:rofl: :dazzler1:
TSA Experiences Today at Lubbock Airport...
- Thread starter DandyDon
- Start date
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I dont get on commercial flights very often, but I learned I have to carry a different flight bag with me when I do now. Even though I took the Berretta and flare gun out before flying, enough residue was left to set off the sensor after a swab down. When they found my approach charts, aviation charts, headset, and GPS I became public enemy number one even though all the charts were for airports with runways less than 4,000.
OP
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The hat has to go thru the x-ray machine, at least straw hats with metal frames. I don't know about felts?
Re: Singles Dive Trip
17 out of 20 from 15 states made it to Utila with all luggage in time for supper - yeah Continental. 1 canceled, and 2 got stuck on the mainland for the night. Flying to Roatan or Utila by way for San Pedro Sula is not appealing with the Contiental flights available. Just allow more time that the computer system suggests to change in Houston.
mongoose
Contributor
I never will forget this... Couple of years ago... I was departing DFW to fly out west on business, and there were two men in front of me in line. I will not state their ethnicity out right, but one might guess by their language, accent and appearance that their ancestry was from somewhere east of the Mediterranean and west of China. Ahem.
An older man and a younger man. Both not speaking english. The older man is not getting on the plane. The young man is. The older man is speaking and speaking, not whispering, but also not in a normal conversational voice. The young man is nodding and nodding. The young man is holding, to quote Dave Barry, I swear I am not making this up, A photocopied Social Security card, and one of those computerized boarding passes, where you don't have to talk directly to an agent.
The TSA worker waved the young man through, with barely a glance.
Perhaps...no, in all honesty, probably... he's a young man, off to college, getting some last-minute advice from dad while in line, and the young man lost his wallet a few days ago when he was packing up his stuff to ship to the dorm. The civilized, rational civil-libertarian that I believe myself to be knows that this (or something like it) is the overwhelming likelihood.
But I have to admit I was actually scared something might, just might, be going down.
Not trying to make any particular point, and definitely not trying to defame any group of people, especially a certain race that centuries ago, contributed immeasurably to the basis of modern astronomy, navigation, and mathematics...just a story about something that happened at the airport, and how I reacted to it in the wake of recent years.
An older man and a younger man. Both not speaking english. The older man is not getting on the plane. The young man is. The older man is speaking and speaking, not whispering, but also not in a normal conversational voice. The young man is nodding and nodding. The young man is holding, to quote Dave Barry, I swear I am not making this up, A photocopied Social Security card, and one of those computerized boarding passes, where you don't have to talk directly to an agent.
The TSA worker waved the young man through, with barely a glance.
Perhaps...no, in all honesty, probably... he's a young man, off to college, getting some last-minute advice from dad while in line, and the young man lost his wallet a few days ago when he was packing up his stuff to ship to the dorm. The civilized, rational civil-libertarian that I believe myself to be knows that this (or something like it) is the overwhelming likelihood.
But I have to admit I was actually scared something might, just might, be going down.
Not trying to make any particular point, and definitely not trying to defame any group of people, especially a certain race that centuries ago, contributed immeasurably to the basis of modern astronomy, navigation, and mathematics...just a story about something that happened at the airport, and how I reacted to it in the wake of recent years.
OP
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I'm still curious about this? Aren't unattended cars parked close to the terminal supposed to be one of the big no-nos - so a terrorist cannot blow us up without sacrificing himself at least...?
Leaving Utila was no problem. Airport security is a couple who drives the runway while the plane is on approach to make sure it's clear of livestock, then the young lady gets off to check our tickets. Easy enough.
The Roatan airport was its typical madhouse, but it was a good day - the air conditioning worked. I got in the empty Preferred customers line and saw that one young lady was hand checking bags from three lines including mine. Take the batteries out of those dive lights people! She'd stop and remove batteries from everyone she searched. Funny, tho - she was only searching a quarter of the bags, waiving the others by...?
After she skipped the Elite line a few times tho, I objected. She asked if I spoke Spanish? My eyes rolled. In one last attempt, I asked if I could go check in now? "Oh sure."
I understand that international airports with flights to the US are supposed to have security checks tight enough to please TSA, but - one bag got checked again in Houston it seems, before I connected to Lubbock. I found a TSA inspection slip inside the bag when I unpacked. They left my pony alone, and unlike my last return from North Carolina - I had no liquid shoe polish to confiscate.
Yeah, I remember LBB's reaction to the first increased security, during daddy's Iraq war I think. They moved concrete barriers - like you see on freeway construction, across any approach to the airport, including along the adjacent farmer's field for a quarter mile. They put a guard shack at the entrance and you had to have a plane ticket to get in. If I was meeting someone coming in, I'd show them one of the several I always had on hand at the time. A lot of good all that did.scubabum2:
I hope you filed the paperwork to get it back. An allen wrench?! :silly: OMGjchaplain:
I lost the recipe. Can you give me a link to that site? Great for removing tree stumps, I remember.ScubaTexan:Bet you didn't know you could make C4 out of Jello....
Need pictures please...cnctina:
Leaving Utila was no problem. Airport security is a couple who drives the runway while the plane is on approach to make sure it's clear of livestock, then the young lady gets off to check our tickets. Easy enough.
The Roatan airport was its typical madhouse, but it was a good day - the air conditioning worked. I got in the empty Preferred customers line and saw that one young lady was hand checking bags from three lines including mine. Take the batteries out of those dive lights people! She'd stop and remove batteries from everyone she searched. Funny, tho - she was only searching a quarter of the bags, waiving the others by...?
After she skipped the Elite line a few times tho, I objected. She asked if I spoke Spanish? My eyes rolled. In one last attempt, I asked if I could go check in now? "Oh sure."
I understand that international airports with flights to the US are supposed to have security checks tight enough to please TSA, but - one bag got checked again in Houston it seems, before I connected to Lubbock. I found a TSA inspection slip inside the bag when I unpacked. They left my pony alone, and unlike my last return from North Carolina - I had no liquid shoe polish to confiscate.
ajames54
Guest
slingshot:
I had the same basic experience.. they took my hex key but ignored the two bottles of over proof booze I bought at the duty free..
Think of that what you will.
Security is a joke. My wife made it through 3 flights with 5 lighters before getting nailed on the fourth. I have a feeling it depends on whose scanning whether they let this stuff through or not. So what if there was more than Butane in these lighters? I screwed up too. Left my batteries in my dive lights on the way down but removed them on the way home at the Cayman airport when I saw the sign. And I bring my gear on the plane with me. Dive lights can get pretty hot if they turn on accidently. Good thing I locked the switch. No standardization between airports is one big problem. So it's a felony to carry on an illegal item, whether it's accidental or not, but it's OK as a security "professional" to let this stuff slide? Unfortunately something bad has to happen berfore anything is done about it.
Recently got on a Continental flight... after going through the rigors of TSA searches and watching them remove a pocket knife from someone, I was surprised when a METAL knife and fork came with every meal on the plane. Just a note to terrorist - no need to bring a pocket knife or box cutter - Continental will give you all you need.
Ken
Ken
DandyDon::lol: Bags are hand searched in front of the counter here, and I always stay and watch. I had the valve out of my pony, a copy of the TSA document covering transport of tanks, but - they never opened either bag. Just swabbed the outsides for chemicals.
Went outside for a smoke and noticed several unattended cars parked on the curb for more than the 10 minutes I was there. An announcement went out over the PA, but no guard.
When I approached the security gate, the same porter who'd carried my bags checked my passport and boarding pass. I know that sky caps are trained in some degree of security, but are they approved to take the place of a TSA agent?
How much extra are we paying for these extra security measures, $10 per ticket? Just an unfortunate joke, I think.The agents I met were nice.
How have others fared at airports lately...?
Gidds
Contributor
My only complaint about increased airport security is the whole: "don't wear underwires" thing. It would be embarassing enough to set off the metal detector with those but then being asked to remove the sweatshirt over the skimpy tank top without the benefit of underwires leaves much to be desired.
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