I've had this happen to me before as well, but in Australia, and the similarities and differences are interesting.
I set off the explosive scanner for TNT when flying to see my family at Christmas (and was told straight away what I was found positive for). Was immediately taken into another room with my carry-on, and had my checked-in luggage located and brought in as well.
A lot of things were very similar - I had the full pat down, the numerous questions, and everything was looked over. However they did it all just once. They took everything out of my bag and it was full of Christmas presents, which they then wanted to open, but I persuaded them to put them through the X-ray scanner still wrapped.
I also had a 'guard' watching over me and making sure I didn't leave, and multiple people coming in to ask me questions and verify my answers.
In the end they were able to X-ray all my stuff to their satisfaction, re-checked my bag, and I was was on my way in about 20-30 minutes.
They never did figure out why I set it off btw, and it's never happened again. Very strange.
The thing that sticks out to me from the experience, was how on alert everyone got once the explosive detector went off. Suddenly everyone was _very_ uneasy and wary of me, especially when it came up positive a second time.
So although I think the recent incident was poorly handled, I do understand to some extent the measures in place - i.e. being taken away to another room to be checked, having all their stuff looked over, etc.
And although it seems nuts they didn't let him leave, if he did show positive for explosives then what else should they have done? It's a difficult problem - surely they are compelled to investigate him if that happens?
Does anyone know if it would even be legal to search his place while he was away btw? Surely not, since he checked out and they were happy to let him go.
And how ridiculous Jet Blue denied him boarding (and yet were happy to let him board the next day!)
I set off the explosive scanner for TNT when flying to see my family at Christmas (and was told straight away what I was found positive for). Was immediately taken into another room with my carry-on, and had my checked-in luggage located and brought in as well.
A lot of things were very similar - I had the full pat down, the numerous questions, and everything was looked over. However they did it all just once. They took everything out of my bag and it was full of Christmas presents, which they then wanted to open, but I persuaded them to put them through the X-ray scanner still wrapped.
I also had a 'guard' watching over me and making sure I didn't leave, and multiple people coming in to ask me questions and verify my answers.
In the end they were able to X-ray all my stuff to their satisfaction, re-checked my bag, and I was was on my way in about 20-30 minutes.
They never did figure out why I set it off btw, and it's never happened again. Very strange.
The thing that sticks out to me from the experience, was how on alert everyone got once the explosive detector went off. Suddenly everyone was _very_ uneasy and wary of me, especially when it came up positive a second time.
So although I think the recent incident was poorly handled, I do understand to some extent the measures in place - i.e. being taken away to another room to be checked, having all their stuff looked over, etc.
And although it seems nuts they didn't let him leave, if he did show positive for explosives then what else should they have done? It's a difficult problem - surely they are compelled to investigate him if that happens?
Does anyone know if it would even be legal to search his place while he was away btw? Surely not, since he checked out and they were happy to let him go.
And how ridiculous Jet Blue denied him boarding (and yet were happy to let him board the next day!)