"Excuse me Sir, You've tested Positive for explosives."

[albatross710]

Well it was quite a shock on an otherwise uneventful transit through Sydney Int where I was selected for an explosive swabbing and then to see I tested positive. For a desk jockey this was interesting.

A further two swabs from different places and analysis on different devices cleared me as being all clear.

In hindsight I think it was related to my last minute decision to throw some fertiliser on the garden before I headed overseas for a few weeks.

What experiences are people having with the random explosives tests?

Alby

 

[Milboo]

I tested positive twice in one test at BNE (domestic flight) and thankfully passed the third otherwise it was going to get awkward.

Likely cause was the fact I'd had my hair dyed (so ammonia) the previous day, tend to run my hands through my hair and put hands in pockets of jeans - where they were swabbing.

 

[Deleted member]

Mrs GPH had a situation where her bags and personal belongings were “interfered”with by a third party and when she pulled everyone up, there was a very lax response form the security mob. Her point was that the other pax was in Hi Viz and may or may not have had explosive residue from employment activity. Interfering with her bag, clothing etc may have caused a problem for her. This kind of third party contamination can have the potential to cause real problems. That said, it was the total lack of interest by security when she pointed out her belongings were being interfered with that got her back up.

 

[Denali]

When we last went through Melbourne, hubby, as always, was pulled up for a swab test but first they told him that the white paper tester thingy was used on 3 people before replacing. I was surprised by hubbys reaction this, he was quite vocal about how wrong it was that he wasnt tested with a clean tester.

Tried to tell him that if one of the prior 2 people tested positive for explosives, I doubt they would reuse the same tester thingy but he wasnt interested in hearing it.

 

[Pushka]

When we last went through Melbourne, hubby, as always, was pulled up for a swab test but first they told him that the white paper tester thingy was used on 3 people before replacing. I was surprised by hubbys reaction this, he was quite vocal about how wrong it was that he wasnt tested with a clean tester.

Tried to tell him that if one of the prior 2 people tested positive for explosives, I doubt they would reuse the same tester thingy but he wasnt interested in hearing it.

Yep. Same experience I had a couple of months ago. None of the 3 of us were happy about it.

 

[Mac502]

On one trip I continually failed - still let me fly - took my name, address and flight details.

 

[trooper]

Have travelled to many overseas shooting comps....been tested a number of times - without result. That was initially a surprise to me...but it seems the nitrate residues one would carry from modern smokeless cartridges (and even Black Powder - I shoot that too) are NOT the type being tested for....

On one memorable occasion I was travelling with a Powder thrower (to measure the propellant charges into cartridges when reloading) ...EMPTY of course.... but the screener swabbed the inside of its "hopper"...STILL no result.

 

[leadman]

I work in smelters/refineries that use the chemicals that cause their machines to go ballistic, so i try to limit "exposure" if I'm only there for a day or two, because many trips ago I sent their old machine off. Long story but after questioning, missed my flight and business. Rule number one is I leave the work clothes behind so effectively I have work clothes, boots, et al., scattered across the world! Thankfully i get good steel capped boots at Big W for a reasonable price!

 

[dajop]

When we last went through Melbourne, hubby, as always, was pulled up for a swab test but first they told him that the white paper tester thingy was used on 3 people before replacing.

In a number of airports in China, as you enter the airport (from the street), they put you into a holding area and swab everyone in that holding area and then you wait for results before allowing you to enter the airport. Presumably if they have a positive detect they will then go through and swab each person with individual swabs.

 

[kermatu]

I’m selected for a swab maybe 50 per cent of the time (although less in Canberra as I suspect they know me). Always breeze through it and have never seen anyone pulled up. Will be a bit more anxious now!

Actually never quite understood why there is a random secondary test. If it is to detect something that could endanger people on a flight, why isn’t it mandatory for all pax? Or is it aimed at something else?

 

[opusman]

Or is it aimed at something else?

Security theatre.

 

[OzEire]

Selected "randomly" for explosives testing (as happens to me 80% of the time) at CBR when I was cutting it fine for a VA sector to MEL.

First test positive so we started a long series of retesting. From the CBR security entry I could watch my flight board and close. My name was called over the PA twice and I mentioned this to security, knowing it would make no difference (it didn't).

The full process involved reading a laminated disclaimer, retesting me, the machine, the security officer (she herself needed to be tested by a supervisor) and finally me again with a clear result. In the end I was told I could go... that's it, not "sorry we delayed you for no reason", no "sorry you missed your flight."

 

[Lemon_Party]

My brother failed the test at BNE international a few years back. He was held in a holding room while his checked luggage was found and then searched. He was quite scared he might miss his flight...

Never was sure what the issue could be - best guess was golf and potentially fertiliser on his clothes from that somehow...

 

[JohnK]

I try to avoid the explosives test like the plague but managed to get "randomly" chosen twice within an hour in SYD T3 and T2 yesterday.

 

[mrsterryn]

At LAX back in July I was pulled aside for secondary checking. Apparently i triggered something
They asked if they could open my bag me "yep sure go for it
Swabbed my bag and the result came back positive.
Me pondering out loud ' are you looking for drugs?' No came the very cranky response.
About 5 mins they asked me to open a big can of seasoning. Ok open...and they test.
Apparently fine.
So that was quite confusing for the tester who then explained she was looking for explosives.
It took about 10 mins for a supervisor to come over , view results and advise me free to go.
Not sure if their testing was super sensitive but there was a lot of people pulled over that day

 

[robtemt]

I don't think I've ever been stopped for the swab (touching every piece of wood I can find right now), but my partner somehow manages to get "Randomly" selected EVERY TIME!

I watched him last time, as he does take ages to rearrange bags etc, and I could see him trying to keep busy, while looking at security, trying to time when they would get someone else, and I watched security watch him, and they let about 15+ people walk past before my partner gave in and started moving, and of course......... "excuse me sir......." I told him he was looking shifty and suspicious and they picked him based on his body language, eye contact avoidance, etc, but he insisted he's racially profiled (Aussie born Chinese!!!)

I'll take a swab test over seeing those 4 letters we must not mention being printed on my boarding pass though!

 

[mrsterryn]

Husband usually gets select for random swab and son does get those 4 letters.
Very frustrating when mum travels with him

 

[UP4014]

Some airports now have an indicator on the walk through metal detector on who should be checked. I guess it's to take any bias from the swabber out of it.

But it's normally not hard to avoid, just slow down collecting my things from the x ray tray and plenty of people rushing to try and pass me. I pick my things up and just wander off while they have their arms in the air.

I did have an experience in Australia, I can't recall which airport, maybe Townsville or Brisbane. I was stopped for an explosives test and after being wiped down the security guard asked me to wait and he disappeared into a room off to the side with his wand and left me standing there alone. If I did have a bomb I could have just walk off. Perhaps something more important came up like smoko.

Matt

 

[Flying Fox]

I've always been concerned about filling up petrol for my hire car and then getting selected for this test. Wondered if I had splashed any petrol, would I be given a second inspection?

 

[SFSC]

I had a positive test in August 2013 when returning from the SIN lounge crawl. My experience was described in post #323 in the thread SIN lounge crawl 24 Aug 2013 at the time so I won't repeat it here.