Why take your wallet out at the security checkpoint?

[CMK10]

I wonder why people do this everytime I go through security...unless it has a metal money clip in it, why take it out? It just gives you an extra thing to put back into your pockets and you run the risk of it being damaged or stolen.

[cblaisd]

A wallet full of magnetic-encoded eye-candy FF/FH cards will set off many metal detectors, ime, if they're set sensitively.

[gj83]

Wirelessly posted (HTC-P4600/1.2 Opera/9.50 (Windows NT 5.1; U; en) UP.Link/6.3.1.20.0)

maybe you're behind all the amex centurion card holders.

why do people take average size watches off? i have a fairly large watch for s woman and it never sets the thing off. some people take the "empty your pockets and divest all metal" too seriously.

[BigBopper]

I do my best not to take my wallet out but it seems that many foreign airports require it. I've even gotten into the habit of untucking my shirt so it covers my back pocket to avoid taking out my wallet.

[wolfie_cr]

sensitivity of metal detectors is different all over

at home in SJO my belt will set it off, in the US it normally doesn't

I haven't tried leaving my watch on BUT I really don't care to start making experiments

[Efrem]

I've never taken my wallet out and don't intend to. Less metal than in my teeth.

My usual travel watch has a non-metallic case, so I leave it on too.

OTOH, my belt often has to come off because of its buckle. It's not a showy one, but it has some weight to it.

YMMV.

[shabster]

I've never set off a detector with my wallet (and I never take it out) - though my belt & shoes (when they used to allow you to keep them on), have set off numerous detectors

[MatthewLAX]

I never take my wallet out. I also leave my belt and watch on.

[mjcewl1284]

I usually put my wallet into my bag right after I check in and way before I get to the TSA checkpoint. No possibility for any theft from anybody.

[manfromh]

What about all the coins?
Even my shoes set off the detector, and only thing metal in them are those tiny eyelets.

[fone]

Originally Posted by shabster

I've never set off a detector with my wallet (and I never take it out) - though my belt & shoes (when they used to allow you to keep them on), have set off numerous detectors

My belt used to set off the metal detectors, but after a one time, a TSA officer taught me to keep it on without setting off the metal detectors. I think it was my early morning daze, rushing to catch a 6am flight, that after I placed everything through the xray machine and just before I pass the metal detector, I realized my belt was still on, so I told the TSA officer. He just asked me if I want it off or on, and it was a hassle to take it off and on again. So I told him I want it on. He just asked me to use my hands to cover the buckle, and that same belt has never set off any metal detector since.

[CyBeR]

The coins in my wallet will usually set the detector off, so out it goes.

[deubster]

For several years, I've placed my watch, keys and pocket change in an outside pocket on my laptop bag before entering security area - to be retrieved before boarding. I've never even thought of putting my wallet there, or my belt. Never had a problem, even on international flights.

[Ocn Vw 1K]

Please follow in our Travel Safety/Security forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

[whirledtraveler]

In Europe, it is typical for airport security people to ask you to completely empty your pockets. Could be a holdover from travelers over there.