Echo

I am on a crusade to document and expose the idiocy I experience when traveling. I don't know if it does any good, but at least I don't feel like I just took it.

Today's lesson: leaving your belt on.

This obviously depends on what you're wearing. If I'm not wearing a suit where my belt is exposed, I leave my belt on with my shirt covering it. One of two things has happened so far. On most occasions, it fails to register on the screen and I just walk through. The one time where they noticed it, all he asked to do was pat it down (I made him change his gloves, of course). Then I went through.

In my estimation you save time even in the instance where they notice the belt and want to check it. Much better than having my pants fall down as I go through.

drewguy

I do the same thing - unless I'm asked specifically to remove it, I wear it.

PreCheck has reduced the instances where I need to take this approach.

exerda

A lot of checkpoints (at non-Pre airports) though insist if they see the belt; they won't let you even go into the nude-o-scope or through the WTMD without removing it.

LtKernelPanic

I always leave my bet on (unless a clerk says take it off) and never had a problem at the WTMB. Unfortunately that belt broke (at ORD no less) and haven't magnet tested my new one yet. I've found that if the buckle isn't magnetic it won't be a problem at the WTMD 99.9% of the time.

Loose Cannon

I always take my belt off because if I didn't it would ring the metal detector (if one is used) for sure.

Ancien Maestro

I take my belt off for the same reason. I don't want the metal detector to go off. I feel good everytime I walk through the metal detector and it doesn't go off. Its like I scored points or something.

Often1

The only person this hurts is the guy behind you who gets delayed while the Officer checks under the belt.

Practically speaking this matters less and less as pre-check becomes the norm.

Pesky Monkey

Practically speaking why are we worrying about belts? I won't even go into the shoes, liquids, and tiny knives.

Ancien Maestro

There is the issue when TSA agents ask to remove everything out of your pockets including belts and shoes. If this question is asked, then there maybe consequences for not following instructions. YMMV.

TWA884

Have you ever heard of belt buckle knifes?