February 17, 2010 Attack of the swabs
USA Today reports that roving bands of swab-wielding TSA agents will make “random” explosive residue checks of carry-on luggage at and around checkpoints and gates. Pack neatly so as not to inconvenience our public servants.
Frank@OBOW
Apparently the prime target for swabbing will be your grubby little hands:
Security experts consulted by CNN said swabbing hands is a good move, and privacy advocates said they support the new swabbing protocols, provided the agency tests only for security-related objects and does not discriminate when it selects people to be tested.
It’s a “very good idea,” said security expert Tony Fainberg. TSA screeners currently swab luggage handles and parts of bags that are likely be contaminated by human hands, he said, and swabbing a person’s hands increases the chances of finding explosive materials. “Looking at the hands means you will probably get a better dose,” he said. - CNN
Frank@OBOW
TSA official presser:
TSA Expands Use of Explosive Trace Detection Technology at Airports Nationwide
Press Release
February 17, 2010
WASHINGTON - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it is expanding the random use of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) technology at airports nationwide as an additional layer of security.
“Explosive Trace Detection technology is a critical tool in our ability to stay ahead of evolving threats to aviation security,” said TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides. “Expanding the use of this technology at checkpoints and at departure gates greatly enhances security to keep the traveling public safe.”
Since the Christmas Day failed attack TSA has increased its random use of ETD technology within security checkpoints to screen passengers’ hands and carry-on luggage. In addition, TSA piloted the use of ETD technology in both the checkpoint queue and boarding areas for two weeks at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Pitt-Greenville and Coastal Carolina Regional Airports in North Carolina.
Passengers can now expect to see the increased random use of ETD technology in areas where TSA currently conducts screening such as the security checkpoint, as well as in the checkpoint queue, and boarding areas. Officers may swab a piece of luggage or passengers’ hands, then use ETD technology to test for explosives. The swab is placed inside the ETD unit which analyzes the content for the presence of potential explosive residue. To ensure the health of travelers, screening swabs are disposed of after each use. Since it will be used on a random basis, passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport or each time they travel.
To date, the Department has awarded $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for 400 fixed ETD units. Additionally, President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget prioritizes key investments in aviation security, including $39 million to purchase approximately 800 portable ETD machines.
Reader Comments (15)
And the Oscar goes to......
1) Will the selection be truly random (which means that every member of the population is as likely to be selected as every other member)? That would mean no discretion in the selection to the TSA employee, but some criterion like "every 100th person through the door"...and it can't be the screener doing the counting. This matters, because some people have reported being selected more often than chance would suggest, and have theorized that it's because they look like cooperative and easily examined folks.
2) Will the swabbing result in false positives, for example, if I have spent the morning of my flight applying granular fertilizer to my lawn. The answer may be to be certain to carefully scrub my hands; but if that avoids a false positive for me, would not a bomber equally avoid detection just by carefully washing his hands?
Gary Williams
Besides, transporting explosives in body cavities or colostomy bags is still the most promising method. The only way you can catch that is cavity search, full x-ray or German shepherds sniffing out every passengers crotch. Hopefully, they will stop short of that.
And that doesn't even count the weak spots of unscreened cargo, airside sabotage, hostage taking etc.
Why are people so darn naive that they swallow the BS they are fed?
Till
I suppose that if you were to wear gloves, that would make you a "random" test target even quicker.
It is also a mild form of civil disobedience when you make the process more onerous in time and resources for them. At the same time it may attract the attention of bystanders and raise awareness.
Too many people are not aware. And TSA doesn't do anything to make them aware as we can see from the lack of signage explaining what body scanners do, for example.
http://www.truth-it.net/airport_security_screening.html