- Jul 2, 2004
- 3,492
- 1
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My girlfriend and I were the last ones in line to board our plane. As we were making our way through the gate, we were stopped for a random check of our carry-on luggage. My carry-on luggage consisted of just my camera and its accessories....No big deal right?
WRONG
I watched in horror as the TSA agent pulled out my 5 inch switch blade. He immediately looked and me and yelled, "whoa buddy where do you think you are going with this?" I immediately began to picture myself in a dark room with agents bombarding me with incriminating questions as I hopelessly try to defend my innocence.
The agent immediately padded me down then ordered me to sit. He asked for my drivers license and various other questions as to why I would bring a knife onto the plane. I told him that I always bring my knife with me when I go on hikes. The places that I like to hike are well known for mountain lion attacks, so I bring the knife as a precaution. Since the reason I hike is for photographs, the knife is always kept in my camera bag. Unfortunately I completely forgot that the knife was still in there. He was absolutely shocked at the size of the knife and began inquiring as to how I managed to make it through baggage inspection/metal detectors. I replied, "I sure as hell would like to know how I did that too."
By this time I had about 10 TSA Agents surrounding me as I waited for the agent that was questioning me to get off the phone with his superior. As I sat there nervously pondering what his superior's decision might be, the agent told me that I was free to go. He then asked if I would like to check in the knife or release it to them. I of course opted to release it to them. I thanked the agent and told him I was extremely sorry for the scare, especially at a time like this. He said not to worry about it and that this does happen from time to time. He also said that he couldn't believe that a knife of this size could make it through all the security checkpoints.
His last words to me were, "well at least now you have a good story to tell!"
Picture of knife:
http://co2capsules-powerlets.co.uk/images/AB4011-5inch.jpg
WRONG
I watched in horror as the TSA agent pulled out my 5 inch switch blade. He immediately looked and me and yelled, "whoa buddy where do you think you are going with this?" I immediately began to picture myself in a dark room with agents bombarding me with incriminating questions as I hopelessly try to defend my innocence.
The agent immediately padded me down then ordered me to sit. He asked for my drivers license and various other questions as to why I would bring a knife onto the plane. I told him that I always bring my knife with me when I go on hikes. The places that I like to hike are well known for mountain lion attacks, so I bring the knife as a precaution. Since the reason I hike is for photographs, the knife is always kept in my camera bag. Unfortunately I completely forgot that the knife was still in there. He was absolutely shocked at the size of the knife and began inquiring as to how I managed to make it through baggage inspection/metal detectors. I replied, "I sure as hell would like to know how I did that too."
By this time I had about 10 TSA Agents surrounding me as I waited for the agent that was questioning me to get off the phone with his superior. As I sat there nervously pondering what his superior's decision might be, the agent told me that I was free to go. He then asked if I would like to check in the knife or release it to them. I of course opted to release it to them. I thanked the agent and told him I was extremely sorry for the scare, especially at a time like this. He said not to worry about it and that this does happen from time to time. He also said that he couldn't believe that a knife of this size could make it through all the security checkpoints.
His last words to me were, "well at least now you have a good story to tell!"
Picture of knife:
http://co2capsules-powerlets.co.uk/images/AB4011-5inch.jpg
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