AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki

Ann Davis, public affairs manager of Transportation Security Administration, goes through an Explosives Detection Trace Portal machine during a demonstration at the Logan International Airport in Boston, Monday, April 25, 2005. The TSA announced Monday it

The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has
installed the GE EntryScan3 walk-through explosives detector to screen
passengers at Boston Logan Airport's Terminal A security checkpoint.

The GE EntryScan3, which is popularly known as the "Puffer Machine," has
already been deployed to dozens of high-risk facilities worldwide to
help detect explosives. Later this spring, GE will introduce its
ShoeScanner, which will enable travelers to keep their shoes on during
security screening but check footwear for dangerous substances.

In March, the TSA announced that it would also purchase nine GE
EntryScan3 machines for use in U.S. airports. TSA has allocated $28.3
million to purchase and install an additional 147 trace portals. TSA is
currently developing a purchase and deployment plan to have the
equipment in airports by January 2006.

Currently GE EntryScan3 trace portals are installed at passenger
security checkpoints at airports in Boston, Mass.; Miami, Fla.; San
Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Providence, R.I.; Rochester, N.Y.;
San Diego, Calif.; Tampa, Fla.; and Gulfport, Miss. An installation in
Los Angeles International Airport is expected before the end of May.

The GE EntryScan3 detects microscopic traces of explosives and
identifies potential threats to security screeners. Passengers stand in
the trace portal for a few seconds while several "puffs" of air are
released. The EntryScan3 then analyzes the air for traces of explosives
and a computerized voice will tell the passenger when to exit.