What's been your experience dealing with the puffers now being installed? I recently saw one at FLL, terminal 4, and the line waiting to go through it was awful. It seemed to take a really long time for some reason. They were sending some pax through the ordinary screening lines and selecting some for the puffer. Needless to say, no one selected was very happy, and there was a lot of confusion at the machine. Just seemed kind of intimidating...........

I've been through the Ionscan Sentinel and the GE EntryScan models. Both took about 10-15 seconds and it was a fine experience. I was spared the Shoe Carnival for doing so.

In my opinion, it actually does contribute something to security, unlike any aspect of the Shoe Carnival besides the ETD swab.

More of these machines + fewer screeners (or better yet fewer non-federalized screeners) would make for a much better airport security experience. ^

two weeks ago, I was directed through the puffer at IAD. Huge improvement in my view. Last week, I tried to slide over to the puffer line, but couldn't get there. Had to take off topcoat, suit coat, shoes, . . . you know the drill. Saw a couple of young children go through, they did not mind and the line was appreciably faster than the regular WTMD lines.

So I set off the one at the AA terminal at SFO a couple of weeks ago. I was especially pleased, since I had been through the same machine not 10 minutes before, and had gone no further than the mailbox on the sidewalk in front of check-in. :rolleyes: What's supposed to happen if I set it off? I guess they did the normal secondary, with a pat down, going through my stuff, etc.

I had the puffer machine experience at the Providence, R.I. airport early last month. Unfortunately, I flunked the test and I have no idea why. After they opened the doors of the machine to let me out, I was pat-down searched and questioned. They wanted to know if I had recently been around any guns, chemicals, or explosives (no to all three). They asked where I worked, took my driver's license, and called over a police officer, who (I assume) ran a warrant check on me. Before they gave me back my license, one of the guys appeared to write down information from it.

I wasn't offended by the experience, mostly due to the fact that the personnel involved were very polite and professional. However, now I'm worried that my name could be on some kind of list and that I might get tagged for extra screening every time I fly.

It would be interesting to know what the failure rate of these machines is.

I had the puffer machine experience at the Providence, R.I. airport early last month. Unfortunately, I flunked the test and I have no idea why. After they opened the doors of the machine to let me out, I was pat-down searched and questioned. They wanted to know if I had recently been around any guns, chemicals, or explosives (no to all three). They asked where I worked, took my driver's license, and called over a police officer, who (I assume) ran a warrant check on me. Before they gave me back my license, one of the guys appeared to write down information from it.

I wasn't offended by the experience, mostly due to the fact that the personnel involved were very polite and professional. However, now I'm worried that my name could be on some kind of list and that I might get tagged for extra screening every time I fly.

It would be interesting to know what the failure rate of these machines is.

Your experience is the slippery slope of any semblance of privacy. The TSA just nuked the Privacy Act. If you alarm the puffer, you are already assumed to have handled explosives. You are turned over to the cops, forced to reveal personal information, you have a check run on you, and are essentially "detained" by anyone's definition. ...and all because you dared to buy a plane ticket. Wow -- the TSA really upped the ante on us this time.

These seem to still be new. Hopefully they're just working out the false positives.