Going through Security with Mom

[Robinette]

Last month I went to Disney with my Mom, sister and Aunt. My Mom doesn't travel so I prepared her for the trip and told her what not to bring on the plane. My dad also reminded her while she was packing what is not allowed in your carry on.

Well, while we are checking in at the airport she decides last minute not to check one of her bags and brings it on the plane. As we are going through security (Flint airport in Michigan), she gets stopped because of this bag.

You won't believe what they pulled out! 2 pairs of nail clippers, 2 scissors (one for cutting cuticles and one for cutting her hair), a nice sharp metal nail file and a cork screw! My Mom doesn't even drink!!! (she still doesn't know why she had a cork screw)

Good going Ma!

The security man was great about the whole thing. We were all laughing every time he pulled something out. Next time I travel with Mom, I'm checking her bags myself!

 

[Lambert808]

LOL! That is too funny

 

[DebbieB]

My mom did it last week too. She wanted to bring a small pair of scissors, I told her to put it in her checked luggage. Guess what happened when the carry on went through the scanner - BAG CHECK!!!! He pulls out the scissors, which were pointy surgical type scissors. At home, at the last minute she took a bag of stuff out of her checked luggage and threw it into the carryon. She was so mad that they confiscated them.

 

[TinkKel]

LOL, that is too funny!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Robinette
Last month I went to Disney with my Mom, sister and Aunt. My Mom doesn't travel so I prepared her for the trip and told her what not to bring on the plane. My dad also reminded her while she was packing what is not allowed in your carry on.

Well, while we are checking in at the airport she decides last minute not to check one of her bags and brings it on the plane. As we are going through security (Flint airport in Michigan), she gets stopped because of this bag.

You won't believe what they pulled out! 2 pairs of nail clippers, 2 scissors (one for cutting cuticles and one for cutting her hair), a nice sharp metal nail file and a cork screw! My Mom doesn't even drink!!! (she still doesn't know why she had a cork screw)

Good going Ma!

The security man was great about the whole thing. We were all laughing every time he pulled something out. Next time I travel with Mom, I'm checking her bags myself!

LOL, oddly enough, corkscrews are allowed.

 

[Robinette]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
LOL, oddly enough, corkscrews are allowed.

OMG, I know. I couldn't believe they let her keep it!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Robinette
OMG, I know. I couldn't believe they let her keep it!

LOL, kind of makes you wonder, right?

 

[DebbieB]

I think knitting needles are permitted also.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
LOL, oddly enough, corkscrews are allowed.

Tho interestly enough, the one I had in my carryon this past October was confiscated. It was one of my favorites too

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I think knitting needles are permitted also.

Yes, and crochet hooks too.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
Tho interestly enough, the one I had in my carryon this past October was confiscated. It was one of my favorites too

If it is one with a blade attached, they will take it. apparently the blade makes it more lethel than it is.

 

[CarolA]

Keep in mind that just because the TSA list says something is allowed does not always mean YOUR TSA person is up to date. You have two choices, go along with your TSA person or fight.

Now, if you fight they have the ability to make your life miserable. Go thru all your luggage, do the full body search etc... SO even though you may KNOW you are right..... I would just go along and catch my plane!

 

[Poly Pal]

I'm glad your mother had a friendly TSA agent. It is a federal offense to bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint, even if by mistake with no ill intent. People have been arrested in similar situations (now that would ruin a vacation!) The penalty for mistakenly bringing a prohibited item is usually a dollar fine, but the law does allow for jail time as well.

Thanks for the story that we can all learn from! Glad it ended well.

 

[zippehsmom]

Robinette a little off topic, but how was flying out of Flint? We're flying out of there this July, (gotta love their fare versus flying out of DTW).


Thanks

zippehsmom

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Poly Pal
I'm glad your mother had a friendly TSA agent. It is a federal offense to bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint, even if by mistake with no ill intent. People have been arrested in similar situations (now that would ruin a vacation!) The penalty for mistakenly bringing a prohibited item is usually a dollar fine, but the law does allow for jail time as well.

Thanks for the story that we can all learn from! Glad it ended well.

Corkscrews are permitted. I brought manicure scissors in my carryon because I was NOT paying attention to what I was throwing in there as we were preparing to leave, happily I had a really nice TSA agent who allowed me to take the scissors to the post office at MCO and mail them to myself.
I have yet to see anything that mentions a fine regarding prohibited items, just a notice that they can and mightl be confiscated. Can you direct us to where it mentions a fine?

 

[Robinette]

Originally posted by zippehsmom
Robinette a little off topic, but how was flying out of Flint? We're flying out of there this July, (gotta love their fare versus flying out of DTW).

I really love flying out of Flint Bishop airport. Parking your car long term is so easy. Last time instead of waiting for a shuttle to take me to the lot, I just walked across the street myself to my car!

Never a long wait to get through security. Now my Mom is another story...

Northwest now has service out of Bishop but I still get the best price to MCO through Airtran.

Have a great trip in July

 

[Robinette]

Originally posted by Poly Pal
It is a federal offense to bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint, even if by mistake with no ill intent. People have been arrested in similar situations (now that would ruin a vacation!) The penalty for mistakenly bringing a prohibited item is usually a dollar fine, but the law does allow for jail time as well.

Never heard or read about being fined/jailed for mistakenly having these things in a carry on. I'm glad too that our TSA agent was light hearted about the situation.

 

[Poly Pal]

Hi Gail (and everyone else),

The info on civil and criminal penalties for bringing prohibited items, even accidentally, is on the TSA web site. I recall some guy at BDL being arrested for bringing a handgun to the security checkpoint. He was arrested but was only fined, not jailed.