Airport Screener Answering Questions

[bunnyfoo]

Is it okay to bring Disney pins as part of your carry-on? I've heard some people say yes and others say no. I just wanted to get the official word on pins

 

[bmartin1206]

Disney pins should be no problem. If you have any doubts about anything you can always put it in checked luggage. As long as it's not explosive or illegal it shouldn't be an issue. Refer to www.tsa.gov for other tips as needed.

Brian

 

[Duckster]

BPMartin. We will be flying out of IND this Saturday. Maybe we will get lucky and have you as our screener!! I have two questions. We will be checking my sons car seat with our luggage. I hhave read differing advise on how to package the car seat. I have read some posts recomending that you simply put the seat in a large trash bag and tie it off, and I have also read where the seat should be in a clear plastic bag. Does it matter if the bag is clear or not??? I know that I need to label both the outside of the bag and the seat itself. My other question is will the screeners allow us to lock our luggage after they have screened them? I recenty flew out of DFW and they were allowing passengers to wait while the bag was checked and then you could lock your bag. I wasn't sure if this was a normal policy or something they were wimply allowing at DFW. Than you VERY much for providing your expertise to everyone's questions.

 

[LSchrow]

soooooooooo,
do you think my unexposed 800 film should be in checked luggage or "hand inspected"?
i'm a smidge leary of asking for a "hand inspection" after our last flight (yeah, there's a story ):
when flying, we all take an antihistimine (one incident of "fluid in ear during take-off" was enough for me ) , and chew a LOT of gum.
at time 12yo DS was pulled to side for an inspection of his backpack. still a kid, of course he was nervous at being "singled out", & was trembling slightly, with tears in his eyes. as the woman removed his HUGE stash of wrigley's spearmint & juicy fruit packs, i put my arm around him, and said, "don't worry, hon.......maybe next time, we'll just leave the gum home".
the inspector went BALLISTIC!!! she screamed at me, "do you think this is some sort off a joke??!! do you have any idea what kind of weapons are brought on board......."
i tried calming her down, telling her that i was just trying to ease my son's angst, & then that i understood & agreed that the security precautions were important to us all. nothing worked ~ she just kept screaming at me until she finally finished searching (after about 10 minutes, & of course, not finding even an emery board).
as we walked away (more slinking away in embarrassment), my DH whispers in my ear, "you do know she thought you said "gun", not "gum"??!"
please tell me that checked is better.........

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by LSchrow
soooooooooo,
do you think my unexposed 800 film should be in checked luggage or "hand inspected"?
i'm a smidge leary of asking for a "hand inspection" after our last flight (yeah, there's a story ):
when flying, we all take an antihistimine (one incident of "fluid in ear during take-off" was enough for me ) , and chew a LOT of gum.
at time 12yo DS was pulled to side for an inspection of his backpack. still a kid, of course he was nervous at being "singled out", & was trembling slightly, with tears in his eyes. as the woman removed his HUGE stash of wrigley's spearmint & juicy fruit packs, i put my arm around him, and said, "don't worry, hon.......maybe next time, we'll just leave the gum home".
the inspector went BALLISTIC!!! she screamed at me, "do you think this is some sort off a joke??!! do you have any idea what kind of weapons are brought on board......."
i tried calming her down, telling her that i was just trying to ease my son's angst, & then that i understood & agreed that the security precautions were important to us all. nothing worked ~ she just kept screaming at me until she finally finished searching (after about 10 minutes, & of course, not finding even an emery board).
as we walked away (more slinking away in embarrassment), my DH whispers in my ear, "you do know she thought you said "gun", not "gum"??!"
please tell me that checked is better.........

DO NOT PUT YOUR FILM IN CHECKED LUGGAGE!!!!! Put it in your carryon. Exposed or unexposed film is subject to damage in checked luggage. 800 and below should not have any problems going through the scanners that scan carry ons. Do not use lead lined bags, because, if they cannot see through it, they will increase the power of the scanner, and that could possibly ruin your film, if they still cannot see what it is, they will hand inspect it, causing unnecessary delays for you. You can request that it be hand inspected if you want. That will pretty much insure it won't be harmed.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by bmartin1206
I work for TSA in baggage and passenger screening and offer to answer you questions.

Tip "O" the day - Carry on unexposed film. Unexposed film put into checked luggage may be ruined in the CATSCAN/Xray.

Exposed and unexposed are subject to extream damage in the scanning process for checked luggage. No film is safe.

 

[bmartin1206]

800 speed film and above should always be hand checked. Any speed less than that can go through the security check point x- ray only. No unexposed film should be put into checked luggage. Lead lined bags are encouraged. We do not increase the strngth of xrays if you have one nor does the machine increase automatically. It will 'cause us to search your bag since we can't see through it which is a good thing since you want it to protect your film. The security check point xray is cumulative and will harm film if it is put through more than 4 times total. So if you have some connections going and returning consider hand checking.
Exposed film (film that has had print s made) is safe through any part of the process. The development and prints have gone through all of the chemical changes that are going to happen.
We do not 'cause unnecessary delay's. Any perceived delay is usually in the flying public's best interest to insure safety.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by bmartin1206
800 speed film and above should always be hand checked. Any speed less than that can go through the security check point x- ray only. No unexposed film should be put into checked luggage. Lead lined bags are encouraged. We do not increase the strngth of xrays if you have one nor does the machine increase automatically. It will 'cause us to search your bag since we can't see through it which is a good thing since you want it to protect your film. The security check point xray is cumulative and will harm film if it is put through more than 4 times total. So if you have some connections going and returning consider hand checking.
Exposed film (film that has had print s made) is safe through any part of the process. The development and prints have gone through all of the chemical changes that are going to happen.
We do not 'cause unnecessary delay's. Any perceived delay is usually in the flying public's best interest to insure safety.

Exposed film is film that has been used . Unexposed film is film that has not been used. Processed film is developed film. That processed film would consist of prints and negatives or slides.
Film terminology can be confusing. Processed film, is indeed, safe as it is no longer film.

I did not say that screeners cause delays, pax cause delays by not using common sense and doing their homework, and I am very happy you are here to educate the flying public.

 

[LSchrow]

thank you for the quick reply........
& another question:
it's my understanding that regular luggage locks are no longer the best method of keeping baggage sealed (that the locks are frequently cut open). so are plastic ties (the loop-and-lock variety) the preferred method?

btw, your sharing of expertise is REALLY appreciated!!

 

[bmartin1206]

Plastic ties are the cheapest and just as effective way to secure your bag. If we need to get into the bag it will ( or should ) be re-sealed after inspection. Some airports do the bag inspections right there in front of you. Unless you are changing airlines on that leg of your flight there won't be any other reason for us to get into your bag until you return. In this case you can lock it if you want. Hope this answers your questions.

Brian

 

[YesDear]

Just wanted to share a very recent experience(last Friday) about DW's pin collection she put in her carryon. Bag was pulled and inspected in Raleigh NC. The lady was very nice in going through the bag and the pin bag. It appears the xray screener could not figure out what they were. So he had it pulled. While we were glad to have it done, she went back and showed him the bag alone and had it run back through. We never mind anyone doing their job when it comes to airline security. What was funnty to us, however, was that in our other bag was a George Forman Grill!

DS is working at SAB as a lifeguard. We were taking it to him. Went through without an word. Guess he had seen those!


No question at all in Orlando!


I personally would like to thank the TSA people. They are doing a super job in my estimation and are far nicer than the private folks before!!!

 

[vhoffman]

Ok, airport screener, I'm going to make a formal complaint about this, but what's your take on it?

Coming back from Orlando, I set off the metal detector because I have an artificial hip. My husband aslo set off the detector, probably due to a belt buckle or something. We were both asked to go into a glass-enclosed screening room to be searched further. It consisted of nothing more than passing a wand over us, and they believed me when I explained about the artificial hip, no dr's letter required. However, we had our children with us-- a 4 and 5 year old. They wouldn't let the children in the glass-wnclosed screening area with us, and, in fact, told the children to move on, they were holding up the line. Move where? Out of our sight and supervision? We explained that they were with us and couldn't be expected to be alone in the airport while we were being screened. We told the children NOT to move on, but come in the screening area with us. The screener said they could not do that. Apparently, they (the children) had been cleared but we were not so theoretically we could slip them whatever contraband we might be carrying and they could walk out with it. Well, the answer's obvious--just wand the kids again before leaving the screening area. The screener was quite rude and told my children to move on, they were holding up the line. Actually, there wasn't a line. There was plenty of room to walk around the kids. I told the children to stay where they were until we came out. My kids were in tears not knowing what to do. After they took their good old time determining we were not terrorists and "released" us, I attempted to complain to a screener who appeared to be in charge. She seemed to misunderstand my complaint and just kept saying that screening passengers at the entrance to the consourse was a new procedure due to response from complaints from passengers about being screened at the gate. What's that got to do with seperating two children from their parents? What did they expect my kids to do, just fend for themselves in a busy airport until we could catch up with them again? Also, the airport screener refused to give me my cane back (it went through the scanner) until I asked for it several times. I'm very unsteady without it and had to lean on my husband for support. Don't you think they were out of line in their handling of this situation? The safety of small children should be of utmost concern.

Like I say, I'm in the process of filing a formal complaint. If a person travelling with small children sets off the metal detector he should not be seperated from the children during any subsequent screening. BTW, I'm white. Don't think this would have happened if I was of Middle Eastern descent.

 

[bmartin1206]

You have every right to be upset and it is my opinion they were out of line. Generally, when children (or parents) clear and the others do not, you may not touch anyone or exchange anything including children but they are to remain in your sight and with you at all times. Sometimes touching is difficult to avoid with small, frightened children and the screener may need to make a judgment call. That may include re-screening the child.
Dr's letters could just as easily be forged so we generally don't need them anymore. The hand wand will confirm what you say is true or further screening may be necessary until we resolve whatever the alarm is.
Race does not play a part in our procedures. We try to treat everyone fairly and equaly. Middle Eastern or others.
If you don't already have it you may reach customer service at TSA through the website ( www.tsa.gov ). I believe a phone number is listed as well.
While I believe the situation was handled poorly according to what you have written you must keep in mind we take nothing for granted. Just a few weeks ago a child had been given a Teddy Bear with a loaded hand gun sewn into it at the Orlando Airport. You know your a good person, and everyone who knows you can confirm that but we don't know anyone who comes through. Even if we did they would get the same equal, fair treatment.
Hope this helps. By all means express your concern and keep the faith. For the most part this is out of the norm.

Brian

 

[tiff13]

So, if we pack snacks in our carryon, will we be given a hard time? We're going to spend the day traveling and with a tight layover, we may not have time to grab lunch at the airport so we usually pack snacks for the kids {this is my daughters log in by the way}. Is it going to be more of a hassle than it's worth do you think?

 

[vhoffman]

Thanks for the website. I've tried calling the toll-free number many times but get no reply. I feel this issue needs to be addressed. No screening process should place a small child in potential danger by seperating them from their parents.

Here's another question--what if the reverse happened--one of my children set off the alarm but the parents didn't? Would he be seperated from his parents while being searched? I would never allow anyone's hands all over my child without being right there. We as passengers must have rights. How do we complain at the time? There must be a chain of command of sorts to which a passenger can appeal during the process, not just put up with whatever then make a complaint afterwards.

And BTW, its been my experience that race does play a part. Not in setting off the metal detector, but the random seat checks they were doing (I think they've stopped them?). Once people were seated at the waiting area to board their planes the seat numbers would be called out at random for a search of sorts which consisted mainly of wanding. Well, I've read in many places that certain nationalities/races were not selected this way for fear of being accused of profiling. And yes, before you feel you have to justify the need for searches, etc., I, too, remember 9/11. I also read about the teddy bear incident. I feel the screening procedures sometimes are too lax. I also have metal implants in both my feet. The wand went off when passed over them. I explained the situation. They didn not ask me to remove my shoes (which would not have been a hardship). Did we ever hear of the shoe bomber? This should not have been taken for granted. That much metal should raise a red flag. So should my artificial hip. Usually I'm wearing light-weight shorts and they can tell by simply patting me down that there's "nothing up my sleeve". My objections are not to being questioned/searched, its to seperating me from my children during the process. Obviously these procedures need to be changed. Another solution would be to have someone (another guard) stay with the children until we could be re-united. Don't just expect two pre-schoolers to wander off and fend for themselves in a busy airport.
s

 

[vhoffman]

Also, here's another complaint--while being screened, we were seperated from all our bags, including my purse. They were just left lying there on the conveyer belt where anyone could pick them up. I asked several times in vain for them to be returned or at least put in a secure area. And what about my cane? I need that to walk! Like I said, my husband was with me so I could lean on him for support, but if he wasn't I could have had a serious fall.

If the screening process necessitates seperating a passenger from their children or posessions the screeners have a responsibility to secure the posessions and safeguard the children during the process. Don't say screeners don't have time--there's always time to protect a child!

 

[frannn]

Is it necessary to check in luggage with 20-30 disney pins? I am just concerned that they will be missing out of my checked baggage if it gets opened.

I am carrying on my child's car seat (will count as one carry on), and have an extra large size diaper bag. Can I use the diaper bag as my personal item? It is evident upon opening it that it is a diaper bag, and all the contents will be for DD1. It just happens to be 1.5X larger than your average diaper bag. I figure I will need this bag to be large enough to hold not only her diapers & wipes for at least a day, but food for the plane, bottles & sippy cup, toys for the plane, smaller sized tylenol, orajel, etc. I consider all of these things necessary to have on hand in the plane for DD1. Will screeners/Delta employees tell me that this bag is too big to be considered a personal item? There are no size guidelines Delta can give me for personal items. All of our other carryons are spoken for, by the way, so an additional bag is not really an option. TIA!

 

[bmartin1206]

No hassels for food. They will xray and look at if necessary. As long as there's not a prohibited item with the food i.e. knife. shouldn't be an issue.

Brian

 

[bmartin1206]

Frann - The airlines makes the call on bags. TSA only checks what they say is OK to bring. We'd check a refridgeerator if they let you bring it. Please check with them. I believe the car seat is part of the seat so it shouldn't be a carry on.


Vhoffman - You should not be seperated from your bags or at least have them in sight . You may not touch anything until you have been completely cleared. At our airport they are either in sight at all times or we carry them to where we are doing the additional screening. If someone else in your party did not alarm, they may gather the belongings.
With respects to the cane, at our airport we xray the cane, get the person through the metal detector and return the cane. If you need the cane to walk we get you to an area to screen you and run the cane through xray while some one continues the screening process.
I have nor never would suggest screeners are too busy to safeguard children. No matter who alarms the parent and child should always remain together. I can assure you it will get passed on if you write to TSA. Make sure to include date and time.
You did the right thing by looking for someone in charge. It was unfortunate that it was handled poorly. Your next course of action should be to contact TSA.
Race does not play a part. People are randomly selected by the airlines for additonal screening, not TSA and it is indicated on their ticket. Some indicators are buying one way tickets, paying cash for tickets or buying tickets at the last minute. If I were in a foreign country at least 2 out of three of these would apply. Perhaps I don't have or want a credit card and am a US citizen. I would pay cash and thus be subject to additional searches.
Finally, we are trained to be efficient, aware and respectful. While I can't speak for everyone, whether you think we notice or not you can believe someone is watching. If shoes were a bomb there'd be obvious tampering. We didn't check shoes before the shoe bomber.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

Brian

 

[BethR]

Thank you Brian for all of your very helpful and informative posts. This is a real service to those of us who travel by air.