I keep hearing people murmur about the TSA getting tougher and tougher on travelers. I admit — I was a little nervous about my recent travel to Costa Rica. Security seems to get a little more strict and a little more time-consuming each time I get on a plane. I’m always worried that I will forget something important, and having to take my shoes, jacket, and belt off is a chore I don’t particularly enjoy.
For the record, full-body scans don’t bother me. Pat-downs don’t phase me. And, yes, I got both during my travels in November.
And I do recognize the purpose for the tightened security measures. As a resident of Washington DC during the 9-11 attacks, I am grateful for the new regulations.
When they work.
And that’s where the TSA-fail comes in.
CandyMan and I were going through security at a large US airport, preparing to fly out of the country. He was concerned that all of the computer, video, and networking equipment in his large carry-on bag would be a problem in security, so he was prepared for a thorough search.
His large bag made it through just fine, though they did stop to test his contact solution to make sure it was really contact solution.
He passed through the scanner and met his bags on the other side of the belt, only to realize that his large set of keys, with remote control and metal karabiner, were still in his pocket. He pointed the fact out to the lady inspecting his contact solution, and mentioned that it was disturbing to him that his keys had not set off the metal detector. She remarked that it was odd that his keys had not been detected, and said that it might be because he was “small” and might have been “too far away from the scanner.”
CandyMan stowed his keys in a carry-on, collected the rest of his bags, put his shoes back on, and we proceeded to the gate.
We walked away from security feeling rather UNsecure. If WE just walked through the metal detectors with some innocently forgotten metal, what other items were being slipped through, undetected?
Just something to think about.
This is my adorable niece with a message to TSA
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lol, love your adorable niece ; )
Oh, that is scary. I hate the extra security. But I hate it mostly because it doesn’t WORK. All it does is intrude upon and exasperate the normal people.
You think keys are disturbing? My husband has gotten through security at many different places with a knife in his pocket. Yes, a knife. It’s a small swiss army pocket knife that he usually keeps in his checked luggage or he leaves it at home or in the car. Once in a while he forgets about it – he carries it every day so it’s habit – and it has gotten through security. Now that is pretty scary.
That is a little unnerving. I’m glad to hear the backscattet and pat downs are nothing to worry about.
I am beyond disturbed that your husband’s keys didn’t set the metal detector alarms off! It’s frustrating to hear that there are folks who feel violated – and rightfully so in my opinion – who have done nothing wrong, yet there are still flaws in the system that result in some people getting through metal detectors with keys and who knows what else! I personally am not too thrilled with the pat-down and body scans, though I’ll submit to them if necessary. But my kids? No one touches my kids. And no one examines their bodies unless medically necessary.
I chose this prompt as well! Come by and check it out when you get a moment. :) Oh and I love the photo of your niece. lol Have a great day!
Did you see that video on Youtube of the 50 year old woman who walks through the terminal in BRA AND PANTIES? OMG
I traveled last week and the TSA wasn’t THAT bad but I’ve been hearing from horror stories from friends. I don’t know, are we just blowing this out of proportion or what?
the last time I flew a woman stopped me as we were walking in the same direction to show me a bottle of coke she passed through that was half filled.
she was like – im SO HAPPY they didnt find it in my bag! I didnt want to buy another one!
And Im looking at her like… if you can get that much liquid through, then so can everyone else… and it might NOT BE COKE.
:(
That IS scary!!
Isn’t it, though?
Thanks for letting me know about that website. I felt like someone needed to know about what happened to us in security!
I don’t know….you do kind of look like the terrorist type to me. ;)
Yeah, kind of disturbing, isn’t it?
See? The inconsistency is what drives me crazy!
Hmm, that’s scary. Very scary.
This is why I think this new TSA security protocol is so ridiculously moronic! I’m flying this Christmas to SoCal and I’m not really that excited going through TSA with my 6 year old daughter. You may want to share your story with wewontfly dot com too. They’ve been collecting stories about TSA’s new security protocols.
The last time I went through an airport (via international flights) I was stopped at every single pat down station…going and returning. 6 pat downs later I turned to the guy behind me in line and asked “Do I look dangerous to you!?”
I’m pretty okay with the intensified security but I think they need to focus their resources on people other than the pretty girls in comfortable traveling skirts.
Unless, of course that’s what terrorists are masking themselves as…
I’m not phased by all that’s happening with the TSA either, they are measures for our own protection really. :) Although, it is a little disturbing that they didn’t make Candyman go back through the scanner – or at least send his keys through. :(
i wore a teeny bracelet coming back from FLA and the screeners and I couldn’t figure out what was setting it off. I started getting nervous that I was going to be delayed. He finally saw the bracelet and said just to go ahead LOL