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Forum Ferreting: Puff Daddy Machines

Online travel forums are filled with gems, if you have the time to dig for them. Luckily we do the dirrty work for you in our somewhat regular Forum Ferreting feature.

By Spring 2006, there will be new security screeners at all the busiest U.S. airports. Called "puffer" machines, they puff air onto a person that dislodges tiny particles from skin and clothing. Then the machines analyze the results for traces of explosives. Hence, the Puff Daddy machine nickname.

Judging from the Puff Daddy threads, they are kinda like getting a full body glaucoma test.

Here are some early reports of Puff Daddy protocol at select airports, which still needs to be worked out:

·TSA gent at the puff and go and he said leave everything on - shoes, sweaters, etc. Went through with no problems but now if they will only leave it that way

·Went through Charlotte (CLT) yesterday. TSA was giving people two choices, either go through the normal line (remove shoes coat etc) or go through the "Puff Daddy" line and only remove metal. Could keep shoes, coats on. I selected the "Puff Daddy" line. I timed "Puff Daddy" at ~30 secs from entry to exit.

·At EWR, the "puff" line requires the same disrobing and shoe removal as the regular line. Not only is there no time saving, it ends up taking longer and the line for the machine backs up as people are fumbling for their shoes, belts, etc.

Related Stories:
· Travel Forum Ferreting [Jaunted]
· TSA announces influx of puffer machines at airports [CNN]