[JJNA]

http://gunsandbutter.blogspot.com/2005/06/knife-in-purse-passes-security.html

How my wife's Spyderco Ladybug passed Seatac (Seattle, WA) airport security in a carry-on.

To keep this gun-related ( :D ) there is also a link to a somewhat related story about someone who checked a fully loaded pistol to a checked luggage (without informing the airline) and her subsequent adventure.

[fletcher]

That's generally not a good thing to advertise. Recall that kid from Guilford College, NC, who snuck knives on planes and got in trouble with the feds once he advertised the fact he did it?

[JJNA]

I am not "advertising" anything. My wife made a simple mistake, something that should have been detected by the security system/personnel.

That it was not is a serious concern, something that should be brought to the public attention with the hope that the security system will be more effective.

I am not telling the story to to flaunt the government, I am doing so to make its security measures better.

[tetchaje1]

JJNA,
I don't doubt your intentions for posting this, but it is conceivable that the gummint won't share your point of view and/or won't have a sense of humor about it.

I think I hear footsteps... :uhoh:

[SMMAssociates]

I had to take mom to PIT late last year for a flight to DFW. She's just turned 90, and needs a traveling companion to push a wheelchair or just hang on to her purse when she runs into the bathroom.

SO, you can guess who had to go to the gate with her. The airline countergal didn't want to give me the requisite boarding pass. Right before I could blow my top (I took the afternoon off to get mom there - we could have paid a local taxi service about $40 to just get her to the airport), she relented.

OK, fine....

Minor confusion at the security zone, but mostly because one worker wanted my boarding pass a couple minutes after another one had taken it from me....

Then we get to the actual "machines".... Decades ago, Sears used to sell a cute little screwdrive (often just gave 'em away) that's essentially a flat, round piece of steel a bit thinner than a 50-cent piece, and a little smaller. It's got four or so projections of various sizes that function as screwdriver bits.

Guess what they didn't want to let me take with me.... Somebody had to go and ask permission!

(They let me take it. I wouldn't have cared about losing it, but I've not seen one for a while, and actually use it from time to time. There's also a feeler gauge for spark plugs on the same key ring. I have no idea why - I think I last used it in the 60's but it's nearly indestructable.)

The system did such a great job on 9/11 that I can't help feeling more secure. If I'd had a 1911 on my belt instead of secured in the car, I'd have felt rather more secure, but after all the government knows best. :cuss:

(I've got "paper" for OH and PA....)

(FWIW, the Security and/or TSA people were extremely polite and reasonably businesslike. I wouldn't want that job.... OTOH, I should have called the airline.... :fire: )

I also got to push the wheelchair - the "official" pusher vanished. Not his fault, but I'm 59, and out of shape :eek: . Not exactly fun, but the chair probably weighs as much as mom. And, she had to run into the bathroom a few minutes before boarding. "Run" isn't exactly accurate, but she can walk short distances, and is still driving. Not a lot of driving, though - she has trouble getting in and out of the car by herself. I should be in that sort of shape in 30 years....

Regards,

[JJNA]

If you read my story all the way through, there is a story buried in a link about a local gal who checked a loaded gun into her baggage without informing anyone. She then had a bright idea to let the captain of her flight know.

She had a great welcoming party, but escaped without much harm (she actually flaunts about having done so based on her "cute little girl" charms).

Footsteps... Geez. Some folks really are more than a little paranoid (and I am pretty paranoid myself).

[Cesiumsponge]

Considering the TSA horror stories we've heard on how they handle law-abiding citizens who wish to travel with firearms, is it a surprise they botch up in other areas covered under the heading of their job? Granted they're only human, but it doesn't seem like many people are happy with the performance (or lack thereof) of the TSA in general.

[cane]

I have flown extensively since 9/11, most of the time with firearms. I follow the rules posted by the TSA and the airline and have never had a problem. I have flown with a wheelchair, walker, and now a cane, with only one incident. I have a cane that has a built in flashlight in it. When it went through the x-ray, rhey saw the circit board, wires, and battery. They were very interested in it. I don't agree with many of the TSA's policy and proceedures, but remember the people we are dealing with at the airport, aren't policy makers. I'm flying from Raleigh to Anchorage Tuesday, and taking 2 pistols with me. You can be sure I'll tell the counter agent that they are in my bag.

[rick_reno]

I've flown quite a bit since 9/11 and I think TSA does a pretty good job. Generally, they're much better than that collection of non-English speaking pinheads that ran the X-ray machines before 9/11. They're always polite and most importantly - I can understand what they say when they speak.

[JJNA]

Yes, but those "non-English speaking pinheads" were not paid by the government and, by extension, by public money.

[RaggedClaws]

Wow, that lady was lucky she was changing flights in Chicago and not somewhere in New York (or Boston). The NY authorities would have charged her with illegal weapon possession (a felony):

http://www.nysrpa.org/airportwarning.htm