Post your TSA experience here

[fire400]

don't look suspicious. don't look stupid, and especially don't act stupid.

 

[Soundmanred]

No negative experiences with TSA here. I did recently fly two directions with a large full bottle of perfume in my purse though, accidentally. Got home and realized it was there and was surprised it didn't get flagged and thrown out. Glad they didn't though, it's kinda expensive. Does kinda make me think their bag checks aren't doing everything they're supposed to do though...

Reminds me of last year flying with my wife and daughter.
My wife had recieved a new Oklahoma driver's license with her married name on it a few months before, and just after we got it the plastic film with the authenticity holograms came off. We forgot about it and got worried when they put our licenses under the light box thingamajig at security.
Now I'm not so sure there's anything in that box.

Could have easily been fake...

 

[NoCreativity]

I know how to empty my pockets, i walked through the metal detector and thats it. they did scan my bag 2 times though, dont know why.

They always stop at my backpack. I think it's the phone and MP3 charger that makes them do a double take.

I have also gone numerous times through with liquids I forgot to take out of my backpack, never been flagged for that.

Only run-in with TSA was after the nude x-ray machine, the guy still ran his hand around the inside waist of my pants. Not sure what that was for. Also got the hand swab on another trip simply because I was standing there and the guy had no one else to check.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Male, mid twenties, of east Indian descent (not dark skinned and born in America though).

Never had a bad experience with the tsa while flying domestically, though I'm not retarded and remove the shoes, belt, jacket, all the stuff from my pockets and don't give the screeners a hard time ever (even if running late for a flight).

Only remotely "bad" experience I've ever had was flying back from Mexico; gf's dad (who's white) smuggled in about 100 Cuban cigars on his person while the screeners gave me endless shit about a stupid travel toothpaste and how they could make my life difficult over it.

No biggie in the end though.

 

[allisolm]

In September my husband and I flew from Florida to Washington, DC (with the obligatory stopover in Atlanta.) We both used our retired military issued IDs. The TSA agents who checked them, without exception, both going and coming home, looked at his ID, put it down, shook his hand and said "Thank you, Colonel, for your service." I don't remember anyone ever doing that for him before, although I have seen it with active duty soldiers in uniform. I was very impressed and appreciative. I don't know if they're instructed to do that or not, but, either way, it was very nice.

 

[ussfletcher]

They wiped my hands to check for explosives.

 

[SSSnail]

So here I am, at SFO awaiting my plane. I got through security without any fuzz, the girl in front of me? Not so much. There was a full body scan thingy at the gate, right next to a regular metal detector. The girl told the TSA agent "I don't want to go through that body scan thing" - big mistake. Over 9000 alarms went off, "OPT OUT's" was heard throughout the terminals and they escorted her away to be felt-up and molested in private. Me? I just quietly walked to the metal detector, and emerged on the other side with 100% less radiation. :awe:

 

[thegimp03]

I went to Vegas over the weekend. Got the full body scan going there and the metal detector coming back, but no pat downs, ball-cupping, or strip searches. Next time I'm in the airport and thinking that I might get a pat down, I'll consider saving up a nice big fart for that TSA agent.

 

[911paramedic]

So here I am, at SFO awaiting my plane. I got through security without any fuzz, the girl in front of me? Not so much. There was a full body scan thingy at the gate, right next to a regular metal detector. The girl told the TSA agent "I don't want to go through that body scan thing" - big mistake. Over 9000 alarms went off, "OPT OUT's" was heard throughout the terminals and they escorted her away to be felt-up and molested in private. Me? I just quietly walked to the metal detector, and emerged on the other side with 100% less radiation. :awe:

Private is if you ask for it, they can't make you go into a private room.

 

[rudeguy]

In September my husband and I flew from Florida to Washington, DC (with the obligatory stopover in Atlanta.) We both used our retired military issued IDs. The TSA agents who checked them, without exception, both going and coming home, looked at his ID, put it down, shook his hand and said "Thank you, Colonel, for your service." I don't remember anyone ever doing that for him before, although I have seen it with active duty soldiers in uniform. I was very impressed and appreciative. I don't know if they're instructed to do that or not, but, either way, it was very nice.

I keep hearing all the negative things about the TSA...these horror stories. But every single person that works for the TSA that I have heard talk (yes even as a caller on talk radio), the TSA supervisor that I met, everyone employed by them seems to be very respectful and professional. Its hard for me to like any government agency but the TSA has really impressed me. Your story just adds to my thinking.

How many millions of people fly in our country every day? I think the fact that there are so few "horror stories" shows that these guys are doing a great job. Sure there is going to be a bad apple or two but an extremely large percentage do their jobs very well.

Its great that they treated you and your husband that way. Please let him know that random internet strangers that have no clue what he looks like are grateful for his service.

 

[BUTCH1]

Wow, now I'm afraid to stuff my weed into a conditioner bottle anymore, it's just not worth the risk..

 

[Lithium381]

I havne't flown since 1999, so it's been a while for me. No real issues going to LAS from SFO, but then on the way back they took my wire-cutter/crimper....the blade on there is about 1/2" and it's INSIDE the handle....and they didn't take it on the way there. They suggested i check my bag, but that's $25 w/ virgin america.... and for a $5 pair of wirecutters? no wonder the airlines charge so much to check a bag now, if you want to take anything with you, you basically have to check a bag. it's bull!!