Flying out of LAX last week. I was tired and having a bad day as it was the third airport and hence 3rd TSA encounter.


I had bought a drink shortly before going though security and put the change in my back pocket (about 4 bucks of coins).

Coat off, shirt off, belt off yet again, though the metal detector.... Beep, beep.

The TSA agent wands my down. The only thing that's picked up is the coins, which I take out, and put on the counter.

Despite that there is now nothing on picked up the wand he insists I walk back through the metal detector.

I then go to get my stuff from the x-ray machine and the TSA says don't forget your coins.

So I say to him " keep it, consider it a tip" in a moderately sarcastic tone.

By the time I get my belt and shoes on there is two other TSA officers and some kind of security officer and they threaten to detain me and call to police for trying to "bribe a public officer".

After about 5 minutes having my ID and boarding pass examined, of apologizing and being polite they let me on my way.

Yes I know it was my fault, and will hold my tongue in the future.