Mythical Magical Bomb Detection Device at Jinnah Terminal of Karachi Airport
I happened to pass by two Air Port Security Force check points at the departure ramp of Jinnah Terminal on January 8, 2012. At first check point, one official came to my car windows and asked questions. The other official with a hand held device started walking alongside the vehicle from front bumper toward the rear bumper. The device handle was made of brass and a telescopic antenna was sticking out in the direction of “explosive detection walk”. The antenna was pivoted in the brass handle. My keen eyes did not see any electrical wiring coming out of the device. It may have tiny batteries inside the brass handle.
The instant I saw the device, it reminded me a Karachi resident who used to find underground fresh water with two pieces of wooden sticks joined at the fore tips. The stick assembly would deflect downward if it found fresh water. He used to charge a hefty fee from potential investors who wanted to turn barren land into agriculture forms.
I assume the antenna would deflect toward the vehicle if detects a bomb or narcotics. I can also imagine the antenna would move differently had it detected a candidate for governmental impediments (I mean a petty bribe; To be fair with ASF, unlike the police I never saw or heard an Air Port Security Force official taking bribe). I happened to have an opiate Percocet in my luggage. But the antenna stayed straight.
When I told my destination was USA to the first questioning official, he at once shouted some code words to the next security-post, about thirty yards apart and asked me to move. The magic device walk routine was meticulously repeated at 2nd post with more rigorous questioning. So, avoid volunteering them the info that you are bound for Europe or USA or else you may miss your flight. I told them that my ticket and itinerary was an email stored in my smart phone. So they did not bother to look at my phone.
Does anyone familiar with this practice of deflecting bomb scanner? I have not seen this anywhere in world
