Guess what’s next?
To the list of instructions you hear at airport checkpoints, add this: “Put your palms forward, please.”
The Transportation Security Administration soon will begin randomly swabbing passengers’ hands at checkpoints and airport gates to test them for traces of explosives.
Previously, screeners swabbed some carry-on luggage and other objects as they searched for the needle in the security haystack — components of terrorist bombs in an endless stream of luggage.
But after the Christmas Day attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 over Detroit, Michigan, the TSA began a program of swabbing passengers’ hands, which could be contaminated by explosive materials, experts say. The TSA will greatly expand the swabbing in the coming weeks, the agency said…
Under the new protocols, tests will be conducted at various locations — including in checkpoint lines, during the screening process and at gates. Newer, more portable machines make it easier to conduct tests away from fixed locations such as the checkpoint…
Because some legal substances — such as fertilizers and heart medicines — can result in “false positives,” Stanley said the ACLU also wants to ensure that people who test positive be treated respectfully.
“It’s important that the government treat people who do show up as a positive — fairly and with dignity — and not parade them off in handcuffs and treat them as terrorists, but do rational things to investigate what the problem might be,” he said.
How many people out there expect TSA rent-a-cops to behave rationally and not treat you as a terrorist? Raise your hands!
Eideard 
Here I was, thinking about visiting the United States, bad heart and all, just as soon as I got finished fertilizing the garden.
Maybe not.
I like my anus the size it is, right now.
It is surprising what can be stored in the Matelots locker. fair play to the people who have to go in there for a kit inspection. If something appeared from in there and said BOO, they would never venture in there again, and they never would want to. YUK
As I understand, the tests give more false positives than they do accurate answers. Even hand soap has been known to trigger some tests.
Let’s all piss on our hands and then volunteer for swabbing. The ammonia will sure as hell make the detectors go nuts.
Someone is eager for an anal probe.
Uummm, you first.
No, Jäg first. After all, it’s his plot to fuck with the TSA.
😮
Ummm, OK, Just remember, I’m right behind you two with this. For some reason I don’t want to say “I got your back” while we have them out.
😉