You're supposed to put your jacket through the carryon x-ray. So I put my "important stuff" in its pockets, zipped them, and then sent it through the x-ray, like any carryon. Apparently the x-ray operator at BHM didn't like what she saw so the jacket got secondaried. What is this? I could have stuffed my wallet, cell phone, etc etc into my backpack but I just put them in my coat pockets.

Anyway, at least I did not get hassled any further. Just pointing out another data point about how TSA SOP is "go for the low hanging fruit". So what the smurf did was take out the stuff out of one pocket, put it in a tub, ran them through the xray and that was it. Didn't even do explosive trace swab.

Also I took some pictures of the C/P before I got into the line and did not get approached, so at least that's good too.

I have found that putting my TomTom GPS unit in my coat pocket drastically reduces the number of bag checks compared to when I put it in my roller or my backpack. Other than that, all of my other electronics go into the backpack.

I suppose the question is which you'd rather have them rummage through. If they want to look at your pockets, it takes 10 seconds to pull the stuff out. That's where I always put my blackberry, iphone, wallet, keys, etc.

I always put wallet, keys, coins etc into the jacket pockets, zip them up then put it on the conveyor. I hate standing in line behind someone who isn't prepared for the WTMD.

good thing you didn't have a scottevest... http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/N...vel_Vest.shtml

When I travel I take a few hundred $$ cash because I need it. I don't want to use a ATM that may charge a big fee.
I DO NOT want to relenquish my 5 large $$ bills going thru security and so far it has NOT been as issue.
COULD tsa make me remove it from my clothes when passing thru security?
If so are they liable if it is taken?
What are my options OTHER than NOT carrying 5 $ Bills?

In the order the questions were asked:

1. Yes, if you are going through a WBI-equipped checkpoint, you will be required to remove everything from your pockets (anecdotal reports indicate that even a small sphere of pocket lint may cause a follow-on patdown)
2. No, TSA disclaims all liability for ANYTHING lost/confiscated at the checkpoint
3. Personally, I lock all of my cash in a small medical case that I found at Target for about $10.00; it is a rigid case with two zippers that can be locked together (I use two non-TSA approved Master Lock combination luggage locks to secure it before I bury it in the bottom of my backpack and secure that with the same style locks)

When I am going through the checkpoint, I keep everything but my keys and phone in my pockets. This ensures that a TSA clerk will not notice my wallet and decide to lift a few of my credit cards.

Most likely because of the zippers and the various ways that things overlaid each other in the direction of the x-ray beam, it wasn't possible to see things clearly enough. This could be more of an issue if one or more items was relatively opaque to x-rays.

In light jacket weather, I put everything in my jacket pockets, fold the jacket neatly and put it in my backpack. (My cold weather jacket will not fit, so it has a bin of its own, folded a certain way so I will know if it has been bothered, first in and out, with my stuff in the pockets.) The backpack is sealed with a zip tie that I can remove with a small nail clipper. I have even started putting my belt in there. It is all done before I even get to the TDC line.

My routine becomes: shoes in bin (maybe) with computer, backpack on belt first, computer/shoes, then roll aboard. After the xray, grab the backpack stuff the computer, grab shoes, and wait for the TSO to swab and take apart the contents of the roll aboard. Oh, well, not every plan works to perfection. I pull the jacket from the backpack and put it on, checking the pockets for contents and don the shoes and belt while still waiting for my roll aboard. Kippie bag stays in backpack. Never had the backpack get a second check.

I dread flying next month (jan) and its been awhile so I wanted to ask if a boarding pass/ticket, or ID can be hand carried thru security?
If not where is it put?? or is it given to tsa agent at screeing?

Once you clear the TDC (Travel Document Checker), just put your ID and boarding pass either in your pocket, or your carryon bag.

Note that a few terminals at some airports (e.g, DL at LGA) require showing the BP at the WTMD: it depends on whether they're able to have a dedicated selectee line at the checkpoint. If in doubt, ask TDC.

And now for the facts�

If someone looses an item at the checkpoint TSA honestly has no responsibility for it. Then again, TSA goes through a great deal of effort to retain and secure lost items, and when contacted about them will go to quite a bit of effort to see that they are returned to their owners.

TSA does not �confiscate� things at the checkpoint. Each and every passenger is offered choices, only one of which would end up with the passenger not retaining their item. 1.) You can take the item out of the sterile area and deal with it as you choose. 2.) You can mail it to yourself. 3.) You can abandon the property here and TSA will deal with it. Claims that the TSA �confiscate� items from passengers is an outright lie.

Absolutely correct. It�s a small issue that we are working on. New x-ray systems are currently going out to all the airports that can accommodate them that provide more than one view of items going through.

The boarding pass can, but I don�t believe the ID will be allowed.

O rly?