Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - Stockholm Arlanda airport security is anything but

Hilarious experience being hassled this morning at Stockholm's Arlanda airport (heading to the U.S., of course). Mr. Mybodyismyown and I spent the night in the airport hotel and decided to check in our checked baggage first thing this morning, then head back to the room for a bit more rest before boarding.

So we're at the airline check-in counter, not the security line. A woman introduced herself with, "I'm representing security, can I see your passports? Do you have all your bags with you, checked and carry-on?"

We told her our carry-on bags were in our room. She said that we weren't allowed to check in for the flight unless we had all our bags with us. When we asked why, she said, "We might want to look inside them for a security check." An airline rep also later claimed this was a TSA rule that they absolutely could never bend, that we must have all our bags with us when we get our boarding passes.


I even tried to explain to them in graphic detail that they could look in my carry-on all they wanted, but if they were going to let me walk away with it and go back to my hotel room they still wouldn't know what was in it when I came back to get on the plane. Total lack of comprehension.


I gave up and had to walk back to the room to grab two carry-ons to show them. Of course, all the stuff that belonged in the carryons was waiting back in the room to be packed later, but just showing the bags was enough to satisfy the unbreakable TSA rule. The really tricky part came when they asked "do you have a laptop with you?" Um, yes and no: it's in the room right now but it will be in the bag when we come to get on the flight later.... Actually, I just said no.

I have it on good authority that attempting to find any logic in security procedures is the cause of 73.3% of fatal strokes.

Those are "security" contractors wanted and approved by the US TSA and US airlines. Stockholm-Arlanda airport security staff don't run that stupid show noted in the OP.

Exactly.

Thank/blame your own country for that, OP.

Exactly.

Thank/blame your own country for that, OP.

Indeed.

Also blame other countries, including Sweden. The hosts to US airlines and US government-wanted-and-approved personnel/contractors at non-US airports should all, jointly and severally, tell the US DHS to pound sand when it comes to meddling at airports abroad. Unfortunately they mostly play the role of surrender monkey to the US in this arena.

Indeed.

Also blame other countries, including Sweden. The hosts to US airlines and US government-wanted-and-approved personnel/contractors at non-US airports should all, jointly and severally, tell the US DHS to pound sand when it comes to meddling at airports abroad. Unfortunately they mostly play the role of surrender monkey to the US in this arena.

I agree. I don't understand why other countries just don't tell TSA to stick their policies where the sun doesn't shine.

Are there any countries that have refused the paranoid American procedures and after that still had direct flights to the US?

Are there any countries that have refused the paranoid American procedures and after that still had direct flights to the US?

Refused some or even much of it, yes. Refused all of it, then no sign of that.

I agree. I don't understand why other countries just don't tell TSA to stick their policies where the sun doesn't shine.

I don't know if any government is willing to prop up the first carrier who risks failing as a result of flights to the US being banned.

It's not so easy to stand up to the bully. :(

I don't know if any government is willing to prop up the first carrier who risks failing as a result of flights to the US being banned.

It's not so easy to stand up to the bully. :(

Well, the EU is doing it in the emissions lane. It would be nice if the EU as a whole pushed back against nonsensical security as well.

I agree, but unfortunately I believe that economics will win out in this case.

At least there are scanners sitting around the world in corners of airports, unwrapped and unused.

This is the airport that one of my gay male friends got groped.

Without a warning, during a domestic flight.

A security guard came up behind him and groped him. He jumped high and turned around. he asked "what in the hell are you doing"?She asked him if he had any problems . Answer "Yes you scared me without a warning.

Supervisor was called and told him it was ok to do that. Thay could do that without any warning and from behind.:mad::td:

He now takes the train within Sweden.

This is the airport that one of my gay male friends got groped.

Without a warning, during a domestic flight.

A security guard came up behind him and groped him. He jumped high and turned around. he asked "what in the hell are you doing"?She asked him if he had any problems . Answer "Yes you scared me without a warning.

Supervisor was called and told him it was ok to do that. Thay could do that without any warning and from behind.:mad::td:

He now takes the train within Sweden.

Touched him how and where at ARN; and was this at a security checkpoint?

The TSA gropes passengers in a way that ARN screening checkpoint staff never have in my observation except under foreign direction. And at the domestic flight areas they don't do anything close to what the TSA wants in its wildest dreams.

A security guard is sort of distinct from a security checkpoint screener. Are you using the phrases as if one and the same?

Touched him how and where at ARN; and was this at a security checkpoint?

The TSA gropes passengers in a way that ARN screening checkpoint staff never have in my observation except under foreign direction. And at the domestic flight areas they don't do anything close to what the TSA wants in its wildest dreams.

A security guard is sort of distinct from a security checkpoint screener. Are you using the phrases as if one and the same?

I did forget it was a female security guard. It was at an security check point.

I did forget it was a female security guard. It was at an security check point.

You did indicate previously that it was a female who groped him. What I am curious about is if it was a security screener or if it was a security guard that wears a different uniform and looks much like the security guards on the Stockholm T-bana platforms.

You did indicate previously that it was a female who groped him. What I am curious about is if it was a security screener or if it was a security guard that wears a different uniform and looks much like the security guards on the Stockholm T-bana platforms.

According to him it was airport screneer. If you want to email
my private emails And I will get him to talk to you.
They told him it was the airport screeners.?

Hilarious experience being hassled this morning at Stockholm's Arlanda airport (heading to the U.S., of course). Mr. Mybodyismyown and I spent the night in the airport hotel and decided to check in our checked baggage first thing this morning, then head back to the room for a bit more rest before boarding.

So we're at the airline check-in counter, not the security line. A woman introduced herself with, "I'm representing security, can I see your passports? Do you have all your bags with you, checked and carry-on?"

We told her our carry-on bags were in our room. She said that we weren't allowed to check in for the flight unless we had all our bags with us. When we asked why, she said, "We might want to look inside them for a security check." An airline rep also later claimed this was a TSA rule that they absolutely could never bend, that we must have all our bags with us when we get our boarding passes.


I even tried to explain to them in graphic detail that they could look in my carry-on all they wanted, but if they were going to let me walk away with it and go back to my hotel room they still wouldn't know what was in it when I came back to get on the plane. Total lack of comprehension.


I gave up and had to walk back to the room to grab two carry-ons to show them. Of course, all the stuff that belonged in the carryons was waiting back in the room to be packed later, but just showing the bags was enough to satisfy the unbreakable TSA rule. The really tricky part came when they asked "do you have a laptop with you?" Um, yes and no: it's in the room right now but it will be in the bag when we come to get on the flight later.... Actually, I just said no.

Well, at least next time you'll know to simply answer "yes" to the original question, as will we. Thanks for the learning experience to bypass these pinheads.