If you’ve ever been unexpectedly pulled aside at airport security and wondered what set off the scanner, it might not be your belt buckle or forgotten lip balm—it could be your sweaty crotch.
Yes, in what is perhaps the most undignified travel delay of the decade, passengers are reporting being flagged by full-body scanners due to excess moisture in, well, intimate areas.
Security staff at some international airports say hot weather, synthetic fabrics, and stress-induced perspiration are combining to confuse scanners, triggering what’s affectionately being dubbed “the summer surprise”.
One seasoned flyer described how, after sprinting through a humid terminal to make his flight, he was stopped for a pat-down due to what the scanner identified as an “anomaly in the groin region”. It turned out the only thing he was carrying was sweat.
While mildly amusing, the incident is a reminder that air travel remains a curious mix of old discomforts and new technologies—and not all of them are working in perfect harmony just yet.
Which brings us to the far more high-tech side of airport security: the slow but promising rollout of Smiths Detection’s next-generation CT scanners.
These advanced machines, already installed at several major Australian, US and UK airports, allow travellers to leave laptops, tablets, and even small bottles of liquid in their bags. The scanners generate detailed 3D images, enabling security staff to rotate and zoom in on bags without requiring travellers to unpack.
In short: less faffing, less bin-juggling, and a smoother experience for everyone.
But there’s a catch. While some airports are embracing the technology, many international terminals are only now beginning to trial it. Some budget-conscious airports are holding off altogether, citing cost and training delays.
So, while your carry-on might one day breeze through untouched, for now you’re likely to face a mix of high-tech efficiency and good old-fashioned awkwardness—especially if it’s a hot day and you’ve overdone it on the polyester.
In the meantime, pack a little patience and a healthy sense of humour—because whether it’s a sweaty waistband or a rogue bottle of moisturiser, airport security has a knack for keeping us all grounded.
