Airport 'puffer' machines?

[Skweres]

if anything happened you'd be risking an indecent exposure charge, it might be a good idea not to go regimental

[elitekiltedcommando]

if anything happened you'd be risking an indecent exposure charge, it might be a good idea not to go regimental

But technically wouldn't the airport be responsible for causing said exposure?

[Fearnest]

While I have not yet had experience with one, I would think that it shouln't lift a kilt, otherewise there would be a lot of women suing due to their exposure in skirts.

Adam

But technically wouldn't the airport be responsible for causing said exposure?

Yes, but there are plenty of signs that warn you of the possibility - and so you can "guard" yourself against exposure. I'm sure they'll have a puffer in a remote location for those who are truly concerned - but the issue is probably less about these machines than it is of the scanners that see "through" your clothing and let the security folks examine you in very explicit detail. (TSA is trying to get around that by having the screener at a remote site so he/she can't put a face to a scanning.)

And I guess the true bottom line is, if you're not willing to submit to the airport security procedures, take the bus.

[Aggie]

Are these a very recent thing?

[mkmound]

I had to go through one last year in Dallas-Ft. Worth airport; only one occurrance of all the trips I made last year (probably a dozen). I assume that it's a random screening. As far as I know, DFW only has them in Terminal D (international).

I had a lighter weight kilt on (either SWK or USAK semi-trad, don't remember for sure), and it did get blown up almost enough to be interesting. The puffing lasts a couple of seconds. I had my arms down at my sides, but in hind sight, should have gatheres at least the side pleats and held them down to minimize the lift.

[SoldierSpike]

Puffers work by sampling the air against a known slew of chemical/biological/explosive weapons, from what I've seen in their smaller handheld cousins they can be quite effective.
Their use is more widespread than it was in '05, but they still aren't everywhere.

Marc

[arrogcow]

Are these a very recent thing?

Fairly, just another step that says, "look were doing something." that really doesn't make anyone safer.

Adam

[Aggie]

OK, I may be a little dense but, how exactly does an air puffer thingy help with security? I've not seen one of these things yet and I went through Houston just last summer which is pretty big.

[Fearnest]

OK, I may be a little dense but, how exactly does an air puffer thingy help with security? I've not seen one of these things yet and I went through Houston just last summer which is pretty big.

It's similar in appearance to the metal detector, but as you stand in it it puffs air at you from various angles. Sensors then "read" the air to see if you're giving off chemical traces from nonmetallic explosives, etc.

[KiltedKnight]

It's similar in appearance to the metal detector, but as you stand in it it puffs air at you from various angles. Sensors then "read" the air to see if you're giving off chemical traces from nonmetallic explosives, etc.

That should be interesting, I do a lot of reloading and I would imagine that single and double base powders give off a lot of dust that might sound the alarm. Another good reason to stay away from those paranoid ones at the airports.

Chris.