Topic: Magnetometers

AMC Theaters has begun playing pre-movie security videos instructing audiences on emergency exits and active shooter protocols. The discussion critiques the "man on the street" interviews supporting these measures and suggests the security theater is a ploy to sell magnetometers. Statistical analysis suggests the actual risk of a theater shooting is roughly one in 60 million.

DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson appeared at a Wilson Center event hosted by Jane Harman to discuss security preparations for the Super Bowl. Johnson detailed the "marvelous partnership" between federal and local law enforcement, including the use of magnetometers and vehicle screenings. The hosts criticize the focus on "Inflategate" and the general militarization of sporting events, noting that the security measures often feel like theater.

Senator Dianne Feinstein describes the threat of ISIL and AQAP, specifically mentioning a bomb that can pass through magnetometers. She uses graphic imagery of a deceased child in a gingham dress to emphasize the brutality of the group, a tactic the hosts identify as "fear porn."

Curry details his experience navigating security at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, where he requested a manual opt-out from the body scanners. He describes a brief confrontation with a security officer before being allowed to bypass the magnetometer entirely for a pat-down. The hosts criticize the "security theater" of airport protocols, noting that his bag full of electronics was barely scrutinized.

An experience at the JetBlue terminal in New York highlights the inconsistencies of the TSA PreCheck and Trusted Traveler programs. Despite carrying a bag filled with suspicious-looking electronics and microphones, the security process was described as a "pre-9/11 experience" where belts and boots remained on. The interaction with TSA agents suggests that the rigorous screening processes are often bypassed for those in the trusted traveler line, reinforcing the concept of security theater.

The TSA is expanding its Pre-Check program to include all members of the U.S. military, the National Guard, and Department of Defense civilians. John C. Dvorak describes his experience with the "randomizer" at airport security, where passengers are arbitrarily assigned to either the standard or expedited screening lines. The hosts mock the inconsistent rules regarding footwear and electronics at different checkpoints.

Observations on new TSA PreCheck procedures include the use of purple flashlights on boarding passes and the ability to leave shoes and laptops in bags. One host reports a conversation with a supervisor claiming Southwest Airlines offers a version of expedited screening for an $85 fee.

Experts suggest the Nairobi attack will lead to increased security measures at American shopping malls, including lockdown drills and scanners. Simultaneously, the Oakland A's are instituting a full security ring with magnetometers at the Alameda County Coliseum. The hosts argue these measures are unnecessary "slave training" designed to sell security equipment rather than prevent actual threats.

Adam Curry recounts his recent travel experiences through Schiphol Airport and Nice, noting the lack of full-body scanners and the ability to keep shoes on during screening. He contrasts the relaxed European security with the strict TSA protocols in the United States. Curry highlights the absurdity of being allowed through with a bag full of wires and circuit boards while families are stopped for toy guns or shampoo.

Reports indicate a TSA agent was caught stealing cameras and electronics from checked luggage over several years at a New Jersey airport. The discussion covers "Blogger Bob" of the TSA denying that valet car searches are standard procedure despite local reports. One traveler shares a successful "opt-out" tactic at security by claiming an inability to lift arms, resulting in being waved through a deactivated magnetometer.

A "hypothetical" travel tip suggests that telling TSA agents about a dislocated shoulder can allow a traveler to bypass the full-body scanner in favor of a standard magnetometer. The anecdote describes how agents in Oakland and Las Vegas were sympathetic to the injury, significantly speeding up the security process. The hosts discuss the efficiency of this method for navigating "Gestapo checkpoints."

Listeners and former DHS Undersecretary Michael Brown shared a tactic to avoid full-body "slave scanners" by claiming a medical inability to raise one's arms. This typically results in the passenger being directed through a standard magnetometer instead of receiving a pat-down. Brown confirmed via email that this method is effective, though he anticipates the TSA may eventually require medical certificates to close the loophole.

An anonymous TSA employee provides a tip for travelers to avoid Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) body scanners by claiming an inability to lift their arms over their head. According to the email, this medical claim forces agents to use a standard metal detector instead of a full-body pat-down. The source also criticizes the TSA Pre-Check system as a "sham" that potentially makes vetted citizens targets for kidnapping.

A detailed account of a TSA pat-down at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport describes the process as a "body massage" with "valet service" for carry-on items. The speaker advocates for choosing the pat-down over the body scanner, noting it only adds a few minutes to the security process. Additionally, an anecdote from Austin Bergstrom Airport suggests that travelers can often use the premium security line with a coach ticket simply by acting with confidence.

The hosts discuss a theory that certain airport security entrances, such as those in Seattle and Oakland, still use magnetometers instead of full-body scanners. They propose creating a "No Agenda Wiki" to crowdsource a database of these "insider" security lines to help listeners avoid invasive screenings.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano discussed the use of "indicia" and behavioral indicators as a multi-layered approach to aviation safety. The analysis questions the effectiveness of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) body scanners, noting that some major airports like LAX and Seattle have reverted to using standard magnetometers. The terminology used by Napolitano is mocked for being overly pretentious.

A travel anecdote details the staffing shortages at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where a lack of baggage checkers caused significant delays. The host compares the security protocols at Oakland, where magnetometers are still used in certain lanes, to the "electrocution machines" (body scanners) used elsewhere. A tip is shared regarding using the first-class security line to save time, regardless of ticket status.

A traveler describes successfully evading a full-body x-ray scanner at a US airport by walking through a standard magnetometer while a TSA agent was distracted. The anecdote highlights perceived inconsistencies in security enforcement, noting that international airports in Brazil and New York often lack the advanced scanning technology used in other hubs.

An anecdotal account of opting out of a TSA full-body scanner at a Seattle airport describes a confusing security protocol. The traveler was directed through a side gate rather than a magnetometer before receiving a pat-down, leading to questions about the logic and consistency of TSA procedures.

John C. Dvorak reports that during a recent trip through San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the naked body scanners had been completely removed. Only standard magnetometers were in use, despite SFO being one of the first airports to implement the advanced imaging technology. The hosts question why the "imminent threat" level has seemingly dropped at this specific location.