What the heck?

hey hey Janet
LOL LOL who know this??
"little old lady" randomly selected, how special you are,
aloha

Phones can be used as detonaters. I get "randomly selected" every time I go through Kennedy even though I am a "trusted traveler"-I have no idea why-but they've never looked at my phone. And my carryon was opened once because of the Rick Steves guidebook-they said something about large books possibly being a security threat.

Did they just swab it with a small piece of cloth? Then yes, they are checking for explosive residue, no biggie.

When you get “selected” they usually swab everything you have, ie. Phone, iPad and Computer. Very common.

When you get “selected” they usually swab everything you have, ie. Phone, iPad and Computer. Very common.

This happened to my wife at LHR: they swabbed her bags, her electronics, everything -- over and over and over. Finally, they concluded there was something wrong with their equipment and sent us on our way.

A bit nerve-wracking, given we were trying to make a connection.

-- Mike Beebe

A couple of months ago at SFO, they pulled me after I walked thru and ran the small cloth over my palms and fingers. My phone, iPad, etc. were in my backpack going thru the machine.

They randomly choose people to conduct this type of investigation. It's happened to me a few times and they've said "random check."

When I say random....it's actually the machines that choose the people.

Also look for the SSSS on your boarding pass for that extra special search.

Our daughter gets randomly selected at AMS every time. The last time it was the two of us traveling and they searched her right after passport control, and then again at the gate. That one was pretty close to a complete strip search. They even had her take her socks and shoes off and were checking between her toes. Of course they didn't find a thing, but as a mom it unnerved me a bit. She is an adult, but still.

I used to fly with a certain type of protein bar that had a fudge type consistency. As it was in my carry on, it was always checked carefully. Turns out it has the consistency of C4 plastic explosives. I changed over to carrying granola bars instead.

I used to get selected for the random swabbing for explosives every couple of months when I was traveling frequently.

They swab things that hands have touched like the handle of your suitcase or in your case, your phone.

I had a very early morning flight out of a small regional airport in Idaho. I approached security, the agent took one look at me, and said I was being selected for secondary screening and needed to go into the private room adjoining the secure area. I wondered why I was being "targeted." When we got to the door of the room, she smiled and said, "Go ahead and go in and put your shirt right side out, you must have been sleepy this morning."
I gratefully complied laughing at myself and thankful for this kind TSA agent.

Oh Carol...that is hilarious! And very kind!

On a related note, many hand creams and lotions contain glycerin which might raise concerns about one possibly having handled explosives. Had it happen once at airport in Bristol and very nice English lady swabbed all our carry on and personal bags. Haven't used hand cream before a flight since, and haven't been swabbed again.

Carol that is absolutely hysterical ! thanks for sharing

We fly a lot, about 5 times a year. I have been selected frequently for the random security search. Once, I was selected three times in a row.

I am retired from Federal Service, retiring from DHS, which is ironic. The extra searches don't usually take long, but once I had to flight to catch and almost missed it.

Thanks so much, everyone, for your explanations and reassurances. And to Carol for the smile!

How funny, Janet, I went through security in Sarasota yesterday and got randomly flagged for the exact same thing. I'm not little and I'm more middle aged than old, but you couldn't find a much less likely candidate for explosives residue.

Carol, thanks for the laugh! Which means your hotel desk clerk, taxi, etc. just let you go without saying anything. ; )

Oh Carol, that is too funny!

Carol, thanks for sharing your experience. We needed a post with a chuckle.