with my range bag as my carry-on. I always expected to set off alarms, but even when they wiped-down the bag with a little cloth that was then put into some gizmo for analysis, I never had any problems. They must be sniffing for something other than gunshot residue; hair conditioner, maybe? They make a big stink about hair products, so they must be dangerous.
 
I think you just got lucky.

I used to get pulled for the wipe test just about every other time I flew and I flew a lot. After a bit, it stopped. After a few years of being left alone, this year I got pulled aside and patted down for the first time.

I don't look like any one nefarious (so my Mom says) and I'd guess that our good friends at TSA have to give so many "enhanced" screenings per hour. I think it was likely just your turn.
 
The detectors do not alarm for gun powder residue. I did the job for 2 1/2 years. I tested guns, spent cases, boxes of ammo and shooters hands. Never a single alarm.
 
I was told by a TSA screener when going through airport security that fertizlizer will be detected by their swipes. It is the nitrogen that concerns them. So if you fertilized your lawn the day before and happen to wear the same shoes, it could lead to more questions, and screening.
 
Sure Shot, the squirrel is still happy and healthy, though I do still have evil intent toward him. As for me, I guess the pat down was random. Good thing I wasn't late for my flight.
 
To me that's just common sense.

I took a bloody, I mean buddy, to the range to shoot on the way to the airport. Oops, maybe you should change closes, and clean up. Mr two terms in Iraq said yes maybe so and wash up.

It's good to have common sense. Well he made it through, but he was carrying the receipt for the range session, and he shot vary well for a rifleman

Thank God Jim made it.
 
Well I am sitting in the airport in Saint Louis, ready to go back to Phoenix.

Once again, no pat down here. Just the magnetic detector.

Go figure.

Interesting thing though, I was in line for the back scatter and I asked the TSA person to opt out and go for the patdown.

Her reply was interesting. She said if you initiate contact with a TSA employee at the station, it triggers an automatic patdown.

I replied that did not matter to me...I just wanted to opt out of the back scatter.

Her reply was: "I did not select you for a patdown, just keep that for reference for the future."

Strange?????

Geetarman:D
 
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