How to Pass Through Airport Security without Looking like a Terrorist

How to Pass Through Airport Security without Looking like a Terrorist

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Mar 30, 2015

The TSA has a definitively generic guide and checklist for spotting terrorists lurking around the airport. In fact, just about anyone boarding any flight at any given time could be considered a terrorist.

Have you ever yawned while standing in line at airport security? Well, depending on how you yawn, you could be identified as a terrorist.

Ever whistle in an airport to help pass the time? Be careful what tune, you could be an evil doer.

Do you excessively fidget, sweat or touch your face because you’re scared of flying? You could be up to no good.

Hey men, have you recently shaved? Congrats! You would earn one point on the checklist as the recent shaving of a beard could indicate that you’re a terrorist.

What about when someone at the airport annoys you and you give them a “cold, penetrating stare?” Ooooppsss, you could be a terrorist!

Known as SPOT (Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques), TSA agents use this 92-point checklist to tally up every traveler’s total “suspicious behavior” score, and based on this number, decide if a law enforcement officer needs to be alerted. This checklist is designed to be a catch-all, giving TSA the freedom to identify anyone as a potential threat to passenger safety.

TSA did note that they use plenty of other criteria and methods when attempting to weed out the dangerous flyers from the other passengers, including studying Adam’s Apples (the lump typically found in some people's throats) for clues.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

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