Recent TSA Experience

[tinkmom2]

Hi All!
Just wanted to tell you all about our recent trip and how the air ports were. On the way to Disney we had no problem getting through security and the family line out of Milwaukee. On the way back from MCO was a different story.

I am all for safety but when does something cross the line?
My husbands' hands were swabbed after he went through the metal detector gate. They said it was testing for swine flu. Also they hand searched my daughters Nintendo DS because they said her chip sent off a silent alarm. We co-operated in both instances.

However, I am thinking to myself "What if my DH does have the flu and is stuck here? What would we do? Where would he stay? What would I do?" I also heard they are scanning peoples hard drives on their computers. That's a big reason I didn't bring mine plus I wanted to be disconnected from technology.

When we got to our planes' gate we were also surprised to see some TSA employees swabbing people I guess they suspected of illness and swabbed peoples drink straws.

No harm done. Just wanted to tell everyone what they may encounter.

[pr surfer]

That's another TSO making up the rules as they go. They are not qualified to determine what is and isn't swine flu.

If it were me, I'd be writing a letter about this.

[dburg30]

They actually said they were swabbing for h1n1, and he wasnt just randomly picked for extra screening? I mean, IMO it wouldnt be impossible for a person with a healthy immune system to have the flu 'on their hands' but not really be infected with it. Who knows, maybe the tray that you put your shoes in had it on it (I know he didnt test positive, but what if he did?). Unless they are taking big strides in cleaning their bins EVERYTIME before they put them back out, I'd be more worried there! Plus, the person that checks your ID, who's to say they didnt get it and 'transfer' it to you thru your license or something?!?!

As far as the DS, well, I've had electronics checked before, even though they were packed exactly the same as other security checkpoints. That I wouldnt get too excited about.

And I really have a hard time believing they are scanning hard drives. Scanning them for what? I'm not saying this didnt happen, but it sure seems a bit 'off' IMO.

I would for sure send off an email or letter or call and let them know what you saw and heard and see if this was a new 'standard operation procedure'.


edit: Although, reading the TSA site, I guess I didnt realized that since May they just want your shoes on the belt and not in a bin. So either since we fly out of a not real busy airport (CMH and RDU) via SW they dont make a big issue, or I didnt read instuctions or follow them very well.. oops

[seashoreCM]

They were probably scanning the laptop with some kind of chemical detector to make sure it was a laptop and not stuffed with other, dangerous, materials.

Some chemical detectors identify minute traces of vapors. Others emit radiation that excites the molecules of certain compounds and the response is picked up and analyzed.

A hard drive's contents cannot be ascertained by passing a wand over it.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

[MinnieLuvsMickey09]

When I have gone thru the checkpoints they have swabbed my luggage for explosive material etc...

In todays day and age and with all that has happened with terrorism. I will grumble to myself about the long lines etc but thank them for doing their job...

As far as checking for H1NI by all means check... I would rather have the whole darn plane screened then have to get home and be "quarantined" and stuck in some hangar or hotel waiting to be cleared health wise..

So try to go easy on the TSA's their job is one that isn't easy and they are just one of many agencies who are tryin to make our travelling easier.

[tinkmom2]

This is what I found on the TSA sight about the testing of computers but I know I read another article that they are scanning hard drives. When I find that I will post it. About the swabbing of hands I am only relating what the TSA guy said to my husband.
Believe me I would rather be safe than sorry
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/why.shtm

[DebbieB]

I've heard of swabbing for explosives but not for diseases. That's what those "puffer" machines are for, to detect explosive residue. I didn't think you could get an instant result for swine flu.

[tinkmom2]

I didn't think so either. I thought it strange too that they were swabbing peoples straws and the insides of their mouths. I have heard of how they are using devices to detect peoples temperature to see if they are sick or not though in other countries.

[dis-happy]

That makes no sense (swabbing for swine flu). And swabs inside people's mouths? Sounds like DNA collection to me. I sure as h**l would be asking a lot of questions about that.

[dburg30]

The scanning hard drive thing, while I believe you have heard and / or read something like that, that just seems tin-foil hat material. There are people that travel with, I would guess, rather secure / personal information. I've heard of them (though not recently) making you fire up the computer to make sure it actually WAS a working computer, but never looking at contents of your hard drive. That's pretty much invasion of privacy and I'm sure there would be an outcry from people if that was happening.

[bavaria]

Tin foil hats came to mind when I read this early this morning; I actually laughed out loud at the comment made by the TSA officer.

I can well imagine that being a TSA officer at MCO is the absolute nadir of fortune, and if I were stationed there I could see myself making a sarcastic comment given the hysteria about H1N1 in America and the absolute frustration that they must experience in that role at that particular airport. I don't condone lying, or misleading people, but I did wonder if it was said in a joking fashion.

I have passed through many heat sensing body scanners this year and have never seen anyone stopped or detained, by the way. Nor do I hear any conversation about H1N1 in my travels around the world except for on this website.

I have been swabbed, and had my laptop swabbed, around the world for years. Here is what TSA has to say about the topic:

Next Generation Explosives Trace Detection: If you’ve seen our officers swabbing passengers and luggage with white swabs, that is our Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) machines. ETDs can detect even the smallest traces of explosives and are a very important part of our layers of security. $15 million will be spent on Next Generation Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) units.

http://www.tsa.gov/blog/labels/backscatter.html

If TSA were truly testing for H1N1 by doing such an 'instant' test, or scanning/reading/copying hard drives, there would be much media fanfare about it. Google 'TSA swabbing' and this thread comes up first.

The entire premise is so absurd that I can only believe at this point (unless I have other factual evidence) that the agent was bored, or fed up, or simply trying to inject humour into a stressful situation, and that his comment was misconstrued.

Either that, or he just plain out lied, which isn't too farfetched either, given the situation. (And again, I don't condone it, but I could understand it)

[bumbershoot]

I'm with bavaria on this one.

If it were so easy that an immediate swab could find H1N1, I'm quite sure that would be a great boon to mankind. Swab you as you enter the grocery store, get a personal shopper for you if you are positive and you sit outside and wait for your shopping to be done. Ahhhh, how lovely!


As for the hard drive stuff...I couldn't find anything about actually scanning a hard drive's contents...


I think someone pulled hard on the OP's legs... (in case that saying went too far from the actual saying, I'm referring to the phrase "pulling your leg" to mean "someone's playing a joke")

[tinkmom2]

This is a article I found on the swine flu swabbing from Hawaii. I am sure TSA will have something up soon to talk about their practices. MCO is a big international air port so maybe that's why it's being done there and not in a smaller market in Milwaukee. I am just thankful we didn't come home sick from this trip. We all caught the flu in March and it was no fun!
http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/sto...F3-vbyG5A.cspx

[bavaria]

That article is from April and doesn't even mention TSA! OP, I think that you are confused.

By the way, I flew in and out of HNL a few times a few weeks after the article was printed and there was no sign of anything unusual.

The article makes mention of screening in airports for illness, which has been around for years in many areas. In the last few months the only time I have been even asked is when I forgot to sign my health declaration in India a few weeks ago. I've travelled to/from/through countries over the years with SARS, Avian Flu, and H1N1 with little issue at all.

Health declaration forms, which the article does mention, are pretty useless, by the way. Even if I did have a fever or cough why would I write 'yes' and subject myself to some arbitrary action? It is winter in Asia and since the temperature 'plummeted' to 28 degrees Celcius many of us have a cough or the sniffles. If everyone were to be rounded up who was chilly in the cold air, or had a cough, or sniffles, there would be nobody left on the street or in my office.

[Glencora]

It cannot be legal for the TSA to swab anywhere on your person, either your mouth or your hands. If they can't collect DNA without a warrant, how can they do this? It's an unreasonable search and seizure thing. If I didn't care if I actually got on the plane or not, I'd probably ask (politely, mind you) for a warrant before I allowed them to swab anything!