Airport Security - Question

[Phanuthier]

Just wondering, has anyone ever had something confiscated because it looked sort of weird or something? (obviously other then knives, guns, explosives, et al)

I just bought a whole wack of various equipment and I had a GPS stolen when I packed it in my checked in luggage a year ago, and I have some outdoor equipment thats a little expensive that I don't want in my check in luggage

Stuff I'd be bringing on board...

http://www.backcountrygear.com/images/BDFreewireQDS07.jpg

http://media.rei.com/media/606102.jpg

http://media.rei.com/media/mm/b0e7fce9-b0be-4541-be4c-40c538124c5b.jpg

https://www.mountainmailorder.co.za/images/uploads/Omega%20Pacific/link%20cam.jpg

[fotze]

I think that vagina stapler at the end may raise some eyebrows. or is that a goat circumsizer?

[Phanuthier]

ha well i'm really hoping they don't think its a vagina stapler, its right now packed on my carry on right now.

[ken0042]

Why don't you do like the rest of us and pack your expensive stuff inside your dirty underwear? It doesn't even have to be dirty, just make sure you ball it up as opposed to folding it.

Seriously, have you checked with Transport Canada? Last time I had something that they might have found questionable I emailed them, told them exactly what I was bringing and on what flight number, and they told me it was OK, and told me to print off the email in case security gave me a hard time.

[Phanuthier]

Why don't you do like the rest of us and pack your expensive stuff inside your dirty underwear? It doesn't even have to be dirty, just make sure you ball it up as opposed to folding it.

Seriously, have you checked with Transport Canada? Last time I had something that they might have found questionable I emailed them, told them exactly what I was bringing and on what flight number, and they told me it was OK, and told me to print off the email in case security gave me a hard time.
Thanks for the recommed! Will do

I have about a 20L capacity of this stuff...

[lucky1]

if its anything that security might define as a 'tool', you will have to check it....Going thru security recently, we had a few discussions regarding a small folding set of allen keys.....they would not let it thru as it was a tool.....

[photon]

Through the eyes of security

http://www.backcountrygear.com/images/BDFreewireQDS07.jpg

Bomb harness.

http://media.rei.com/media/606102.jpg

Finger amputation device.

http://media.rei.com/media/mm/b0e7fce9-b0be-4541-be4c-40c538124c5b.jpg

Garrote with magnetic fridge mount


https://www.mountainmailorder.co.za/images/uploads/Omega%20Pacific/link%20cam.jpg

Holy crap, Airplane wing remover.

[Kybosh]

I've flown with all of my climbing gear inside my checked luggage without any problems. That includes the suspicious looking white powder chalk bag. I'd recommend packing it all up inside your checked luggage and maybe get some insurance.

[bcb]

You may find yourself at the mail counter, shipping your stuff home.

[Phanuthier]

I've flown with all of my climbing gear inside my checked luggage without any problems. That includes the suspicious looking white powder chalk bag. I'd recommend packing it all up inside your checked luggage and maybe get some insurance.
I'm def checking in shoes, harness, ropes, webbing, slings and chalk bag. But the grigri, quickdraws, cams and tri-cams are sort of expensive - thats like $500. Most people would probably leave it, but just in case one of them might know what those are, they make take a 1of the 12 cam's or quickdraw's and hope I don't notice.

A few years ago, I left one of those tiny screw drivers in one of the small parts of my backpack and had that confiscated by security. It was one of those $1 cheap ones, so I just said Merry Christmas and that was that.

[photon]

I'll pay you $5 to put a sticker "airplane wing remover" on that last one, just to see what would happen.

[Jedi Ninja]

http://media.rei.com/media/606102.jpg





I can just imagine what that might look like if it went through the Xray machine at the right angle. I say check it. Given a 1/100 chance of my luggage being lost versus a 1/10 chance of a body cavity search, I'll take the former.

[Phanuthier]

I'll pay you $5 to put a sticker "airplane wing remover" on that last one, just to see what would happen.
I almost thought that would be pretty funny challenge, then realized airport security have no sense of humor and they'd throw my sorry ass in jail.

[Kybosh]

I'm def checking in shoes, harness, ropes, webbing, slings and chalk bag. But the grigri, quickdraws, cams and tri-cams are sort of expensive - thats like $500. Most people would probably leave it, but just in case one of them might know what those are, they make take a 1of the 12 cam's or quickdraw's and hope I don't notice.

A few years ago, I left one of those tiny screw drivers in one of the small parts of my backpack and had that confiscated by security. It was one of those $1 cheap ones, so I just said Merry Christmas and that was that.

Also, just clip and tie everything together so someone with sticky fingers won't be able to grab something on the fly. I really doubt that most people would even know what a cam is let alone want it.

[Puxlut]

Don't forget to put all snowglobes in your checked baggage!

(That was the one thing on the TSA website that I was surprised they listed. But I guess the liquid could be questionable...)

[Peanut]

Don't forget to put all snowglobes in your checked baggage!

(That was the one thing on the TSA website that I was surprised they listed. But I guess the liquid could be questionable...)

I'm surprised people travel with snow globes in the first place, really.

[photon]

I almost thought that would be pretty funny challenge, then realized airport security have no sense of humor and they'd throw my sorry ass in jail.

$10! :lshic:

Yeah, not worth it.

[Phanuthier]

Also, just clip and tie everything together so someone with sticky fingers won't be able to grab something on the fly. I really doubt that most people would even know what a cam is let alone want it.
Ok done. I slid my rope and rescue stuff through both ends of the quickdraws, jammed the loop with webbing, the grigri has a rope locked in by a locking biner which is also jammed with webbing, slid 6 slings through all my nuts and cams that also go connect to my harness belay loop and shoes, all tied together, tied through my rope and rescue ropes, both of which are in sport knot and they're also all connected by various locking biners that were also jammed with webbing. Everything is connected to everything inside of my suitecase, including various soccer equipment and some camping gear. The only way you can discounnect everything is to undo all the sport knots (one has a double fishermans after the figure 8) since I jammed all the biners (include the locking ones) ... hopefully airport security doesn't read CP now :w00t:

Now I hope I remember how to undue this

[Dion]

I almost thought that would be pretty funny challenge, then realized airport security have no sense of humor and they'd throw my sorry ass in jail.

Along with a cavity search :whistle:

[hockeycop]

Airport security have no authority to jail anyone, or perform cavity searches. If they come accross something suspected to be illegal, they call airport Police (who have brains and common sense).

On relatively rare occaisons, the airport security screeners will try to disarm police/immigration officers while they perform their duties... Needless to say, it doesn't go over very well. It's funny when the cops/immigration are told to go through metal detectors and the response is "WTF? Really? I have a mini bar of visible weapons on my belt, and I am allowed to have them".

My point is, Airport Screeners lack common sense and/or brains. Best advice is to get authorization from Transport Canada (as previously suggested), because you don't want some half wit taking your stuff when they don't really need to.

[kermitology]

I've hand carried a PIN diode assembly (which is a controlled good mind you) across the border.. twice!

Sometimes, you just confuse someone so much that they have no idea what to do with you, so they let you go.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

I'm surprised people travel with snow globes in the first place, really.

Hell, I'm surprised people even buy snow globes!

[awildermode]

My point is, Airport Screeners lack common sense and/or brains. Best advice is to get authorization from Transport Canada (as previously suggested), because you don't want some half wit taking your stuff when they don't really need to.

i once got stopped because there was "some sort of hook or knife" in my backpack. i could not 'help' the idiot go through my bag as i may blow up the airport...

anyway, it was a binder/folder with a metal logo on it...this logo

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4652118/89963_Full.jpg

there is your "hook or knife". IDIOT!!!

[Rerun]

Airport security have no authority to jail anyone, or perform cavity searches. If they come accross something suspected to be illegal, they call airport Police (who have brains and common sense).

On relatively rare occaisons, the airport security screeners will try to disarm police/immigration officers while they perform their duties... Needless to say, it doesn't go over very well. It's funny when the cops/immigration are told to go through metal detectors and the response is "WTF? Really? I have a mini bar of visible weapons on my belt, and I am allowed to have them".

My point is, Airport Screeners lack common sense and/or brains. Best advice is to get authorization from Transport Canada (as previously suggested), because you don't want some half wit taking your stuff when they don't really need to.

Airport Police? Brains and common sense?

Those are the last idiots you want to arrive on the scene. The airport police are the RCMP and the last I heard they still carry tasers and they're not shy about using them.

[photon]

Get one of these!

http://www.boingboing.net/metalplatessdfv.jpg
http://boingboing.net/2008/10/01/metal-plates-send-me.html

[jolinar of malkshor]

Airport Police? Brains and common sense?

Those are the last idiots you want to arrive on the scene. The airport police are the RCMP and the last I heard they still carry tasers and they're not shy about using them.

Not in Calgary.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Question.

You can't take liquid water through airport security. Can you take frozen water through?

[Phanuthier]

I've hand carried a PIN diode assembly (which is a controlled good mind you) across the border.. twice!

Sometimes, you just confuse someone so much that they have no idea what to do with you, so they let you go.
Ha, I'd love to know the conversation there. A pin-whatnow?

[keenan87]

I love how people are so offended for them to check suspicious items. Seriously, it may be your Hot Wheels sticker so for next time they should let everything go because it might be a sticker?

Its the same people whining when something bad happens. Just let them do their jobs and be cooperative as I for one would like to have everyone fully checked that is on the same flight as me.

[Phanuthier]

I love how people are so offended for them to check suspicious items. Seriously, it may be your Hot Wheels sticker so for next time they should let everything go because it might be a sticker?

Its the same people whining when something bad happens. Just let them do their jobs and be cooperative as I for one would like to have everyone fully checked that is on the same flight as me.
...ok?

[Hemi-Cuda]

i once got stopped because there was "some sort of hook or knife" in my backpack. i could not 'help' the idiot go through my bag as i may blow up the airport...

anyway, it was a binder/folder with a metal logo on it...this logo

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4652118/89963_Full.jpg

there is your "hook or knife". IDIOT!!!

how are they an idiot? they can't see the hot wheels text on their x-ray, just a piece of metal in the shape of a hook. are they not supposed to check suspicious items?

i'm thinking there was an idiot in this situation, but it wasn't the baggage checker

[lucky1]

They can do their jobs....but they dont have to be asshats while they are doing it....
which a large majority seem to be

[4X4]

They can do their jobs....but they dont have to be asshats while they are doing it....
which a large majority seem to be


While I have encountered ass hats while going through security, the vast majority are just people like you and me that are sick and tired of dealing with idiots at work. There's no excuse nowadays for showing up at security with a swiss army knife in your bag and expecting them to let it slide. We all know that 9/11 changed everything forever, so why does the general public have to make their jobs miserable?

I get through no problem because I don't joke with them, I look them in the eye, and I take off my belt beforehand and toss it in the crate... It's not hard. If there's something that resembles an object that could potentially gut a fish, they're not being unreasonable for opening the bag.

That said, I think that wilder was more mocking the fact that the person searched for the object and didn't recognize that it was a piece of aluminum stuck to a binder. Like he was digging deeper for some other, more nefarious object. At least, that's how I read it.

[Phanuthier]

I love how people are so offended for them to check suspicious items. Seriously, it may be your Hot Wheels sticker so for next time they should let everything go because it might be a sticker?

Its the same people whining when something bad happens. Just let them do their jobs and be cooperative as I for one would like to have everyone fully checked that is on the same flight as me.
oh nevermind to my post, i thought you were replying to mine (totally pissed the hot wheels post) and thought "wtf?"

haha sorry

[awildermode]

how are they an idiot? they can't see the hot wheels text on their x-ray, just a piece of metal in the shape of a hook. are they not supposed to check suspicious items?

i'm thinking there was an idiot in this situation, but it wasn't the baggage checker


it took the guy 15 minutes, and he pretty much laid out everything. all i had in the bag was a jacket, shirt, snacks, keys, some money, pens, and the binder. he went through it three times.

kept saying it was a "hook or knife"


That said, I think that wilder was more mocking the fact that the person searched for the object and didn't recognize that it was a piece of aluminum stuck to a binder. Like he was digging deeper for some other, more nefarious object. At least, that's how I read it.

yeah, pretty much. for the record, i was nice to the guy. offered to help, but i guess they think you can 'tamper with the evidence' if you touch anything.

when he found, i could tell he was relieved (as was i).

[hockeycop]

I love how people are so offended for them to check suspicious items. Seriously, it may be your Hot Wheels sticker so for next time they should let everything go because it might be a sticker?

Its the same people whining when something bad happens. Just let them do their jobs and be cooperative as I for one would like to have everyone fully checked that is on the same flight as me.

I have zero problem with them removing weapons and doing their jobs. I am one-hundred percent behind them on that. It's when they don't have a clue what they are really doing that gets under peoples skin. The hot-wheels sticker as appearing on an x-ray warrants a look, but not a 15 minute exam. Trying to take the weapons off of a cops belt doesn't make much sense either (trust me, I've seen this a few times).

[hockeycop]

Airport Police? Brains and common sense?

Those are the last idiots you want to arrive on the scene. The airport police are the RCMP and the last I heard they still carry tasers and they're not shy about using them.

I can't really comment on YVR because of what I do for a living, but in the situation we are talking about, the Airport Police would be your saviour (regardless of it being RCMP or other agency).

Please don't judge all Police Officers based on the actions of a few.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

I get through no problem because I don't joke with them, I look them in the eye, and I take off my belt beforehand and toss it in the crate... It's not hard.

I've never had an issue with wearing a belt through the scanner. While the belts I've worn through don't have big metal buckles, they do have a small metal buckle. Metal watches don't set it off either.

[You Need a Thneed]

Question.

You can't take liquid water through airport security. Can you take frozen water through?

No, I would really doubt it. You can though, take as much liquid along as you want if you have a young child along and the liquids are in a diaper bag.

[Phaneuf3]

I've never had an issue with wearing a belt through the scanner. While the belts I've worn through don't have big metal buckles, they do have a small metal buckle. Metal watches don't set it off either.
The ones in canada don't seem that bad... the metal detectors in germany i've set off with only the metal button and fly on my shorts.

[kermitology]

Ha, I'd love to know the conversation there. A pin-whatnow?

Excuse me sir, what is this?

It's a switch.

A switch?

Yes.

Really?

Yes.

What does it switch?

High power radar for terrain mapping.

Uhhhh...

It's harmless.

OK sir, have a nice flight.

[FurnaceFace]

I could see some of the climbing gear raising an eyebrow. The grigri and the cams might be a problem. I do like the idea of sending the pics off to Transport Canada.

As a traveller who adopts the "carry on only" philosophy whenever possible I've been checked a few times. I pack my things tightly so I can fit it into one bag so some things are hard to tell what they are. I have had very good luck asking the screeners what they see and then I can generally remember what it is and tell them exactly where it is and what it is.

I generally find if you're polite with them and look like you know how to travel (you've pulled your belt off, popped off your metal watch, and have nothing in your pockets before they ask you) they'll treat you well. The only time in recent memory I had a problem was in Africa the lady went through my entire bag looking for something but wouldn't tell me what. In the end I believe it was a bag of camera filters, adapters, etc which threw them off.

I've also had them confused as to what this was:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31445X4R4KL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

I had to tell the screeners it's a dive computer. They laughed and then swung the monitor over so I could see it. In the bag it was sideways so the profile was something with electronics with a long thin "thing" running out the top of it. I'd have wondered what it was too.

Best advise I have is if it's a weird shape, especially metal, then put it on the top of your bag so they can get as it easy or better yet pull it out of the bag and put it in a bucket and inform the screener what it is as they look at it.

[awildermode]

Best advise I have is if it's a weird shape, especially metal, then put it on the top of your bag so they can get as it easy or better yet pull it out of the bag and put it in a bucket and inform the screener what it is as they look at it.

exactly what i did with my binder on the return flight. they did not even bother to look at it.

[4X4]

I've never had an issue with wearing a belt through the scanner. While the belts I've worn through don't have big metal buckles, they do have a small metal buckle. Metal watches don't set it off either.

Really? I just wear normal belts as well, but they've triggered the sensor a couple of times, so now I just take it off beforehand.

One thing that I'm curious about... Are we allowed to bring lighters or matches through? They've never confiscated mine. You'd think they would, right? I always expect them to, but they never do.

[evilcougar]

Really? I just wear normal belts as well, but they've triggered the sensor a couple of times, so now I just take it off beforehand.

One thing that I'm curious about... Are we allowed to bring lighters or matches through? They've never confiscated mine. You'd think they would, right? I always expect them to, but they never do.

I think they gave up on that. When i went to vancouver in April, i went thru security with my wine bottle opener in my carry on (always gotta be prepared) and like 3 lighters in my purse. All they took was my toothpaste. Nevermind the cork screw that can take out an eye, or the lighter that i could light things/people on fire with, clearly the toothpaste is the threat.

[Titan]

Excuse me sir, what is this?

It's a switch.

A switch?

Yes.

Really?

Yes.

What does it switch?

High power radar for terrain mapping.

Uhhhh...

It's harmless.

OK sir, have a nice flight.


These are not the droids you are looking for...

[jammies]

Has anyone recently been through immigration/customs at the Calgary airport and seen the absolutely beautiful blonde woman who works at one of the screening desks? I tell ya, if it hadn't been 3 in the morning when I went thru last time, I would've insisted on a strip search.

[ken0042]

I think they gave up on that. When i went to vancouver in April, i went thru security with my wine bottle opener in my carry on (always gotta be prepared) and like 3 lighters in my purse. All they took was my toothpaste. Nevermind the cork screw that can take out an eye, or the lighter that i could light things/people on fire with, clearly the toothpaste is the threat.

My personal favourite that doesn't make sense- they won't let you bring on a knife; I get that part. However after I go through security I can go to Chillis and order a steak, and be given a steak knife at that point. How hard would it be to just step out of that kiosk with the knife? As long as you leav enough cash to cover your tab, I doubt the waiter would really care; just assume you had to run to catch your flight.

[evilcougar]

My personal favourite that doesn't make sense- they won't let you bring on a knife; I get that part. However after I go through security I can go to Chillis and order a steak, and be given a steak knife at that point. How hard would it be to just step out of that kiosk with the knife? As long as you leav enough cash to cover your tab, I doubt the waiter would really care; just assume you had to run to catch your flight.

Oh totally. I also used to love getting lighters taken away that were loosely in my purse, but, not the mini one that i had in my wallet in the coin part. Or the 2 others i would put in my checked suitcase. And then follow that up with once you go thru security you can stop to get smokes AND A LIGHTER.....i don't get it....

[hockeycop]

Has anyone recently been through immigration/customs at the Calgary airport and seen the absolutely beautiful blonde woman who works at one of the screening desks? I tell ya, if it hadn't been 3 in the morning when I went thru last time, I would've insisted on a strip search.

Get referred to Immigration Secondary! Stocked pond in there!

Downside is that it's next to impossible to do if you're Canadian.

[Russic]

Just be sure to wear a tshirt that reads "I am not a terrorist" and you should be fine.

http://boingboing.net/images/iamnotaterroristshirt.jpg

[awildermode]

about the whole water thing. i saw on some news show...

they do not treat it as a 'real threat'. they just throw your water bottle (toothpaste, gel, whatever) away in the trash bin.

if it was a 'threat', they should properly dispose of it as if it was nuclear waste or a bomb.

knives are different, they usually do not explode. so, tossing them in a bin makes sense. but imagine a bin full of this water, gel, shampoo...if a 4oz bottle of explosive liquid can blow up a plane...what about a 50 gallon trash bin full of of that stuff, sitting just around the corner.

[Phanuthier]

well that was all for not, just had my bags go through security and the women working the xray just ran my stuff through without even looking at the screen since she was pre-occupied by a side conversation

expect my plane to hit some building tonight:w00t:

[photon]

Epic lol.

[lucky1]

I literally travel thru 3 different countries once every month.....and the security agents are just huge weinee's in Calgary compared to others....
And dont get me started on the customs officers in Vancouver....the most unhappiest bunch of folks on a consistent basis, hands down

[Dion]

And dont get me started on the customs officers in Vancouver....the most unhappiest bunch of folks on a consistent basis, hands down

Isn't that the truth. I have yet to see one crack a smile.

Must be something in thier contract that allows them to be that way. Guess they hate thier jobs.

[Jimmy Stang]

The ones in canada don't seem that bad... the metal detectors in germany i've set off with only the metal button and fly on my shorts.

I find that it varies airport by airport, day by day. Some days you walk right through, and other days you get the royal treatment. I usually wear the same belt, same shoes, etc. when travelling so I notice times when it seems like the machines are set a little more sensitively than others.

I have surgical plates in my arm, which is also fun on occasion. I like to let them try and figure it out for a few seconds before I tell them. Most of the time they don't cause a problem though.

I also have to travel with a projector from time to time. Some airports want it out to be swabbed, just like a computer. Other airports just put it through the x-ray machine like normal.

[fotze]

expect my plane to hit some building tonight:w00t:Is that a threat.:eek:

[4X4]

well that was all for not, just had my bags go through security and the women working the xray just ran my stuff through without even looking at the screen since she was pre-occupied by a side conversation

expect my plane to hit some building tonight:w00t:

Was she eating a large hawaiian from pizza 73?

[Phanuthier]

Is that a threat.:eek:
I tried, but they weren't intimidated by the vagina stapler so I just went back to my seat. (facepalm)

[FurnaceFace]

I also laugh at what they take. You can't (maybe you can now) take your nail clippers with a metal file on them but they don't bat an eye at your metal pen. Those are as "dangerous" as half the stuff they confiscate. They also don't tie your hands behind your back. As Sean Connery has shown us your thumb is a deadly weapon.

I think it's evened out a little bit. You can now take your bic razor on board...that is until someone jury rigs one so the blade pops out easily and uses it (along with their metal pen and bionic thumb perhaps) to hijack a plane.

[ken0042]

I just don't think you will see planes being hijacked with small weapons any more. During 9/11 the passengers sat still, because in the past that was how you survived a hijacking. But with the last plane, we know that once the passengers found out their plane was on a suicide mission; they decided to act. (Note I tired to word that carefully to not turn this into a 9/11 conspiracy thread.)

Same thing with the "shoe bomber." He was taken down and held down by the passengers. It seems to me that they are now making sure people cannot bring on components that could be used to make an explosive; because it wouldn't take much of an explosion to bring down a plane. In doing this some of the allowed/disallowed items might not make sense.

[kermitology]

I literally travel thru 3 different countries once every month.....and the security agents are just huge weinee's in Calgary compared to others....
And dont get me started on the customs officers in Vancouver....the most unhappiest bunch of folks on a consistent basis, hands down

Vancouver the first time:
Where were you? China. Why? For business. What do you do? I design GPS receivers. For who? Uhh.. for the consumer market place? What were you working on in China? I was mostly editing proposal documents. For what? A GPS receiver design proposal. I see.. Did you bring anything back? Yes, a cell phone. How much was it? $200. What brand? Motorola. Anything else? No. Thank you.

Vancouver the second time:
Where were you? Malaysia. What were you doing there? Installing parts for my companies airborne radar mapping system and operating the radar. Thank you (she smiles at me)

Toronto:
Do you have anything to declare? Yes, 13.5L of beer. What's your limit? 8.5L. Well.. at least you know your limit.

My buddy in Calgary:
Do you have anything to declare? Yes, 47L of beer. What? 47L of beer. How did you pack that? I used a spare pelican case. Wow.. nicely done. Thanks.

I rarely get hassled by customs these days. I'm also a registered Designated Official for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, so I can't help but think that helps. I have some form of clearance with the government..

[keenan87]

oh nevermind to my post, i thought you were replying to mine (totally pissed the hot wheels post) and thought "wtf?"

haha sorry

np