Transiting at Doha experience

[reader]

Recently connected through Doha on Qatar. Upon arrival all connecting passengers proceed to baggage inspection which was fairly quick and efficient before be allowed into departure terminal. You will have bags rechecked before entering your departure gate area. However, I was surprised about the attention afforded my tablet. I was instructed to remove it from the protective case. An agent then quickly placed a card against the back of iPad and then scanned the card into a reader. It all took less than 30 seconds but it was a first in my experience. I can only assume they were electronically reading the serial number on the back of my device. Have no idea if this was US or local requirement. When I collected items from the bin, I had task of reuniting iPad with cover.

[BjornAgain]

Can't see how placing a card to log the Serial Number then inserting it into a machine would work. Plus in the scale of things, Airport Security have no jurisdiction when it comes to stolen goods.

Are you sure they weren't carrying out a swab test, ie looking for traces of explosives or in some countries drugs as well?

 

[omega]

21 hours ago, BjornAgain said:

Can't see how placing a card to log the Serial Number then inserting it into a machine would work. Plus in the scale of things, Airport Security have no jurisdiction when it comes to stolen goods.

Are you sure they weren't carrying out a swab test, ie looking for traces of explosives or in some countries drugs as well?

 

The swab test is more likely to be what happened.

 

[reader]

Thanks for bringing that up. Very possible. Last time I had that done was about five years ago when arriving in US airport. They did my hands and straps of my carry on bag. What puzzled me is that they swabbed the side of the tablet that was protected by the cover.

[BjornAgain]

You must have a trust worthy face.

Got pulled over leaving Dubai a number of years ago, hands and rucksack came up positive on a random swabs test. Escorted into a back room for questioning. Luckily had photos of that morning activities at the Jebel Ali Shooting Club where I had been on the indoor range as well as the Skeet trap. Despite washing my hands they would probably be positive for the next week. Luckily the Security guys had a laugh.

Having said that, quite often get swabbed, Sydney in March, HK last October. Think I have an unlucky face, or a known profile!

[vinapu]

4 hours ago, BjornAgain said:

Think I have an unlucky face, or a known profile!

both

[floridarob]

5 hours ago, reader said:

They did my hands

They were probably shocked by the amount of other people's DNA that registered.... thank goodness there wasn't a throat swab 🙈

[reader]

8 hours ago, floridarob said:

They were probably shocked by the amount of other people's DNA that registered.... thank goodness there wasn't a throat swab 🙈

Fame at last.