Question about the airport security check from when I flew before WTC attack

[Rickten]

This happened many times before the WTC attack. I would go through the metal detector at the airport and then they would look at my bag with the x-ray machine but I could almost anticipate everytime that they would ask me if they could check my bag. So I always say yes and they rub this white piece of paper or cloth all over the outside of my bag and then put the paper in a machine. They always let me go after that but it happens just about everytime I fly. Anybody know what they are doing what they are testing for?

 

[GodBlessTheUSA]

Never happened to me. Maybe a check for stupidity?


j/k

 

[Rickten]

The only thing I can think of is that they think I have drugs and by rubbing the little paper on my bag it might pick up traces of something? I can't figure out any other possible explanation. They don't even open my bag they just rub this white paper type thing on the outside and the handle.

 

[Soccer55]

<< by rubbing the little paper on my bag it might pick up traces of something? >>




Maybe they were looking for traces of explosives? I've never heard of that being done before. Maybe I just haven't flown enough to see it or have it happen to me.

-Tom

 

[StageLeft]

They are checking for drugs or explosives; I think the latter.

 

[helloedchen]

check for bio-chemical stuff? i'm going to assume the white 'paper' that is wiped across your bag picks up something that can be seen under the scope or something. Just a thought...

 

[Michael]

They're looking for bombs. The machine sniffs the air from the piece of paper and looks for chemicals that are found in bombs.

Michael

 

[Rickten]

So WTF, every damn time they check my bag. yet tons of people go through and never get checked. What sets them off to my bag. Is my bag made out of something that is hard to see through or what. I carrry the same bag on the plane every time I travel. This usually happens at LAX

 

[churchdoesmatter]

bump ^ .. i woudl really like this to be answered too, because i'm curious.