On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 02:25:14 GMT, "PTRAVEL" wrote:
This happened within the last year, at either a USA or European airport.
I'm
sorry I don't remember which, as I have done a fair amount of flying in
the
last year.

You were stopped at the gate and asked to turn on your laptop?

Nope. I was walking by someone with a laptop, who was asked by the security
guard to boot it up, and the security guard told him that he was going to
insert the device which would check for something. I didn't hear exactly what
he said.

Sorry, but I
don't believe it was in the US -- random gate checks are all but eliminated
here.

It was either here in the US or in Europe. I don't know if it was random or
not. Maybe that guy was the only person around me who was carrying a laptop,
and perhaps they were asking everyone with a laptop to boot up and have the
device inserted? Anyways, you're either being naive or trollish if you don't
think that they're willing to try out new security technologies. Have you
ever been to an airport and stood in one of those air-puff blowing portals?
No? That's because TSA has just started testing the devices in a few airports
recently. From
http://www.adelmantravel.com/index_news_past.asp?Date=062204:

"Testing of a new explosives trace detection portal is underway at security
checkpoints at T.F. Green State Airport, south of Providence, R.I. Passengers
who enter a checkpoint lane with a trace portal machine will proceed through
the walk-through metal detector, while X-ray machines screen their carry-on
bags. Travelers will then be asked to step into the trace portal. They will
need to stand still for a few seconds while several "puffs" of air are
released. The portal will analyze the air for traces of explosives. A
computerized voice will tell passengers when to exit the portal. The procedure
may vary somewhat as testing is expanded to four other airports in July. Those
airports include Greater Rochester (N.Y.) Int'l, San Diego Int'l, Lindbergh
Field Tampa, and Gulfport-Biloxi Int'l. Tests will be conducted for 30 to 45
days at each airport."


And I certainly don't believe anyone stuck a USB drive into your computer.
That was never done in the US.

I didn't pay enough attention to see where it was inserted. USB was only a
guess. It could have been into a different port.