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

[hedgehog]

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!