Warks said:
Anyone know why the metal detectors in Sydney Domestic T3 always goes off when I wear a certain pair of shoes but no other detectors in other airports do? Cranked up sensitivity of course but shouldn't there be a standard?
There definitely is variation of sensitivity. Another factor with shoes is how low down the detects can find metal and that can cary between the detectors and how high you lift you feet when walking. How fast you walk through can also affect it.
The USA detectors are generally set more sensitive than in Australia. And if you trigger it in the USA you don't get a chance to go back, remove something (belt, watch, coins, shoes etc) and try again. They direct you immediately for a thorough manual search.
Warks said:
Do you guys dress to avoid being stopped? Tracky dacks (no belt), ugh boots (no metal in the sole), flanny shirt (just to complete the uniform). Would fit in on Virgin no doubt.
I do consider this. I have a pair of casual shoes I wear when travelling long-haul, especially where I will have multiple connections. They are comfortable and contain no metal and never trigger a detector. However, I have had TSA agents in the USA insist that I still remove them and put them through the x-ray, in which case it is pointless to anything but comply with their demand.
I also remove my watch when walking through. It is generally ok, but I would rather take the extra 3 seconds to remove it and drop it into the box along with my keys, Pocket PC, Phone etc, than find that one detector is set to super-sensitive and I have go back and try again (or hear the snap of the rubber gloves :shock: ).
Warks said:
How many times have you been tested for gunpowder residues? I don't fly that much - couple of times per month but would get checked 1 in 4 times. Darwin especially. What happens if they find something?
When carrying a briefcase or laptop, probably about 20% of the time through BNE. But when just visiting the Qantas Club lounge and hence just my car keys and other pocket belongings, I have never been randomly selected for swabbing.
I appreciate it when they use the little vacuum cleaner on the laptop keyboard - they do a better job of cleaning it than I ever do.