Newbie Flyer Seeks Advice
 

Hi Everyone! I am so glad I found this forum, because I've already learned many tips from you seasoned travelers.

This is embarrassing to admit, but I haven't flown since the early 80s while on a family vacation. Now I am going to be flying UA from ORD to DCA next week for a couple of days. I'm not nervous at all about the flight itself, but I worry about that dreaded walk through security. I've read all the instructions for carry-on packing and dressing on the TSA website, and many of the tips here. But, I'm still nervous. And have a few questions I hope some of you might know the answer to:

One thing that gets me P.O.'d is that they say not to wear an underwire bra or it will set up the detector and I'd be subject to a "pat down". I have...um....certain parts that cannot do without an underwire....not ever. Trust me on this. So when my bra sets off the detector and they go to grope me, what rights do I have? Do I have a right to have a female do the screening? Can I simply tell them to bugger off, it's just my bra!? :mad:

Which airlines/airports provide those paper booties for the shoe screening, or should I just bring my own?

If I pack my electric curling iron in my carry-on do I need to take it out? Or will they think it's a weapon? :confused:

Besides my little 17" wheeled carry-on, can I bring a small tote bag type purse (think a Coach knockoff), or does the extra personal item have to be a small purse?

What do you guys do with disposable cameras? Is it better to buy one at the destination and then ask them to hand screen it on the trip back?

Sorry for the silly questions. I appreciate any and all insight. And please try not to laugh at me at the airport when I walk aimlessly around looking like a "deer in headlights" or when I can't figure out how to open the lav. ;)

Thanks!

Welcome to FT!

Based on what I can answer, my comments are below:

safe to bring your own.. or just bring old socks.. and change after the screening.

leave then in the bag... if they have any confusion.. they'll do a bag check.

Yes

if the speed is under 400, I think you should be fine with the x-ray. let it through.

don't worry.. many seasoned travelers feel lost in the jungle of meaningless
security rules. :)

I go through security 2 or 3 times a week with an underwire bra and a watch and haven't set off the metal detector. I went through once with my cell phone in my pocket and didn't set off the metal detector. I believe you have to really try to set those things off.

I'm sure many other women wear underwire bras when traveling and I haven't seen a queue of women getting patted down or wanded.

You get 1 item to go overhead and 1 item to go under seat. I bring a roller bag and a backpack without issue so a purse should be fine. Just play by the rules and put it underseat if you put your other bag in the overhead. Carryon baggage requirements are enforced by the airline and not by TSA so don't expect the TSO to inform you if you have too much stuff unless you are trying to bring a 25" roller or something blatant like that.

It depends on how they are set and it sometimes changes over time also.

I've had the exact same stuff pass at one airport and trigger at the next.

Take a deep breath.....
Relax.......

Enjoy the miracle of flight. Don't let the "bleep bleeps" get you down.

Seriously, most of the TSA folks are just normal people working a crappy job. I always try to be polite, speak to them, sometimes make jokes. Very seldom do I ever have a problem during screening.

Little quick story to make you feel all better about the checkpoints. Couple of months ago leaving TPA going back to GSO. TSA agent pulls my bag aside after x-ray and said she needed to check it. No problem. It doesn't bother me much unless on a tight connection.

After about 10 minutes of searching, she misses 3 bic lighters (before the ban was lifted), a laser pointer shaped like a 30-06 rifle shell and something else I can't remember now but she TOOK MY DEODORANT!!!
My God, think of the children :rolleyes: I'm sure everyone on my flight felt much safer after that dangerous deodorant was removed.......

Safe travels. Peace out :D

Tim

Welcome to FlyerTalk freckles.

Your "personal item" doesn't have to be all that small, just FYI. The space under the seat i something like 19" x 15" x 10" on most aircraft. It's more a tradeoff between carryon and legroom.

You've got great answers, welcome to Flyertalk.

Don't be nervous! I know how you feel, because I've been there... the key here is just to be calm, confident, and friendly. Most of the TSA'ers I've seen has been friendly or just relaxed. If you do face a mean screener or someone trying to intimidate you, be friendly. Meet the intimidation with a big smile. That should make them back off - remember the old days in HS when you greeted your bullies with a big smile? That would make them confused and leave you alone.

If you feel that nervous, maybe you can ask an airline representative if they can oversee the screening, just to make sure you're not pushed around too hard. That'd make TSA behave even better.

About the underwire issue, I can't really comment as I'm a guy :( However, if they give you a hard time, ask for a supervisor. If no go, manager. If no go still, FSD on duty.

However, I really do think you'll be fine - just remain friendly and follow instructions, but don't be a total sheep, either - feel free to ask questions.

Hope this helps! :) Let us know how it went!

Andrew

Not just a right, it's standard procedure. You can also have the pat down done in private, although this may delay the process a bit. It shouldn't and the screeners will probably get all huffy about it, but it's your right.

Private is sometimes a separate room, other times just behind a curtain out of public view. You don't get to choose, as it depends on the airport; and I don't know what would happen if, in your opinion, the "private" screening area wasn't private enough. Anyone ?

It sounds like the screeners made your flight a little MORE dangerous after removing your deodorant!! :D

back on topic, i've never had undeveloped film go bad or fog up just by passing it through the carryon x-ray scanner (although the checked bag scanner is said to be strong enough to damage undeveloped film). the pros or the super picky would recommend getting a lead lined bag for your film. your choice. i would opt for the former, personally.

for some reason, my watches (a divers watch and an automatic) ALWAYS set off the alarm, so i always just stick them in my bag along with keys, phone, blackberry, etc. something to consider.

When I used to carry films, I always had the lead lined bag to protect the
films. Mainly because some films passed the screening several dozen times
before I came back home.. and/or some of the films were high speed 800,1000 +

In rare case I've seen the x-ray damage to the films.. enough to be noticed..
but not significant to be a total loss. (this was without lead bag)

Lead bag will almost always warrant a hand inspection, but its easier than waiting to ask for a hand inspection.

Cons: The bag itself is rather heavy.

Yeah--I've got a laptop case that's nearly rollaboard size. No problems.

I do most of my flying between the same two airports (BNA and LAX, before that, BNA and MSP or SEA) all the time, so I don't see a wide variety of WTMD settings, but I never have a problem with my belt buckle, watch, or rings setting them off; my phone (BlackBerry) and keys will always do it. I have yet to see a woman get wanded for an underwire who wasn't already in secondary for some other reason.

Key to avoiding problems with security is to be boring. Pack boring stuff, act boring, don't get excited about anything, and be efficient. If you forget and leave your "freedom baggie" in your bag and it causes problems, just own up to having forgotten and let them put your bag through again. I would suggest packing your keys and phone into your carryon/purse as soon as you are done with them, so you don't have to dig them out at the checkpoint and put them in the bin. Wear slip-on shoes, so you can get them off and on quickly.

My basic strategy at TSA checkpoints has been to act as nonchalant and easygoing as possible and to get through quickly, without making a fuss about whether I have bottles that are over the limit by .1 ounce or whether I am risking gangrene by going through barefoot or in stocking feet...I just keep my eye on my stuff and act as cooperative as possible, so that I can get through and forget the TSA is even there, and they can forget about me. Of course, when someone does manage to get something past them, it will be a boring, nonchalant guy like me who's done it a thousand times, not someone who's being confrontational. :(

Hi freckles, and welcome to FT!

Don’t worry about your underwire bra setting off the WTMD. I’ve worn one through security several times, along with a bracelet, watch, earrings and toe rings, and I’ve never alarmed. You also shouldn’t be overly concerned about receiving a pat-down search. In the unlikely event you’re selected, just smile as others have suggested. And don’t forget to ask the TSO to put on a new pair of gloves. BTW, some TSAers actually realize how silly the whole thing is, but there’s not much they can do to change the procedure. So just give them a big grin and perhaps even a laugh, especially if you’re ticklish like me.

Big thanks to everyone for all the tips and info! I feel better already!

I was a little worried about bad karma going into this flight because I had some difficulty with some of the offshore UA phone reps (gotta love outsourcing) who kept disconnecting me (I think the lines to India were bad at the time). But I sent an email to UA letting them know about the problem and they sent me an e-certificate good for $100 off my next flight! How cool is that! :cool: