Screening and Pat-Down Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real TSO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Screening and Pat-Down Procedures flashcards as text
An officer is conducting a pat-down when the passenger states they have a medical condition affecting their abdomen. What should the TSO do?
Answer: Acknowledge the condition, adjust technique if appropriate, and use ETD swabbing as an alternative if needed
Officers should acknowledge medical conditions, adapt screening techniques appropriately, and use ETD swabbing as an alternative when direct contact is problematic.
What is the required TSO action when explosive trace detection (ETD) from a pat-down glove swab returns an alarm?
Answer: Conduct additional screening and notify a supervisor per alarm resolution protocols
An ETD alarm requires additional screening steps and supervisor notification in accordance with alarm resolution protocols.
During a pat-down, what should the TSO do with their hands when transitioning between body regions?
Answer: Briefly lift hands away between regions and announce the next area being checked
Officers should lift hands and announce what area they will check next before transitioning, ensuring transparency and passenger awareness.
A passenger wearing a back brace alarms both the WTMD and AIT. The best screening approach is:
Answer: Pat down over the brace, swab it with ETD, and conduct visual inspection if appropriate
Medical braces that alarm should be screened via pat-down over the device, ETD swabbing, and visual inspection as appropriate.
How does a TSA officer confirm that a pat-down has been completed correctly?
Answer: By verifying all designated body regions were screened per SOP and the alarm was resolved
Completion is confirmed when all required body regions per SOP have been systematically screened and any alarm triggering the pat-down has been resolved.
Which of the following best describes TSA's use of the 'tell, show, ask' model during pat-downs?
Answer: Tell the passenger what you will do, show the technique on yourself if needed, ask for their cooperation
The 'tell, show, ask' model involves informing the passenger of the procedure, demonstrating the technique if helpful, and requesting their cooperation.
A TSO is patting down a passenger and feels an item that could be a prohibited item but could also be a medical device. What is the appropriate next step?
Answer: Ask the passenger what the item is and, if not resolved, conduct additional screening per protocols
Officers should ask the passenger about the item and, if the explanation does not resolve the concern, escalate to additional screening per standard protocols.