Keeping us safe from terrorism.

[hedgehog]

So my husband is coming home from Switzerland today, and he was pulled aside to have his bags hand checked because of the chocolate bunny rabbits he is bringing home. I'll grant you that they were packaged in aluminum foil.

[Debau2005]

1. I got pulled last weekend

for hand lotion in my purse. It was less then the maximum allowed but not in a zip lock bag. They TSA agent was not pleased when I said he could keep it I didn't like it anyway. I don't think I was sarcastic, ok, maybe I was....:evilgrin:

[hedgehog]

3. I had nasal spray in my bag in its bag all set to show to the screener,

but in the fuss with putting my purse flat in one bin with my shoes, getting the lap top out of its case and putting it flat in a bin and putting its case flat in a bin, I forgot to get the little baggie out. Guess what? No one asked me to open my purse to show them the bottle.

Part of the reason I was so flustered: the lap top died on the trip and I was afraid I was going to be asked to turn it on!


I am convinced that ever since I screwed up once at security, I am tagged to be pulled aside for extra checks. My record so far:

1. Attempt to go through security with last minute samples and goodies from a technical show in my purse. Pens, key chain, snap off razor (AKA box cutter) ......I was thinking it's be good for opening packages and never thought of it as a weapon! Then there was the hunk of copper cable that had been attached to a piece of aluminum in a demo of explosive welding....

2. Attempt to board a plane with a garden gnome in my carry-on. That got a laugh at Heathrow, but got me pulled aside in Frankfurt so it could be wiped down for explosives. That was a little nerve wracking, because those machines are looking for nitrates, and guess what's in the fertilizer sold at garden centers.....

3. I actually have been pulled side several times since for "random " searches. I'm probably the only middle aged white woman who can say that!

[pitohui]

10. you are NOT the only middle aged white woman who can say that

i believe that middle aged white women are targeted for extra "random" screening, especially in europe, because it's believed that we are the opinion makers and the vacation planners

we are supposed to go home and tell all our friends how good security is in europe

it just happens too often to be coincidence

one time at FRA i had my optics wiped TWICE for explosives testing in about an hour, i mean, say what?

[hedgehog]

12. I think that I am just nervous enough about traveling ( not really fear

of flyig, just not liking the change in routine) that I trigger the extra inspections.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. Maybe everyone should start bring their trash to the airport...

...so the TSA guys can throw it away for us.

[margotb822]

2. I'm sure my DU postings have me on "the list"

What did they say on Olbermann yesterday? The List is 900,000 names. So yea, we're all definitely on it!

(I'm flying tomorrow. I'll let you know if I get the special treatment.)

[Sweet Pea]

5. Don't be silly

I've flown 6 times in the last 3 weeks, international as well as national, on 3 different airlines, and wasn't "pulled over" once.

Unless you really do pop on the bad-list, its all random.

[Debau2005]

7. Yes, Please let us know

I am getting married in Jamaica next month, and want to know if I need to rent a boat, since I am probably listed somewhere, and will be tagged when I come through customs.

I try to think of my multiple airport experiences as in inconveient way to pass the time! :hippie:

I figure I don't need that Ben and Jerry's ice cream while I am waiting on my delayed flight anyway, and my time at security is just a calorie saving event!

[Clear Blue Sky]

6. And some airports let you through with larger bottles of lotion, etc.

No consistency to the TSA process from airport to airport, or time to time.

[Debau2005]

8. I have found

the smaller airports with TSA agents tha have less to do are the worse ones. I guess they need to find something to do to stay busy.

[bdamomma]

9. so they have to hassel American citizens.

sickening.

[pitohui]

11. my husband and i have noticed the thing

there is always the danger of "make work" when someone otherwise has nothing to do