What is TSA looking for?

TSA uses millimeter wave advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detectors to screen passengers. Millimeter wave advanced imaging technology safely screens passengers without physical contact for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons and explosives, which may be concealed under clothing.



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Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners at airports check passengers and personal items for dangerous items such as weapons, chemicals and liquids that are not allowed as carry-on items.

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One of the most common reasons you will get a pat down is if you refuse to go through the walk-through metal detector or the full body scanner. For some people going through a metal detector is not an option, while others just may prefer to not go through these.

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In Standard Screening Lane
  1. Remove the 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin.
  2. Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on).
  3. Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.


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Pat-Down Screening A pat-down may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes head coverings and sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and the buttocks.

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Why Does the TSA Swab Hands? The Transportation Security Administration randomly swabs passengers' hands at security checkpoints and airport gates to test them for traces of explosives. The TSA swabs are analyzed for nitroglycerin, nitrates, glycerin, or other chemicals.

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Various nitrates are often used in the making of explosives (e.g., trinitrotoluene, a.k.a. TNT) and they're checking to see if you've been handling any recently. I find it interesting that they were checking hands—perhaps that's more accurate than some of the other sampling sites they've used in the past.

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Can you see a tampon during an airport body scan? This is a frequently asked question on Google, and if it's something you're worried about, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Airport body scanners can't see inside the body and therefore can't detect a tampon on a TSA female body scan image.

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Technically, modern Millimeter-Wave and Backscatter airport security scanners do not detect drugs.

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As a quick answer: Yes, most airport scanners will detect pills inside your bag and it doesn't matter if they are in a plastic or a metal container, and it is really helpful to travel with your pills in their original prescription bottles even though it is not obligatory or recommended by the TSA.

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Total shoulder, hip, and knee replacement implants are composed of cobalt-chromium alloys or titanium and are most likely to be detected. Meanwhile, stainless-steel plates, screws, intramedullary nails, wires, and screws are the least likely implants to be detected.

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In the U.S. full-body scanners have been installed at train stations, subways, penitentiaries and airports. After having previously used X-ray-based scanners the TSA currently uses Millimeter Wave AIT scanners exclusively, which show no identifying characteristics of the person being scanned.

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Any biological material, including weed, look orange on an airport scanner. The contents in your bag will appear orange, blue, or green depending on the energy that travels through the airport scanner.

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Conclusion: Why do I set off airport body scanners groin? Airport body scanners in the groin area often detect metal in the form of piercings, implants, or joint replacements. However, metal can cause anomalies within the body, which could trigger the scanner and result in a false positive result.

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All Standard Pat-down searches must be conducted by a TSO of the same gender. An individual's gender is what he or she purports himself or herself to be.

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The questions on the CBT test for TSA are not difficult. However, only around 30% of applicants pass. This is usually due to unfamiliarity with the image recognition task or failure to read and understand the test instructions. To stand the best chance of success, preparation is vital.

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Generally, an interview calls for you to wear professional attire. That said, a TSA PreCheck interview is pretty informal, so you can likely get away with dressing casually.

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After you send your carry-on and personal items through the scanner, inform the TSA officer that you have a metal implant. Opt to go through the body scanner. Alternatively, you may choose a pat-down. Be patient if the TSA officer asks to use a wand around your artificial joint (Healio).

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