Rings,watches,belts,TSA?

[KittenLittle]

Have not flown in a loooong time,so please bear with me!
Can we leave our watches and rings on,or do we HAVE to put them in a security bin?
What about belts?
What do we do with digital cameras,mini camcorders,cell phones?Keep in personal item for screening,or remove?
Thanks,all-we do not want to hold up the line.
I have already gone to TSA.gov so I do know about 3-1-1.

 

[DebbieB]

I never take off any jewelry. I usually don't wear a belt but one with a metal buckel will setoff the detector. I leave my cellphone and digital camera in my purse. I believe camcorders have to be taken out, along with laptops.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You can leave your jewelry on. I've never had a problem going through with my belt and metal buckle. Along with Camcorders and Laptops, portable DVD players also have to be taken out of their case and put through separately. You will also need to remove your shoes to go through security as well.

Cell phones and cameras can be kept in your carry on for screening.

 

[KittenLittle]

Good to know!
Thanks!

 

[maxiesmom]

What sets of the metal detector depends on the airport. Flying from my home airport, I have to take off all of my jewelry. I have even had a small piece of foil from a stick of my gum set of the detector. My brother in law has had to remove his belt too.

I think the best thing is to limit how much hardware you have on. Pick a belt with as little metal on it as possible. Skip earrings or a watch, or put them on after clearing security.

 

[KittenLittle]

ok-no problem-I will just leave my watch in my purse with my cell phone and camera,but I will put the little camcorder in a bin for screening.We are not taking a DVD player or laptop this time.
Thanks,again.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You do understand that each item, other than than the clothing and small jewelry you're wearing, has to be put on the belt and run through the scanner, right? You can't hold on to your purse while walking through the machine, it and all its contents need to be xrayed?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Never had a problem with my belt buckle at BWI or the airport in Orlando. Would just add to the general mayhem if every person had to remove their belt w/o any signs telling them to do so in advance.

KittenLittle: Don't worry about holding up the line. Likely as not it'll be held up by something else!! We have a line hold up almost every trip at BWI--the TSA folks are screaming at everyone about putting this ,that and maybe NOT the other thing in those bins--and then they allow the line to RUN OUT of bins! Happens almost every time. No one seems to know who's in charge of keeping the empty bins in stock. At BWI, evidently no one...

 

[Tozzie]

There are time my jewlery will set the detector off and times it doesn't at the same airport, same terminal and same jewlery, it depends on the settings on the metal detector, so just to keep things moving and not get hung up I just take my belt and jewlery off and put it in my bag.

 

[bumbershoot]

My husband always has to take off his belt to get through the detector.

I once had an inch-long barrette cause the machine to go off, and thankfully the passenger behind me reminded me of the barrette or I was going to have to be taken away to get wanded, while hubby was being wanded (b/c of his shorts zipper!!!), and the TSA people were trying to forget about my then 4 year old (they were about to take me away and leave him there)...as I stood my ground about my son, the passenger spoke up b/c she could see the barrette.

Whew.

So that was at LAX, and we've never encountered such a touchy detector again (or before).

But we kept our wedding rings on (our only jewelry normally worn).

Just take it easy, stay calm, don't get yourself in a frenzy...if you have a question, put a smile on your face and ask...

 

[KittenLittle]

Well,I guess each airport is a little different.I will just have to see how it goes.
I'm just nervous about seeing stories of items gone missing during these scans.
Thanks,all!!

 

[tjmw2727]

Well,I guess each airport is a little different.I will just have to see how it goes.
I'm just nervous about seeing stories of items gone missing during these scans.
Thanks,all!!

It would be very difficult for someone to take your itmes during the screening. Before we hit security I take off anything that may be sensitive and put it all in my carryon. Take out my 3-1-1 bag and loosen my shoes. Put your shoes, 3-1-1 bag and laptop (if you have it) in the bin provided and then send the bin and your bag through. The conveyer is covered on top and both sides so nobody has access, not even the screeners. They are looking at the screens showing the contents of the items. If they see something they want to take a look at they will call you over and you must be present if they open and inspect it. You can keep an eye on your bags 99% of the time and most of the time you are through the metal detector before your bags are through the conveyer.

Travel with limited valuables, and whatever you do, keep all your valuables with you - don't check them through. IMHO that's when things go missing as you can't "truly" lock your checked bags.

I think the TSA website has a detailed description of what you can expect at screening with pictures. It may make you feel more at ease!

 

[KittenLittle]

Thanks for all the detailed instructions! That's exactly what I need!
I am glad we are flying out of a smaller,regional airport-should be a little easier.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

There's nothing more annoying while waiting in the TSA line than to see somebody go through the metal detector, get buzzed, have to go back, take off their watch, go through, get buzzed, go back, take off their belt, then finally get through.

If something can easily come off, it should be taken off and put through the metal detector. Even if it will probably go through, you never know if today is the day they will have cranked up the sensitivity of the machines. Standard rings (most wedding, engagement, etc.) are fine, as are most small/mid-sized earnings. But, otherwise, as you dress for your travel day, keep the metal detectors in mind. It's not the day to wear your largest chain necklace, nor every bangle-bracelet you own. Save the big metal belt buckles for another day. Wear your "cheap" watch, not your good one. Etc.

Also, keep in mind you are going to have to take your shoes off. If you get the skivvies walking barefoot in a public place, pick an outfit with socks.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Put your shoes, 3-1-1 bag and laptop (if you have it) in the bin provided and then send the bin and your bag through.

Picky point - at many airports they are starting to enforce the rule that shoes should go through on their own. It's not a big deal if you put them in the bin, somebody will just take them out for you.

 

[tjmw2727]

Picky point - at many airports they are starting to enforce the rule that shoes should go through on their own. It's not a big deal if you put them in the bin, somebody will just take them out for you.

Interesting - I have done two trips in the past 6 weeks (4 trips through security) and each time the shoes were to go in the bin. Just to clarify my post from above I put my shoes in first, then the 3-1-1 bag with the shoes and then laptop separately !!

ITA with your prior post, everything possible goes in my carryon to minimize the chance I will beep! As I am waiting to get the to the bins I usualy watch ahead to get an idea of how they want things done, esp in an unfamiliar airport.

Here is the section on getting through security - especially helpful for those who don't fly often:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm

 

[seashoreCM]

Some years ago I buzzed the security checkpoint and the officer asked if I had something under my sweatshirt. I said I had a neck chain, and had to take it off.

Had forgotten about that while I had previously taken change, keys, etc. out of pockets and put them in my carry-on.

A few days later the chain was lost at Blizzard Beach which is another (sad and OT) program.

 

[Uncleromulus]

At many airports they don't tell you things in advance.
So we again have the screaming TSA people trying to get shoes out of--or, depending on the airport--into--the bins.

 

[DebbieB]

I went through security at PIT and SNA this past week and both places put my shoes in the bin.

 

[StregaNona]

Never had a problem with my belt buckle at BWI or the airport in Orlando. Would just add to the general mayhem if every person had to remove their belt w/o any signs telling them to do so in advance.

My friend flies that same route a few times a year and always has to remove his belt, his watch, loose change in his pockets, cell phone, etc. He usually carries any extra baggie for all the little items.