Handgun showing in X-ray today

[Groundhog]

I had a very interesting time at the security checkpoint at MEL (VA) this morning. While i was waiting for my bag to be screened i noticed that the tray behind mine contained a 9mm. I watched with great interest as the tray proceeded through as i wanted to see what was going to happen with security. When the tray appeared all that it contained was a mobile phone and car keys - NO GUN!. Thinking i was imagining things (security weren't too concerned) i proceeded through only to get selected for the explosives scan. I told that guard there that i could swear that i saw a piece in the X-ray machine - his answer - i did!!!!
He told me that from time to time the software that renders the X-ray image puts a fake gun in the screen. This is to make sure that the guards are viewing the screen and act appropriately. This helps to avoid complacency.
Just interested to know if anyone else has noticed this or something similar before

 

[Mal]

Have seen it written about before. But never seen it myself!

 

[kelvedon]

A frightening experience with a reassuring outcome!

 

[samh004]

I'll have to keep an eye on the screen more often now.

Almost seems like something on a list to cross off to become a FF.

 

[GladstoneTim]

Yep, seen it on the GLT screen. Apparently staff face consequences if overlooked.

 

[Ausbt]

Crazy! I always watch the monitor and am always interested in how the scanners will interpret the preponderance of wires in my bag. It shows up on the x-ray like spaghetti (I work in IT). Doesn't seem a drama. Circa 3 years ago I did at least 30 flights with a two-inch pocket knife (gift from my boss) - I'd just forgotten about it. It was never picked up - I found it while cleaning my bag.

 

[Mal]

Crazy! I always watch the monitor and am always interested in how the scanners will interpret the preponderance of wires in my bag. It shows up on the x-ray like spaghetti (I work in IT). Doesn't seem a drama. Circa 3 years ago I did at least 30 flights with a two-inch pocket knife (gift from my boss) - I'd just forgotten about it. It was never picked up - I found it while cleaning my bag.

A spaghetti of wires will usually trigger a (painful) bag search in UK airports. So I try to space them out now and not have them too clumped up.

 

[bryanjones]

Yep - a good trick by management to check whether the guys are really looking. Its an easy complacency check, and one used in most airports.

 

[kevrosmith]

Funny you mention this now.... Just tonight going through OOL security, I saw a huge knife on the screen in a bag... At first I thought it was my laptop bag, but soon realized it was the bag after mine. The thought going through my head was "oh great, hope I don't get caught up in whatever happens next..."! But then the image disappeared off the screen. Didn't think anything of it until I read this thread.

 

[LiamR]

Yes I've seen it from time to time. But why do they have to make it so obvious?

OT: Am I the only one who always likes looking at the X-ray screen to see what my gadgets look like on the inside?

 

[trooper]

Certainly sounds like a good system for keeping everyone alert......

I must say though that what impresses me most is that the OP could tell from an X-Ray that the pistol was a 9mm!

(As opposed to a 357 SIG or a 40 S&W or a 45 etc)


Sorry, this ol' target shooter couldn't resist!!! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[obrienja]

I was going through security in Perth (VA) on Sunday night and the security guy watching the screen said about my bag "it's got a knife in it" which was obviously one of the superimposed ones - it was tempting to say "that's not a knife..." but I didn't have time for a cavity search

 

[drewbles]

Yes I've seen it from time to time. But why do they have to make it so obvious?

OT: Am I the only one who always likes looking at the X-ray screen to see what my gadgets look like on the inside?

I've gone further. I've put things in my bags for the express purpose of seeing what they look like on the inside

Yes. I need to get a life!

 

[Boeta]

The X-ray software generates a variety of 'mock' images for the officers to pick up, from the already mentioned firearms to sharps and IED's.

Some are obvious and some are so hard to see that a 20-year veteran got pulled up the other day for not spotting it.

They also do actual tests where an 'actor' is planted with a suspect bag or even carrying an prohibited item on their person (to test the walk-through metal detector and response from the guard operating it).

 

[LiamR]

I've gone further. I've put things in my bags for the express purpose of seeing what they look like on the inside

Yes. I need to get a life!

Yes! Once I was going through security at OOL with my older toshiba and the security screener turned around and said to me "I think your fan is broken".

Next time I turned it made a blender like noise!

 

[Flying Fox]

Sounds like something that is done so that the 'new guy' gets a hazing!

So what is the x-ray operator supposed to do? Are they to get up off their seat and then check the trays?

 

[Simsy85]

Customs run test all the time, albeit with a willing participant - they plant a small amount of drugs on a person to see if they get through.

 

[Jurahn]

Sounds like something that is done so that the 'new guy' gets a hazing!

So what is the x-ray operator supposed to do? Are they to get up off their seat and then check the trays?

It's definitely a serious matter for those who work on the security screening. Doesn't matter how long you'd been in the job, they'd test EVERYONE from time to time - and it's certainly not a joke for those who miss picking up on the objects, especially if it happens more than once!

 

[Warks]

I'd heard about this a while ago and then a few days later I saw there was a hand grenade in my luggage! Luckily I already knew about the ghost images.

 

[vertisol]

Customs and Quarantine x-rays have the same training software on them (I work for one them...)