Do you empty your pockets?

[DisMN]

My husband empties his pockets when he goes through airport security. The only thing in his pocket is his wallet, filled with money, credit cards, his social sec card and other misc personal info. Freaks me out bigtime that he's so casual about it and trusting!



So do you empty your pockets? (Yes, I get coins and keys but your wallet?)

 

[DebbieB]

My husband empties his pockets when he goes through airport security. The only thing in his pocket is his wallet, filled with money, credit cards, his social sec card and other misc personal info. Freaks me out bigtime that he's so casual about it and trusting!



So do you empty your pockets? (Yes, I get coins and keys but your wallet?)

If you go through the new scanners, you must empty your pockets. I would put his stuff in one of the bags.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

My husband empties his pockets when he goes through airport security. The only thing in his pocket is his wallet, filled with money, credit cards, his social sec card and other misc personal info. Freaks me out bigtime that he's so casual about it and trusting!



So do you empty your pockets? (Yes, I get coins and keys but your wallet?)

Yes, we do. My husband usually puts his shoes in the same bin. Do you put your purse on the conveyor belt?

 

[Brian Noble]

If you go through the scanners, you are asked to. I do, but it goes in a zipper pocket of my messenger bag well before I get to the front of the line.

Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT): Before passing through this technology, TSA strongly recommends removing ALL items from pockets, as well as certain accessories, including wallet, belt, bulky jewelry, money, keys, and cell phone. Removing all of these items will reduce the chance of needing additional screening after exiting the machine. The officer viewing the image cannot see the passenger, so any irregularity that appears on the screen will require inspection to determine what it is.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm

 

[DisMN]

We have this strategy when going through where I go through first with one person between us. My sister had things stolen off the conveyor belt so this was our way of keeping our eyes on our stuff at all times.
DH keeps sending his stuff, wallet apart from everything else, through the scanner. I'm not that trusting I guess, so yes, from now on I'll be putting his wallet into my bag before it goes through the scanner.

Gosh I dislike sending my valuables on the conveyor belt putting them at risk for being taken at the end of the belt. Yes, I consider my watch, my personalized but nice looking medical ID bracelet and cheap cell phone valuable and don't really relish seeing them swiped off the belt after I've willingly placed them there. LOL
(and again to protect myself I first put these things into a baggy THEN into my purse so they aren't hanging out for everyone to see.)

I suppose I'm just venting because I have such negative feelings about the whole process. Thanks for listening.

 

[LWQuestie]

Pockets must be emptied, but I agree that he's tempting fate by just leaving the wallet out in the bin. My husband puts his in his laptop bag or jacket pocket before putting those items in the bin.

 

[shoes99]

I thought I had emptied my pockets but the full body scanner at EWR found a dime in my pocket. I had to be scanned twice. I'll always remember to empty my pockets from now on.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, as mentioned before the new scanners require you to have nothing in any pocket. I usually put my purse inside my carryon before we even hit security. I suggest your dh put his wallet in a carryon as well before you get to security.

This last trip I wasn't thinking and put my ID in my pocket after the TSA check. I was directed to the scanner and got a little "scolding" by the TSA agent when she asked me what was in my pocket ! My reward was a pat down I won't make that mistake again, uggh.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Every single time we go through my DH takes off his belt, ring and watch then shoes. He totally empties all his pockets and he dumps it all in a bin. I always tell him to put it in my bag and it turns into something....he thinks it's all just fine in the bin. I disagree, I don't think it's safe to put all that lose stuff in a bin and then put in on a conveyor belt.

I don't get him at all on this one. What's the big deal with puting it in my bag? He must think I'm going to keep his wallet

 

[ls3015]

I was told by TSA to hold my wallet up over my head when going though the full body scanner and there would be no problems, leaving it in a pocket will get you a pat down. But when walking though the metal detectors, it is OK to leave a wallet in your pocket. it may be a differant story at differant airports.

 

[Pikezh638]

I take everything out, usually I only use 1 bin and my wallet is under my bag, shoes, and belt.

 

[prncess674]

I travel weekly for work and I see most FF men carry a small ziploc bag with them. While standing in the security line they remove the contents of their pockets and watch and then place the ziploc in their laptop or other bag. Not only does it help secure the items from being easily stolen it also speeds up the process of moving efficiently through security. Once through security and clear of the area you can then remove the ziploc bag from your carryon and fill your pockets once again.

 

[bumbershoot]

DH puts his wallet into his carryon bag.


WHY is your husband carrying his SS card with him? Unless he's traveling to start a new job and they need a copy of it, there's no reason for him to carry that with him. If he had his stuff stolen, the thief would need nothing else to take his identity, since he'd have it all.

 

[vacationclub]

First, I avoid the scanners at all costs....analyzing which lines are using metal detectors and which lines are using either x-ray (blue and black machines) or back scatter (the glass tube that rotates and has an L3 logo). Sometimes you just can't avoid them, and if it's the x-ray I choose the opt out to avoid the unproven rays they bombard you with. I may sometimes accept the less dangerous back-scatter machines if the line is long.

If I'm not going through either scanner...and only going through the standard metal detector, then I never empty my pockets ever, regardless of what they are saying to us, except for anything metal. I take off my watch, my cell phone, my metal money clip, remove spare change and a small business card holder that has a spare car key. I put them all in a ziplock bag long before I get to security. That zip lock bag goes into another bag zipped up.

Cash, contact lens case, passport or other ID and various other paperwork stay in my pockets, only metal is removed. Never have a problem.

If I end up being forced into the back scatter scanners (I always opt out of the x-rays), and have some notice, I remove those items from my pockets and hold above my head clearly in view. I never, ever leave my cash, documents and ID anywhere except directly on my person at all times. I'm shocked at the people I see drop cash, wallets, ID's etc, directly into bins in open view. Crazy.

Sometimes they switch you into the scanners at the last second and I still have some non-metal items in pockets. If I don't opt-out (for back scatter), I take the scan, wait for them to ask about what's in my pocket, show it to them, and move on.

Just FYI, I also never ever take out my liquids and place into the bin. Ever. I always have them laid on top of everything in the bag, so it's clearly seen on the xray. I've never had them open the bag for that, and even when they open the bag for something else (usually some wiring or electronics) they completely ignor the plastic bag with liquids. Sometimes they re-run the bag and still leave the plastic bag of liquids inside.

There is truly no logic to the TSA.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I always thought it was mandatory to empty your pockets so yes

 

[pezheadmeg]

I'm a random screening magnet. So yup my pockets are totally empty. I got selected for explosive checks and checked bag x-rays on a regular basis pre-9/11. I guess the suburban co-ed is always going to look suspicious.

So I do security by the book. I prefer to avoid extra scrutiny.

My earrings if I'm going through the classic metal detector. BUT nothing goes into a bin alone. My wallet and jewelry are in an inside pocket of my carry-on. I can combobulate after I clear security.

 

[DisCookie]

I take out metal things, but I usually don't have any. I usually toss them in my purse before getting into the line.

Usually goes shoes -> purse -> other carry on ->other?

So I can put on my shoes right away, grab purse and other items.

 

[Brer Chump]

Sometimes you just can't avoid them, and if it's the x-ray I choose the opt out to avoid the unproven rays they bombard you with. I may sometimes accept the less dangerous back-scatter machines if the line is long.

Just FYI the Backscatter machines do use X-Rays. The millimeter wave machines do not.

 

[CPT Tripss]

First, I avoid the scanners at all costs....analyzing which lines are using metal detectors and which lines are using either x-ray (blue and black machines) or back scatter (the glass tube that rotates and has an L3 logo). Sometimes you just can't avoid them, and if it's the x-ray I choose the opt out to avoid the unproven rays they bombard you with. I may sometimes accept the less dangerous back-scatter machines if the line is long.

Just FYI the Backscatter machines do use X-Rays. The millimeter wave machines do not.

Why not just opt out of any scanner that requires assuming a position and has the effect of looking underneath one's clothing?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Last month we were flying home from Baltimore and as we approached the scanner, the TSA agent looked down at my jeans and told me to empty my front pockets. I didn't have any pockets.