Flying

[arrogcow]

Left on vacation on Aug 5, flying out of Cincinnati. For the first time flying kilted, I got hasseled by the man (still no strip search, but the guy was definitely being a jerk just because he could - I'll elaborate only if asked and probably only in a PM, but I learned the hard way that books have to go through X-ray not in your pocket). However, I was in a Survival UK. Everything metalic was in one pocket, and dropped on the x-ray machine. Sure enough I dinged. Belt and shoes off, back through and nothing (what saved me from the strip search probably). Ultimate irony is that before the return trip, (in order to remove all liquid like materials), my wife and I went through all the diaper bags and found her Swiss Army knife that she hadn't seen in years. Yes a knife went straight through the x-ray and no one noticed.

Anyway return trip on the 15th (post new terrorist stupidness). Flying out of Scranton PA, same UK survival, just took off shoes and belt, walked straight through. BTW they confiscated my youngest's water filled teething ring, but didn't even check his bottle of milk.

Adam

[78_Celt]

my wife and I went through all the diaper bags and found her Swiss Army knife that she hadn't seen in years. Yes a knife went straight through the x-ray and no one noticed.

BTW they confiscated my youngest's water filled teething ring, but didn't even check his bottle of milk.

Wow! Sometimes you've just gotta wonder, don't you?!

[Freelander Sporrano]

Adam I suppose you just have to see the funny side

[Jerry]

Wow! Sometimes you've just gotta wonder, don't you?!

I read about an incident several months ago. A young female soldier was returning from a middleeast deployment with her unit. They were flying on a comercial airliner. Before boarding, they confiscated her Swiss army knife but allowed her to keep her M-16. I think those people need some training in everyday common sense.

[BonnieT100]

I read about an incident several months ago. A young female soldier was returning from a middleeast deployment with her unit. They were flying on a comercial airliner. Before boarding, they confiscated her Swiss army knife but allowed her to keep her M-16. I think those people need some training in everyday common sense.

That doesn't sound right. We can't carry a weapon on a non-charter commercial flight. If it was a charter flight - i.e. military personnel only, the carrier has no say of what goes onboard. Our flight had more knives per capita than you'd find at your average gun and knife show.

[bubba]

There are plenty of screw-ups in the screening every day. Part of the problem is poorly trained personel and sometimes people that should never be given any authority at all. To be fair, most of the screeners do pretty well at the job given the criteria change more often than people change socks. Considering the volume of passengers screened every day the process is more or less working but you'll continue to hear about absurdities occurring simply because the entire system is a cludge job from the beginning that leaves absolutely no room for situational judgement. The screeners get the blame primarily because they're the ones out front and visible to the public day after day.

[ronstew]

After the last time I got hassled by airport security, I came up with a policy. Next time I get unduly hassled, I am going to note the name of the security agent and write to the airline and airport, naming names and giving a full description of the event while I am in the waiting room or in flight. Maybe I'll get the bastige reprimanded, and maybe it will make somebody else's trip better.

However, I always fly in sweatpants and sweatshirt. My running shoes have no metal. I do everything I can to make the security as fast and painless as possible.

I love flying. I hate commercial air travel.

[ronstew]

The screeners get the blame primarily because they're the ones out front and visible to the public day after day.

The screeners who are jerks get the blame because they are jerks.

[macwilkin]

Folks,

This thread is riding the line -- please keep the discussion germane to kilts. We've already removed one thread about airport security in the last couple of weeks.

Thanks,

Todd

[davedove]

I do everything I can to make the security as fast and painless as possible.

That's my philosophy as well. Anything metal I put into my carry-on bag BEFORE going through security. That way, I don't even have to take the time to empty any pockets. So far, I haven't had any real problems (other than long lines at times. )

I did have an incident on my trip last month. After my backpack went through the x-ray, the TSA agent told me he had to look at my bag, because they something that looked sharp. Looking through the pockets of the bag and emptying the contents he didn't see anything, so everything was passed through the machine again. This time it was narrowed down to my zippered notebook.

At this point, I finally figured out what it was. Since it was the same notebook I carry back and forth to the office, I keep a small knife in it for cutting fruit, cheese, etc. and I had completely forgotten it was in there. I told the agent where it was in the notebook pouch and he pulled it out. It was just a cheap knife, so I didn't mind it being confiscated.

At least they were doing their job. Plus, I still had over an hour before the flight left, so I wasn't pressed for time.

I can't say that there aren't a few jerks out there, but most of these people are just trying to do their job under tough circumstances. I think a lot of people just need to accept that there are going to be frustrating moments when travelling these days. Do everything you can to clean yourself of all metal before even getting to the security gate and leave yourself plenty of time to allow for long lines. I don't think air travel will be a pleasant experience for some time to come.