Pegontheroad

Twice I've tested positive for explosive residue--once in Spokane and once in Frankfurt. If you're running at all late, this can hold you up.

In Spokane I was told that it was probably from glycerin in cosmetics. Glycerin, nitro glycerin...get it?

It was really inconvenient in Frankfurt because I was running late and Security did a VERY thorough job of inspecting my stuff, including my Systane Eye Drops for dry eyes, and my kindle. I had to open my kindle and turn it on in order to show the folks that it wasn't anything suspicious.

I don't travel with a lot of cosmetics, but today I did read the lists of ingredients on my lotions. I did find glycerin listed on a sample shampoo and a sample body lotion. I had partially used both and then stuck them into my case. The brand was "Peter Thomas Roth," made in Greece and distributed in the U.K.

I probably got them one of the times I stayed at a Hilton in Dresden. I'll use them up and check the labels of anything else I bring.

So if you're tested positive for explosive residue, you might check the list of ingredients on your lotions, shampoos, etc.

PalenQ

Hope you don't end up on the terrorist watch list!

Cowboy1968

You may also want to avoid the fertilizer for your lawn, plants or vegetables when it contains nitrates.

Macross

Heart meds like nitro glycerin will cause the etd machine to alarm plus sometimes the machine has not been cleaned well enough. They have to run test swabs periodically and sometimes don't get a clear and then swab hands of pax's. Alarm happens. What a pain. Did you have to have a pat down?

NewbE

This happened to me once, and the screener said that if I set my bag down on the ground in the parking garage or at the curb, which I had, it could have picked something up that set off the machine. He said it happens all the time, so I'm not sure it can be avoided.

Definitely a pain to have it happen when you're already running late!

sparkchaser

It's happened a few times to me before. I know I did nothing wrong so I get to act indignant.

Pegontheroad

The first time, I just acted astonished. Because I was!

Macross

I use to escort the Siemens tech around so learned a bit about them. Give me a dog. Much better at detection.

bakerstreet

This happened to a friend who played golf on his last day of a trip and didn't shower or change clothes before going to the airport. The fertilizer on the golf course got onto him, and the result was he missed his plane. He won't golf anymore on an airplane travel day unless he'll have time to shower and change before flying.

sassy27

This happened to a friend years ago coming home from Greece. I was with her and the machine they used went off. She went in front of me so I didn't get tested by the same machine. It was early in the morning so probably just turned on for the day. They called a bomb sniffing dog over and the dog found nothing. After what seemed like hours, we were so afraid we would have to leave her behind, the agents finally turned the machine off and on to find it was broke. We knew she didn't do anything wrong and you'd think they would have tried the turn off and on approach first.

I've had my hands swabbed a few times. I think that was just routine though.

NewbE

The agents' reaction is so frustratingly unpredictable! I know, that's part of the point of the exercise, but sheesh, hours to determine if the test was correct and also significant? My agent did a thorough check of me and my stuff, asked a couple of questions, and I was on my way in less than 10 minutes.

Michael

I always ask for the pat down if required to go otherwise through the full x-ray machine, and at one airport I never passed the test. I failed at the security gate, I failed it in the private room (same search, nothing more intensive), and again when the supervisor patted me down; their gloves kept on testing positive. Eventually they let me go, but it did take about 45 minutes for the entire process.

KTtravel

Peg, you simply must stop playing with explosives (ha!)

sparkchaser

Eventually they let me go, but it did take about 45 minutes for the entire process.

They had to delay you while they located and searched your checked luggage (if you had any)

DebbieDoesDulles

PowderKegontheroad

sparkchaser

Hehehe

suze

Yes a few times I got that hand swab deal. I didn't really think about it at the time. But now that I do (think about it that is) I have no idea what it was that would cause suspicion.

sparkchaser

If this ever happens to you, try and blame it on the firecracker chicken or gunpowder tea you had earlier.

NewbE

Don't forget about Bang Bang Shrimp.

Good thing I avoid golf and gardening on principle.