I think I'm on some kind of TSA list now

[oboeguy]

It started in '04, with a 5lb jug of peanut butter. I think it must have looked suspicious in the luggage scanner. Why was it in the luggage? Five weeks of backpacking around Europe, that's why! Anyhow, recently we've taken a couple of trips with folding bikes in our suitcases and we've had at last a couple of our suitcases inspected every freaking time. The TSA hasn't done the best job with repacking the bikes either, despite the pictures I've taped to the inside of the suitcases showing the steps. Some small parts that were in a bike suitcase have been lost, a couple of headsets have needed replacing (possibly my fault as I've since learned to pack the bikes better), bags have been delayed to later flights, etc. Before someone comes at me demanding Do You Love Freedom?(TM), yes, I do, but do I feel any safer knowing that time is being wasted on my bags being inspected every time I travel? Nope. /weakrant

 

[NuclearNed]

quit travelling with your buddy Jack

 

[oboeguy]

Jack?

 

[habib89]

i think they're checking your bags cause you have these big metal frames in your bag, and they have no idea what they are in the xray... or they think you're hiding something along with the frames... i'd definately check your bag if i saw a whole bunch of metal in it

 

[lokiju]

Most likely because it's just showing metal on a x-ray so they wanna open it up to see whats going on and make sure it's not a issue.

I'm sure if it looks out of the normal to them on a scan then they'll open it up, doesn't seem like they're picking on you really from what you've told us at least.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: oboeguy
Jack?

Hi, Jack!

 

[oboeguy]

Yeah but it's not only the bike bags that are getting inspected. I found yet another "your bag has been inspected" slip in the big duffel bag too. I also had my name called on one of the flights to make sure I was on it (one of those "your bag is on you better be on" deals). <sigh>

Edit: and a non-bike bag was the lastest delayed bag. WTF? At least it was delivered a mere 14-15 hours later. :roll:

 

[habib89]

are you sure you're not being paranoid? maybe they just lost your ticket, or it didn't get checked at the gate, so they were making sure you were there..

and if they're checking your bike bags, they'd obviously check your other bags as well... hell, i've had my bags checked, and i didn't have anything in them but clothes.. it happens.. and when they're delayed, it doesn't necessarily mean it was becausre of security.. they could have stuck it on another plane by accident

 

[gsellis]

I travel all the time and frequently have them inspected (find the TSA card). Anytime there is something tubular and metal or with wires, it almost always is inspected. Just the way of things... Carry tripods and video cables (firewire, 3pin XLR) in my bags on trips.

 

[oboeguy]

I've been travelling all my life and never had a bag delayed until I got my first TSA slip. Am I being paranoid?

 

[BoomerD]

Every time I go to Maui, (such a hotbed of terrorist activities) my bags get inspected. The stupid bstards even manage to lose/cut my TSA approved baggage locks. EVERY TRIP! I guess that will teach me not to trust the local baggage handlers.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Be glad you're not me.

For two years, every time I went to check in for a flight they would take my ID to the back and make me wait in line for 20 minutes while they checked me out. EVERY TIME! When I asked them why I had to go through this they just handed me the TSA letter they give to everyone who gets checked out.

So I got a phone number and called to find out why this was happening to me. How did I make the TSA watch list? Turns out the spelling of my name is SIMILAR (not identical - different social security number) to someone who is on the list. So I asked, "Why, if you know that I'm not that guy, and I have a different name, and my ID has been confirmed several times, do I still have to go through this?"

The answer was "I don't know." But since that call (about 18 months ago) I haven't been stopped anymore.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Every time I go to Maui, (such a hotbed of terrorist activities) my bags get inspected. The stupid bstards even manage to lose/cut my TSA approved baggage locks. EVERY TRIP! I guess that will teach me not to trust the local baggage handlers.

Ha... My Maui trips were the only ones that I didn't get nailed. We fly chartered planes out of Alaska.

 

[gsellis]

BTW, if you were on a special list, you would know it. It would be painful going through the search area. You guys are just paranoid.

 

[ITJunkie]

It's seems obvious by your post that you aren't carrying "normal, everyday items" in your luggage. It's also obvious, at least to me, that said items would make searching your bags more frequent. Welcome to post 9-11.

 

[PingSpike]

Don't complain. You'll only get upgraded to the mandatory butt cavity search list.

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: ITJunkie
It's seems obvious by your post that you aren't carrying "normal, everyday items" in your luggage. It's also obvious, at least to me, that said items would make searching your bags more frequent. Welcome to post 9-11.

Bicycles and PB aren't everyday items? Gimme a break. Airlines even have provisions for charging more for bikes in luggage (though I get out of it by packing my folding bikes into stadard suitcases).