So, what's the strangest/silliest thing TSA has taken from you?

[quigs3]

Nothing yet, but I'm just waiting for the day they keep my teenage son's shoes. He wears a size 19, and every time they are sent through the scanner, they have to stop an examine them. Inevitably, other agents are called over, and the shoes are scanned and rescanned. Then they finally end up taking the shoes to an area off to the side where we have to wait while I assume they are checking for a shoe bomb. The first few times we flew, my son would get so nervous while this was going on that he'd be on the verge of a panic attack. Now we just laugh and take bets on how long it's going to take to get them back. He's still growing, so Heaven help us when he's in a size 20 or bigger!

 

[CPT Tripss]

Nothing yet, but I'm just waiting for the day they keep my teenage son's shoes. He wears a size 19, and every time they are sent through the scanner, they have to stop an examine them. Inevitably, other agents are called over, and the shoes are scanned and rescanned. Then they finally end up taking the shoes to an area off to the side where we have to wait while I assume they are checking for a shoe bomb. The first few times we flew, my son would get so nervous while this was going on that he'd be on the verge of a panic attack. Now we just laugh and take bets on how long it's going to take to get them back. He's still growing, so Heaven help us when he's in a size 20 or bigger!

Has ever given one of the curious Airport Security Screeners a big smile, sultry wink and a "yep, what they say is true" line?

 

[CPT Tripss]

I guess I don't need to accept it because I'm not completely paranoid and don't equate giving up my half empty water bottle with giving up the bill of rights.

Just the first, fourth and fifth . . .

Interesting that you chose something of little/no value to use in your ad hominem attack.

 

[ParrotBill]

A roll of quarters for the hotel laundry will cause some concern. Scanned it about 20 times before even asking me what's in there. I had a TSA agent go through my passport inspecting every page once. The passport is to confirm identity, not make a personal subjective assessment of my travels. You are only allowed to stop me if I am identified to be a wanted criminal. In the United States, we are free to travel.

For those of you taking exception to our objection to the TSA, it's very simple. There is a very specific set of rules, and we are expected to follow them in order to gain admittance to an air flight. I have the same expectation of the TSA. KNOW THE RULES, dammit. Don't take my empty water bottle, don't take my eyeglasses repair kit. It's just not acceptable to violate us even more than we already must.

And for you ladies getting groped on your bare legs: I hope you will take a badge number and file a complaint for misconduct. Google Sante Fe High School, where prom going teen girls were patted down over bare legs and arms. The TSA VIPR program sends TSA agents out to any old public place they care to. That, my friends, is a police state in the making.

 

[quigs3]

Has ever given one of the curious Airport Security Screeners a big smile, sultry wink and a "yep, what they say is true" line?

I love it! I thinking will next time, although my son will probably never forgive me!

 

[CPT Tripss]

I love it! I thinking will next time, although my son will probably never forgive me!

I'm pleased you took it with the intended humor . . . I paused a bit before submitting

 

[CPT Tripss]

A roll of quarters for the hotel laundry will cause some concern. Scanned it about 20 times before even asking me what's in there. I had a TSA agent go through my passport inspecting every page once. The passport is to confirm identity, not make a personal subjective assessment of my travels. You are only allowed to stop me if I am identified to be a wanted criminal. In the United States, we are free to travel.

For those of you taking exception to our objection to the TSA, it's very simple. There is a very specific set of rules, and we are expected to follow them in order to gain admittance to an air flight. I have the same expectation of the TSA. KNOW THE RULES, dammit. Don't take my empty water bottle, don't take my eyeglasses repair kit. It's just not acceptable to violate us even more than we already must.

And for you ladies getting groped on your bare legs: I hope you will take a badge number and file a complaint for misconduct. Google Sante Fe High School, where prom going teen girls were patted down over bare legs and arms. The TSA VIPR program sends TSA agents out to any old public place they care to. That, my friends, is a police state in the making.

 

[Polydweller]

Another thread gave me this idea to start a bit of a light-hearted thread.

I was once flying to a wedding and decided to just carry on the gift to make sure it made it to my destination with me. It was a fondue pot, and the fondue forks were taken by the TSA, with the remark that they were "too pokey" to be in my carryon.

Luckily, we had plenty of time and were flying from a small airport, so I was able to run back to the counter and the agent was able to retrieve my checked bag so I could slip the forks in there so the happy couple ended up with a complete fondue set.

Seriously? You can't see how those forks could be used as a weapon!?!? They're made to skewer things like meat. It wouldn't take much to put those through somebody's neck.

If you had seen the 'weapon' a patient used on my wife and almost killed her you'd understand and it was a lot less substantial than that. And he put it through her arm first.

Wish you had used a better examples for a lighthearted thread than something that obviously could be used and should be flagged by the TSA.

 

[marymaya]

My mom had nutella type spread taken coming back from belgium. the bad part is that she bought it at duty free so it should have cleared. very disapointing.

 

[Gracie09]

Seriously? You can't see how those forks could be used as a weapon!?!? They're made to skewer things like meat. It wouldn't take much to put those through somebody's neck.

If you had seen the 'weapon' a patient used on my wife and almost killed her you'd understand and it was a lot less substantial than that. And he put it through her arm first.

Wish you had used a better examples for a lighthearted thread than something that obviously could be used and should be flagged by the TSA.

You can bring a wine key without a blade on a plane. I could do some damage with that if I wanted

 

[mikek]

You can bring a wine key without a blade on a plane. I could do some damage with that if I wanted

exactly.

I dont really care, we're rule followers for the most part - but the list is a bit arbitrary. A few months ago they were going to allow pocket knives up to 4 inches again if I recall correctly. Nail clippers are ok. Pens/pencils. i dont know what else, could probably go on and on....

I'm pretty sure macgyver (sp?) could kill you with anything on a plane or the approved list.

 

[LoveDals]

I went through the airport security in December of 2011 and packed an empty, completely dry, full size Waterpik in my carryon. I was an adult with braces and REALLY needed it to make it to Disney in one piece. So I wrapped it in bubble wrap and duct tape it to keep it secure.

My husband went through security first, with no questions, but as soon as my suitcase was scanned I was immediately asked to step inside a private room behind the conveyor belts. My husband attempted to come back with me and he was waved away.

A female TSA was called into the room and I was prepared to get searched. But they could care less about my body. The gal went into another room and came back with a long set of gloves (they reached to her elbows) and using tongs, she pulled everything out of my bag. I asked her what she was looking or and she told me "Do not talk". I then shifted my legs (I was actually getting a little weak in the knees) and she loudly told me "DO NOT MOVE". When she got to the Waterpik she tried to remove the bubble wrap and tape with the tongs but it just wouldn't work. So she called for back up.

By now I had been in the room for over 1/2 an hour. I asked the agents (the second one was a tall young man) how long this was going to take and the gal again told me not to speak. The 2 agents then proceeded to dissect the wrap covering the Waterpik... slowly. Once they got to the actual machine I thought this would be over rather quickly. Wrong.

Next they both disappeared into the back room (leaving me alone with the Waterpik!) and returned with a different pair of gloves and ... a giant q-tip! They proceeded to swab the outside and left with the q-tip wrapped in a cellophane bag. A few minutes later, they both returned with a new set of gloves (these were lavender colored) and another giant q-tip. This went on 3 more times.

Now I had been in the room for over an hour. Then my cell phone rang. Both agents jumped. I knew it was my husband calling, worried that I was going to miss the plane, so I had to ask if I could answer the phone. Both agents yelled NO.

The Waterpik was then removed from the table by both agents with a fortified (read GIANT) pair of tongs and I was left alone for another 15 minutes. I was really starting to sweat now as I only had 20 minutes until my plane was due to leave. Finally the female agent returned to gather up the bubble wrap and I said "if I let you keep the Waterpik can I just leave?"

She looked at me and said "you will have to speak with a supervisor". Phew! OK send him/or her in. A minute later another agent came in and said they were not finished analyzing the object and that I had to wait. I told him I was going to miss my plane if I waited any longer, and that he could keep the Waterpik. He made an odd (quizzical?) face and said he had to check something and left. Immediately the female agent stuck her head out of the door and told me I could leave.

I was stunned.

All of my stuff was laid out on the table and I literally swiped my arm down the length cramming everything inside the suitcase. I ran to the gate as they were making the last call to board. My husband was waiting for me.

I never saw the Waterpik again.

 

[pampam]

I went through the airport security in December of 2011 and packed an empty, completely dry, full size Waterpik in my carryon. I was an adult with braces and REALLY needed it to make it to Disney in one piece. So I wrapped it in bubble wrap and duct tape it to keep it secure.

My husband went through security first, with no questions, but as soon as my suitcase was scanned I was immediately asked to step inside a private room behind the conveyor belts. My husband attempted to come back with me and he was waved away.

A female TSA was called into the room and I was prepared to get searched. But they could care less about my body. The gal went into another room and came back with a long set of gloves (they reached to her elbows) and using tongs, she pulled everything out of my bag. I asked her what she was looking or and she told me "Do not talk". I then shifted my legs (I was actually getting a little weak in the knees) and she loudly told me "DO NOT MOVE". When she got to the Waterpik she tried to remove the bubble wrap and tape with the tongs but it just wouldn't work. So she called for back up.

By now I had been in the room for over 1/2 an hour. I asked the agents (the second one was a tall young man) how long this was going to take and the gal again told me not to speak. The 2 agents then proceeded to dissect the wrap covering the Waterpik... slowly. Once they got to the actual machine I thought this would be over rather quickly. Wrong.

Next they both disappeared into the back room (leaving me alone with the Waterpik!) and returned with a different pair of gloves and ... a giant q-tip! They proceeded to swab the outside and left with the q-tip wrapped in a cellophane bag. A few minutes later, they both returned with a new set of gloves (these were lavender colored) and another giant q-tip. This went on 3 more times.

Now I had been in the room for over an hour. Then my cell phone rang. Both agents jumped. I knew it was my husband calling, worried that I was going to miss the plane, so I had to ask if I could answer the phone. Both agents yelled NO.

The Waterpik was then removed from the table by both agents with a fortified (read GIANT) pair of tongs and I was left alone for another 15 minutes. I was really starting to sweat now as I only had 20 minutes until my plane was due to leave. Finally the female agent returned to gather up the bubble wrap and I said "if I let you keep the Waterpik can I just leave?"

She looked at me and said "you will have to speak with a supervisor". Phew! OK send him/or her in. A minute later another agent came in and said they were not finished analyzing the object and that I had to wait. I told him I was going to miss my plane if I waited any longer, and that he could keep the Waterpik. He made an odd (quizzical?) face and said he had to check something and left. Immediately the female agent stuck her head out of the door and told me I could leave.

I was stunned.

All of my stuff was laid out on the table and I literally swiped my arm down the length cramming everything inside the suitcase. I ran to the gate as they were making the last call to board. My husband was waiting for me.

I never saw the Waterpik again.

Wow! What airport was that? They acted like they had never seen a waterpik before.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I went through the airport security in December of 2011 and packed an empty, completely dry, full size Waterpik in my carryon. I was an adult with braces and REALLY needed it to make it to Disney in one piece. So I wrapped it in bubble wrap and duct tape it to keep it secure.

My husband went through security first, with no questions, but as soon as my suitcase was scanned I was immediately asked to step inside a private room behind the conveyor belts. My husband attempted to come back with me and he was waved away.

A female TSA was called into the room and I was prepared to get searched. But they could care less about my body. The gal went into another room and came back with a long set of gloves (they reached to her elbows) and using tongs, she pulled everything out of my bag. I asked her what she was looking or and she told me "Do not talk". I then shifted my legs (I was actually getting a little weak in the knees) and she loudly told me "DO NOT MOVE". When she got to the Waterpik she tried to remove the bubble wrap and tape with the tongs but it just wouldn't work. So she called for back up.

By now I had been in the room for over 1/2 an hour. I asked the agents (the second one was a tall young man) how long this was going to take and the gal again told me not to speak. The 2 agents then proceeded to dissect the wrap covering the Waterpik... slowly. Once they got to the actual machine I thought this would be over rather quickly. Wrong.

Next they both disappeared into the back room (leaving me alone with the Waterpik!) and returned with a different pair of gloves and ... a giant q-tip! They proceeded to swab the outside and left with the q-tip wrapped in a cellophane bag. A few minutes later, they both returned with a new set of gloves (these were lavender colored) and another giant q-tip. This went on 3 more times.

Now I had been in the room for over an hour. Then my cell phone rang. Both agents jumped. I knew it was my husband calling, worried that I was going to miss the plane, so I had to ask if I could answer the phone. Both agents yelled NO.

The Waterpik was then removed from the table by both agents with a fortified (read GIANT) pair of tongs and I was left alone for another 15 minutes. I was really starting to sweat now as I only had 20 minutes until my plane was due to leave. Finally the female agent returned to gather up the bubble wrap and I said "if I let you keep the Waterpik can I just leave?"

She looked at me and said "you will have to speak with a supervisor". Phew! OK send him/or her in. A minute later another agent came in and said they were not finished analyzing the object and that I had to wait. I told him I was going to miss my plane if I waited any longer, and that he could keep the Waterpik. He made an odd (quizzical?) face and said he had to check something and left. Immediately the female agent stuck her head out of the door and told me I could leave.

I was stunned.

All of my stuff was laid out on the table and I literally swiped my arm down the length cramming everything inside the suitcase. I ran to the gate as they were making the last call to board. My husband was waiting for me.

I never saw the Waterpik again.

Did you do anything about this abuse of power? Like complain? Get their names and badge numbers? Ask them for a supervisor? Call your congressman and say "YOU JUST WASTED MY TAX DOLLARS"?


It's still America, you are still innocent until proven guilty, you should have made sure their bosses know what they did!

And if takes them an hour to find a waterpik and they still can't determine if it's a bomb does anyone else wonder why I think this is a waste LOL!

 

[Leighbra]

People who have no issues with TSA have never been separated from their child in line.

Don't give me "But babies could be weapons!" when it's your kid & they're crying & you aren't allowed to get to them, you're going to have strong feelings.

I don't know what it is about me. I'm 5'5", 120 pounds, that color of hair that isn't a color (don't call it mousey, or dishwater!), & I pack meticulously to avoid bothering TSA. No belts, no underwires. Does not matter, I get the full pat down. It's now been 11 years, without fail, I get the touch-every-item-in my-bag & rub-my-breasts pat down. I've NEVER once had an item taken, that's how carefully I pack.

What is it about me that gets me pulled out? I greet the agents as "officer", am respectful & quiet. My honest opinion is that I look like a person who won't complain & they need to hit a quota each shift.

My husband is 1/2 latino, 1/2 white. People can't ID his race & it makes them uncomfortable. People guess that he's: Italian, Mexican, white, Arab, Native American. He gets the full rub down, too, unless they're already putting me through the ringer. When we flew to Prague, in 2002, they took his shoes at SeaTac. Literally took them & did not give them back.

He had to fly overseas with no shoes on (or send his 7mo-pregnant wife & 4yo child to a foreign country by themselves for a funeral, OR throw $7000 away, for the "You can just go home!" people).

You better believe arriving in a foreign country with no shoes on is going to get you pulled out at customs, too.

 

[Leighbra]

I never saw the Waterpik again.

Maybe that's not such a bad thing. On a recently flight the agents swabbed every item in my bag with the circle papers used to detect explosives. That included swabbing the soles of my shoes AND THEN swabbing everything in my Sonicare case, including the toothbrush heads, with the same swab.

That's when I came unglued. You know, politely.

God knows what they were doing with your Waterpik.

 

[sam_gordon]

People who have no issues with TSA have never been separated from their child in line.

Yup. I don't have problems with the TSA and I haven't been separated from my children. I don't understand what your point is.

I don't know what it is about me. I'm 5'5", 120 pounds, that color of hair that isn't a color (don't call it mousey, or dishwater!), & I pack meticulously to avoid bothering TSA. No belts, no underwires. Does not matter, I get the full pat down. It's now been 11 years, without fail, I get the touch-every-item-in my-bag & rub-my-breasts pat down. I've NEVER once had an item taken, that's how carefully I pack.

What is it about me that gets me pulled out? I greet the agents as "officer", am respectful & quiet. My honest opinion is that I look like a person who won't complain & they need to hit a quota each shift.

I honestly wonder if you have a name that's on a watch list? Or maybe something in your travel history triggers the extra screening (read up thread for a direct example).

 

[hsmamato2]

To be fair, no one is forcing you on the plane. You can go home and take your stuff with you if you want

yup,seems fair...

 

[donkeyandshrek]

I keep quarters in an M&M container for the toll roads. I wag those quarters the whole trip. That got me flagged once.

I forgot about water bottles in my backpack once.

My daughter had a broken arm on one of our trips and that got us pulled aside and scanned and probed with extra stuff. When I followed by kid to "THAT" line, I got in a little trouble for leaving my stuff on the conveyor unattended, but I was more worried about where they were taking my kid! (and my sister was getting them off the conveyor, she just had her hands full)

 

[mikek]

As above I think it’s a bit arbitrary- but I tent to give the agents a break about a waterpik or whatever. They’re looking for a needle in a haystack with very little to go on.

One person looks at a screen of the xray and it shows colors or patterns. They’re taught that certain colors or patterns COULD be a bomb/weapon/whatever. So the waterpick or whatever showed the wrong colors and it freaked them out. It’s happened to me with books stacked the wrong way, or with a little stone globe trinket I picked up for my kid once. The people looking to terrorize us have learned to use ‘normal items’ like toner cartridges, shoes, water bottles, or even underwear to make bombs. If you are the TSA agent and someone comes through with a waterpik that shows the right pattern are you going to be the one to just say “ah never mind it’s a waterpik” and let it go. I wouldn’t.

That said- once they swabbed it a pile of times and nothing came back bad in the scanner they should have gotten over it quick. But who knows, maybe there is something in mouthwash /toothpaste/waterpik spit that has a signature similar to explosives and the swabs kept getting ‘inconclusive’ results? So now you’re a TSA agent charged with saving lives, making 15 dollars an hour (or whatever they get) and you have a thing that looks like a waterpik but it showed the xray agent the ‘wrong pattern’ and now the swab machine refuses to clear it. I’d be a little freaked too.