Posted by Stephen, Idstein Germany on April 19, 2009:

These stories are funny. I have traveled around the world a few times. Since 9/11, I have seen many "interesting" things. A few weeks after 9/11 I was going through the security check point in Frankfurt, Germany and there was an American (of Arabian descent). The security took him off to the side and asked if it was his bag, he said yes... they pulled a hunting knife out of his bag. I didn't consider this person a threat, but bringing a hunting knife on a plane is just "plane" stupid.

A few years later (same airport) I was boarding a flight to the US, there was not one but two security checks. At the second check the took my nail clipper away because it had a nail file attached to it. I was not happy about it, but ok... whatever. While I was on the plane I looked 1 row back and to the left... there was a little old lady that had a scissors and knitting needles. So... If I understand this correctly, a nail clipper with a nail file is dangerous, but scissors and knitting needles are not?

Or was it the fact the I was wearing a suit and tie that made me look dangerous? I guess the next time I'll wear a flowered dress. I may look weird but apparently not dangerous.

I have offered many times to show up in a bathrobe and shower sandals to make their jobs easier. But this offer is very often politely refused.

Posted by Tom - Chestertown Maryland on June 22, 2009:

There was a tremendous change in the perception of aircraft hijackings in the mind of the public that happened on 9-11 which the TSA, behind its Maginot Line of X-Ray machines, gas sniffers, and magnetometers, seems unaware.

Aircraft passengers now view a hijacking attempt as an immediate mortal threat, and will take action to counter that threat even at risk of their own lives.

The TSA can not strip me of weapons no matter how hard thy try: My shoelaces, my belt, my keys, telescoping luggage handles, (sporks) - items limited only by my imagination and desperation.

A terror attack can not happen again in the same way. It did not even work the forth time it was tried on that day.

Vigilance and intellegence are needed to anticipate and thwart the next terrorist attack, neither of which can be found by confiscating my nail clippers and my tweezers.

Posted by Owen, Chocowinity, NC on April 25, 2010:

Tom is absolutely right. I've thought that the best security measure would be to issue each passenger a knife so any hijacker would be faced with dozens (or hundreds on large planes) of armed opponents. Unfortunately, some people could not be trusted not to injure themselves or others, so I don't recommend this. Confiscating nail files and toothpaste does nothing to increase security.

Posted by Luke in DC on October 6, 2010:

As a computer tech, I travel a lot and carry tools. I usually check them in my bags to avoid any unnecessary issues (although I've had TSA confiscate or steal expensive tools from my bag). I flew through 3 airports, 2 of which were international. On my final leg home, I went through a bag check again. My backpack contained a small keychain with a folding flat blade & folding philips head screw driver on it. When I say "small", I mean "SMALL". The entire length of the screwdriver when opened was an inch. At the most I could have poked someone in the eye. The TSA agent claimed they were "sharp instruments". He offered to let me mail it to myself for "$9.95" I refused since the screwdrivers cost a whopping $1.99. What was irritating was that in the same bag, amongst the numerous metal pens, was a hard plastic "spudger" These tools have a very sharp pointed end and a flat bladed end. It's made of a hard plastic that can be sharpened to a razor point. All I would have needed is a small flat file to sharpen it and some duct tape for a handle and I'd have a very deadly shiv. The point being, if prisoners can turn toothbrushes into deadly weapons, what is the point of confiscating minuscule items because they are metal? Between that, and having to remove your shoes AND belt now, I'm with Stephen. We are rapidly approaching the day when we have to show up in a robe and shower slippers.

Posted by Phil, Mississippi on January 9, 2012:

My 10-year-old grandson's recent TSA experience:

He traveled to Atlanta with his new "Magic 8 Ball" right after Christmas, to visit his father. On the return, TSA in Atlanta would not let him bring his 8 Ball through screening. They said it was a "suspicious device" and, despite a 10-year-old's tears, threw it in their discard pile.

Neither he nor his 13-year-old sister were able to convince TSA it was a harmless gift. Perhaps the Magic 8 Ball would have said that TSA's intelligence, "Cannot be determined at this time."

---

"Outlook not so good". -rc

Posted by Neil, Australia on January 28, 2012:

I have a stainless steel plate in my leg. I was stopped in Hong Kong about 30 years ago. The metal detectors spotted something apart from coins and belt buckle. The mood changed. Suddenly guys with sub-machine guns appeared out of nowhere. I smiled a lot and move very slowly while I explained what it was. They took me to a quiet area and I had to take my trousers down so they could run the metal detector over a very obvious 12 inch scar. Then all was well. No other airport has commented, including Tel Aviv. But I have not tried USA recently!

---

If you can pass in Israel, I am quite confident you will pass here -- as long as you don't have a Medal of Honor.... -rc

Posted by Gilah, Israel on January 29, 2012:

I traveled to the USA this past summer for the first time since before 9-11. I was gone 6 weeks and did a lot of flying and went through lots of security checks. Twice TSA saw fit to open one of my checked bags to inspect it without me being present. The second time was when I returned to Israel. Evidently one of my pairs of undies was deemed a security threat and was removed from my luggage and no explanation was provided. I really must be more careful in the future of what I pack!

---

I guess they're still sensitive about that "underwear bomber".... -rc

Posted by Ian, Malaysia on January 30, 2012:

Did Elwood Menear get exonerated in the end? I Googled but couldn't find any report more than a month after the incident.

---

Good question! Apparently so: his current Facebook page notes he's a pilot for US Air -- "1984 to present". -rc

Posted by Brian, CT on January 30, 2012:

As to your response to Neil from Australia above, Randy...I wouldn't be so sure that getting through Israeli security means he'll be able to get through (in)security in America. I forget where I read this, but basically it boils down to a key difference: we look for weapons, Israel looks for terrorists.

I need to figure out where I read that.

Posted by Keith, Reading, UK on January 31, 2012:

I don't remember when I first heard the term "theatre of terror" (or its equivalent "theatre of security"), but that is surely what is happening. The powers that be need to convince people that they are "doing something" about terrorism, and making it visible at airports is one way. What Brian says is probably close to the truth. It's a lot harder to get into (or out of) Israel than the US in the first place, and with its history of terrorism Israel needs to do things that work not just put on a show.

On the other hand, I think people are often unfair to the security staff. It must be a pretty tedious job, with smart alecs to deal with all day. Also, the staff are human, they will make mistakes, be inconsistent and so forth.

On the other other hand (!), I have never had a problem (had to throw away a very small pen-knife I had forgotten on a keychain once, but as it was from a Christmas cracker you can get some idea of its value), so maybe my experience is not typical.