Watched TSA agent search somone's luggage today

[lkohawaii]

I went to purchase my airline tickets at the airport today. As I was passing by I saw the TSA agent opening a suitcase. I stopped to watch so I would know what my suitcase was subject too. I saw her slidding something that looked like a white piece of paper all along the perimiter of the inside of the bags and in that pocket that divides the 2 sides of the suitcase. Then she closed it up and sent it on. She kept taking that piece of paper and taking it back to a computer. Anyone know what she was doing or looking for. She didn't ruffle any of the clothes just was interested in scanning for something with that white thing.

 

[mrsmom]

Yes , she was looking for explosive residue, We had this done on our camcorder bag and it showed up due to pyrotechic show in Las Vegas . Luckly we had the show on the tape inside so they could see. let us go.
Kim

 

[CarolA]

They can also go thur the clothes, just depends on what your luggage gets selected for.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

You witnessed what is known as an ETD (Explosives Trace Detection) swab test. The luggage is swabbed, and then the ETD machine tells the agent if there's anything potentially hazardous, which would trigger a more intensive screening.

 

[momof2OH]

I have had my aircast swabbed down every time I have flown. I walk through the detector,nothing goes off, but they have me sit in a chair and someone comes over with a circular white paper and wipes down the outside of my aircast. They take it over to a machine and a few seconds later tell me to go on. I know the routine now. Not a big deal.