Heading through airport security can be awkward at the best of times — but one traveler says poor timing made his experience unforgettable. In a Reddit post, the 26-year-old explained that after saying goodbye to his long-distance girlfriend, he walked through a U.S. airport scanner while still visibly “excited,” triggering an alert on the machine.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (Transportation Security Administration), modern body scanners no longer produce detailed body images. Instead, they display a generic outline and flag areas that may require additional screening. If something unusual is detected — whether it’s an item in a pocket or natural body variation — officers conduct a standard pat-down to resolve the alarm.
The traveler said a red circle appeared on the screen, leading to secondary screening and significant embarrassment. Security staff ultimately cleared him to continue.
Experts note that millimeter-wave scanners are designed for safety, not exposure, and false alarms can happen. The lesson? Give yourself a moment to compose before stepping into the scanner.
