n301dp

The Scene: A not-so-busy Terminal 3 security checkpoint.
The Characters: A 60-something-year-old TSO, n301dp, n301dp's cargo pants

The Story:

I'm sure that I am among a whole host of people on this board who wear cargo pants whenever they travel. Today was no different for me.

After loading up the x-ray machine belt with my usual bins, cases, and extra-large bottle of contact solution I proceeded up to the metal detector with my boarding pass in hand. As I began walking through the archway, the TSO monitoring the detector looked down at my pants and said "whoa...you need to either go through the puffer or you'll have to receive a pat down."

I was not wearing pants that had an exorbitant amount of pockets--they are normal pants with a cargo pocket on each leg at about the knee level.

After shooting the officer an incredulous look I asked for clarification--I didn't set off the metal detector when I began walking through. His response was that every person wearing cargo pants needed to follow this procedure or go through secondary screening. At first I thought he was joking until he actually waved me over to the puffer machine. As I went through the metal detector again I once again expressed the fact that this rule made no sense and has not been in practice anywhere else I've traveled this year, including at CVG twice prior! He kind of laughed off my comment.

Excited for a rum & coke at the DL CRC, I decided not to push the issue further. On second thought, after the R&C and a few beers later on in the evening, upon hearing the new rule about cargo pants I should have just taken my pants off and walked through the metal detector in my boxers. I'm sure that the police would believe that I did it on the order of the TSA .

Anyone else have a similar experience?

LoganTSO

One of my co-workers, who is actually a pretty nice guy and has a sense of humor like me, actually does pat down the pockets of everyone's cargo pants when they walk through the mag.

I generally only touch cargo pants when doing a pat down in general, just because the metal detector I usually monitor is very very hectic place to do a pat down.

Anyways, I need to check SOP then I guess.

halls120

Your first mistake was assuming that anything TSA does makes sense.

Their sole function in life is to trump up the existing "threat" to justify their existence.

Spiff

If you did the puffer then you not have had to remove your shoes.

It's just one more reason why this scummy, disgusting, un-American agency should be destroyed.

BigBen1861

Like most everything the TSA does, this is sheer lunacy.

There's nothing you could fit in cargo pants that you couldn't also fit under your shirt, or in regular pants, or in your underwear for that matter. What a sad sad joke the TSA is.

Mats

Really they need to pat down anyone with an abdomen, sinuses, ear canals, or any other "sneaky hiding places."

This is just common sense.

ClueByFour

Next time, remove the pants. That's what I would have done.

AllanJ

Maybe that day was "cargo pants day" and the next day was "ear sinuses day" and so on.

I know we would all love to make political statements about and in front of TSA but if you took the pants off without first asking to go behind a curtain, then you are making a political statement. And also making everyone around you uncomfortable.

A year or so ago I think it was "bulky sweatshirt day" when I was singled out to go to the puffer (the area was not crowded). The puffer sent jabs or air at me but not enough to blow the sweatshirt up so they could see underneath (I had nothing to hide) Or maybe they should have made it "test the puffer day" and turned it up really high.

Travel tips: http://www.cockam.com/travel.htm

Global_Hi_Flyer

Ah, Zinzinnati. Where the German heritage permeates the checkpoints.

CVG was the place where Mrs. GHF was sent to retaliatory secondary for leaving her flip-flops on (this was in the days where shoes-off was optional). Same thing happened at LEX.

mikeef

This is just Step 2 in the increased inspection of cargo.

Mike

gfunkdave

I totally would have taken off my pants, folded them neatly into a gray bin, and walked through in my boxers.

AirlineBrat53

gfunkdave said
"I totally would have taken off my pants, folded them neatly into a gray bin, and walked through in my boxers."

I would have paid good money to see that and the expressions on the faces of the screener running the mag, the xray and the bag checkers who hang out at the xray.

Wonder if the next time I go in civvies to turn in paperwork I should wear my cargos and see if they care.

airlinebrat 53

Boston_Bulldog

I'm glad you didn't describe those "other sneaky places."

essxjay

Me, too. (Seriously.)

essxjay

Your point?