The TSA's "Marilyn Cabinet"!

[mkmound]

As I was going through airport security last weekend on the way out of town, as usual, the buckles on the kilt set off the metal detectors. No big deal -- time to provide a training opportunity for one of the male screeners.

However . . . the Transportation Sceurity Administration (TSA) has a new trick: a "Marilyn chamber"!
They asked me if I'd been through the new procedure -- negative. "Wait until the light turns green, then step into the screening cabinet and stand on the footprint marks." It's a cabinet about the size of a telephone booth with two footprint-shaped spots on the floor -- no door on the near side, a pair of double doors, closed, on the far side. I step in, and one of the female screeners motions for me to put my arms down at my side.

Whoosh!!!!! A puff of air, probably couple of seconds long, comes up from the floor!! As soon as I unexpectedly sense the cool air on my thighs, I grab at the kilt to attempt to keep it down. Quite thrilling for a moment!

Apparently I passed whatever they were testing for, as they waved me through the doors and over to the next screening area to do the wanding. Don't know whether the lady behind me in line for the "Marilyn chamber" got much of a show or not . . .

Travel never ceases to provide elements of surprise . . .

Regards,

Mark

[Mattg]

Now that's funny! Have to watch out for those...

[CapnJ0]

Oh, wow. It's been a long time since I went through one of those. In fact, the only place I've seen them is at BWI (in Baltimore). I hadn't thought of the kilt aspect since that was before I started, but I don't think there's an exposure issue since the puff 1. is not very strong, 2. does not last very long, and 3. comes at you from all directions. I like the name you gave it nonetheless.

I think they use it to test for certain chemical traces, like explosives.

[JayFilomena]

I was screened at either Richmond International or Atlanta, and the screener had me stand with my right foot in front of my left about 18 inches, and did a triangle movement with the metal detector. No air woosh for me. I am almost jealous. Not even almost, I am jealous, I want a TSA woosh.

[motorman4life]

I believe those are called "sniffer" rooms. They call the apparatus at the top an "electronic nose" as it is an explosives detection sensor. The air is measured/calibrated, then pushed up past you in the chamber in a burst, then concentrated rapidly and measured again. The result is compared to the initial sample and checked for any fumes from explosives that may have been introduced.

My question is; what would happen if you inadvertently introduced a high concentration of natural methane gas while in the chamber?