FF's: Do you have amateur moments?
Aug 7, 2015, 6:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K (Star Alliance Gold) IHG Platinum
Posts: 226
FF's: Do you have amateur moments?
I'm a fairly frequent flyer (~150k per year) and have been for years, and in most aspects I am experienced and travel all over the world with ease.
However, no matter what I do and how well I organize, I always have issues getting through security. I seem to struggle and look like a total noob no matter when and where.. even with pre-check.
YES I am the terrible person in front of you in the line that's dropping things, taking too much time, and generally looking like an unorganized mess.
I have tried to fix this and gotten slightly better, but not much
What is your travel weakness or amateur moment when you are on the road?
However, no matter what I do and how well I organize, I always have issues getting through security. I seem to struggle and look like a total noob no matter when and where.. even with pre-check.
YES I am the terrible person in front of you in the line that's dropping things, taking too much time, and generally looking like an unorganized mess.
I have tried to fix this and gotten slightly better, but not muchWhat is your travel weakness or amateur moment when you are on the road?
Aug 7, 2015, 7:03 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
FF's: Do you have amateur moments?
Why is it so hard to be prepared to go through security, especially when you do it very regularly and know exactly what to expect when you get there? I don't get that and never will.
Aug 7, 2015, 7:07 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Scotland
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 476
Yep, I have them a lot, it never fails that I set at least one alarm off in security during the trip.
I usually forget about little foil packets of medication in my pockets and that sets off the UK detectors but strangely never sets off most of the Asian or European airport detectors(even went through changi wearing a belt and never set it off)
I usually forget about little foil packets of medication in my pockets and that sets off the UK detectors but strangely never sets off most of the Asian or European airport detectors(even went through changi wearing a belt and never set it off)
Aug 7, 2015, 7:12 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K (Star Alliance Gold) IHG Platinum
Posts: 226
Aug 7, 2015, 7:35 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,555
As I posted on the "dumb mistake" thread, I'm double-booked this afternoon to both MDW and ORD, completely by accident.
Nine months ago, I booked an Avios award to ORD and then immediately and completely forgot I'd done it. Didn't add it to my calendar, didn't call to get it added to my AA itineraries like I usually do with Avios flights. Just ignored it....until I got an alert last night to go check in for it, *after* I'd already checked in for a WN ticket I bought a few weeks ago.
Fortunately, it's no harm to cancel WN, but still....talk about amateur hour...
I can't even pass it off as the WN ticket being "IROPS insurance". The WN flight takes off first.
Nine months ago, I booked an Avios award to ORD and then immediately and completely forgot I'd done it. Didn't add it to my calendar, didn't call to get it added to my AA itineraries like I usually do with Avios flights. Just ignored it....until I got an alert last night to go check in for it, *after* I'd already checked in for a WN ticket I bought a few weeks ago.
Fortunately, it's no harm to cancel WN, but still....talk about amateur hour...
I can't even pass it off as the WN ticket being "IROPS insurance". The WN flight takes off first.
Aug 7, 2015, 7:51 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: DL
Posts: 963
I'm kind of klutzy by nature and when I try to concentrate especially hard on some of the logistics of getting through the airport I find myself feeling awkward and cumbersome.
Aug 7, 2015, 8:53 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K (Star Alliance Gold) IHG Platinum
Posts: 226
Darn.. I guess I act like an amateur flyer a lot! I do this too!
In all fairness, I always book myself in the same seats. I have the favorite on several types of planes and the routine is so familiar that on the rare occasion that I can't get my seat, it's very possible that I'll end up in the wrong location.
Aug 7, 2015, 9:08 am
#9
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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If I make a mistake at security, I blame the wholly inconsistent nature of airport security checkpoints. Even within the same country, they often seem to operate totally differently.
Aug 7, 2015, 9:32 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT G (1MM);DL G, UA GM
Posts: 2,028
Of course, I had no excuse for forgetting the bottle of water in my carryon that led to a bag search at SFO.
Aug 7, 2015, 10:35 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: SPG Gold, Delta Platinum
Posts: 528
I seem to always forget to check, or mail, forbidden items and just leave them in my backpack, to be confiscated by TSA. Things like corkscrews purchased in wineries, small but pointy toys purchased for the kids, that sort of thing. I once was travelling to see my oldest son and wanted to give him the gavel he won at a high school event. I put it in my backpack and the TSA grabbed it. I just do this again and again.
Aug 7, 2015, 10:36 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
To me the real amateurs are the people who:
- Have to rummage through their bags in the security line (really, you packed your boarding pass with your socks?)
- Don't pay attention to general instructions (as if "Take off your belt" applies to someone else but not them)
- Need 3 or more attempts to get through the scanner because they can't follow specific instructions ("Empty your pockets" means everything in your pockets. All your pockets.)
You're not that bad, are you?
Aug 7, 2015, 10:42 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK somewhere North of London
Programs: DL Skymiles, HiltonH, AA Advantage
Posts: 107
Putting my passport, driver's licence or tickets etc., in the carryon before arriving at the airport and rummaging about to find them at security or car rental. Answer-I tell myself we're all human and all humans make mistakes. Been doing it since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Hopefully mine will not be too serious but there have been times....
Aug 7, 2015, 11:07 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MT, USA
Programs: Ex-5C club, Skymiles Gold
Posts: 454
FF's: Do you have amateur moments?
I once mistakenly booked a ticket to Omaha when I needed to be in Tulsa. Luckily caught it in the 24 hour window. It would have made for a long drive. Not sure what was going on in my head. They are both 5 letters ending in A? Definitely an amateur move.
Aug 7, 2015, 11:35 am
#15
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,032
I've tried to board the wrong flight more than once; just on autopilot and walking up to a gate I think is for my flight without checking the board. I've also sat in the wrong seat (most often I am on the wrong side of the aisle).