Almost Lost My Briefcase at CLT
Oct 3, 2004 | 7:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Danville, CA
Programs: AA EXP - UA *G MM - HH Diamond - Hertz PC
Posts: 3,242
Almost Lost My Briefcase at CLT
Had an interesting experience this morning departing from CLT. Never happened to me before.
I was in the security line, and was the next person up. I was prepared, and had already put my cell phone, coins, pen, etc. in my carryon as I was waiting in line. Quickly popped my computer out of my briefcase and was putting it the tray to go through security.
As I was pushing my things ahead towards the conveyor a guy walked up behind me, grabbed a tray, rushed around me and put his bag on the conveyor. I asked if he was in a hurry (figuring he had to catch a flight), and he began to berate me, asking if I was in some kind of a damn hurry. I was non-plussed, to say the least. There were only about 4 people in each line as we approached the security area, so it wasn't like he had been waiting for a long period of time.
The operator asked if he had a computer, and he said no. Then as his bag started through the machine he changed his mind and said yes. So they put the machine in reverse and back came his bag. At that point he took his computer out, put it in a tray and started to go through the metal detector. The security agent started sending my things through right behind his, but I asked that he wait until the commotion ahead of me was over. Luckily he obliged me.
Sure enough, the guy ahead of me goes through the detector and the bells start ringing. Oops, he had his cell phone and a large pen, so he takes those out. He starts back through again, but has his vest on, so he has to do it again (the agent had requested three times he take his vest off.) Finally he made it through, but for some reason they don't give him the full body scan.
As I came through the detector he was slowly putting his computer into his bag as my things came down the conveyor. At that point he was no longer in a hurry, and slowly walked away, not seeming to go to any gate in particular.
As I later sat at my gate replaying the episode in my mind, I suddenly realized what had almost happened (at least in my mind). I believe he purposely created a commotion by jumping in front of me, not taking his computer out, then going through with his cell phone, etc. Perhaps I'm paranoid, but I believe that had the agent put my things through the scanner when this guy was still trying to go through the detector, my briefcase and computer would have been history by the time I cleared the scanner.
I've heard about people losing their briefcases, purses, etc. but never thought it would happen (or almost happen) to me.
Or on the other hand, I guess the maybe the guy really is a dumb traveler, and I'm making a mountain out of a molehill.
danville 1K
I was in the security line, and was the next person up. I was prepared, and had already put my cell phone, coins, pen, etc. in my carryon as I was waiting in line. Quickly popped my computer out of my briefcase and was putting it the tray to go through security.
As I was pushing my things ahead towards the conveyor a guy walked up behind me, grabbed a tray, rushed around me and put his bag on the conveyor. I asked if he was in a hurry (figuring he had to catch a flight), and he began to berate me, asking if I was in some kind of a damn hurry. I was non-plussed, to say the least. There were only about 4 people in each line as we approached the security area, so it wasn't like he had been waiting for a long period of time.
The operator asked if he had a computer, and he said no. Then as his bag started through the machine he changed his mind and said yes. So they put the machine in reverse and back came his bag. At that point he took his computer out, put it in a tray and started to go through the metal detector. The security agent started sending my things through right behind his, but I asked that he wait until the commotion ahead of me was over. Luckily he obliged me.
Sure enough, the guy ahead of me goes through the detector and the bells start ringing. Oops, he had his cell phone and a large pen, so he takes those out. He starts back through again, but has his vest on, so he has to do it again (the agent had requested three times he take his vest off.) Finally he made it through, but for some reason they don't give him the full body scan.
As I came through the detector he was slowly putting his computer into his bag as my things came down the conveyor. At that point he was no longer in a hurry, and slowly walked away, not seeming to go to any gate in particular.
As I later sat at my gate replaying the episode in my mind, I suddenly realized what had almost happened (at least in my mind). I believe he purposely created a commotion by jumping in front of me, not taking his computer out, then going through with his cell phone, etc. Perhaps I'm paranoid, but I believe that had the agent put my things through the scanner when this guy was still trying to go through the detector, my briefcase and computer would have been history by the time I cleared the scanner.
I've heard about people losing their briefcases, purses, etc. but never thought it would happen (or almost happen) to me.
Or on the other hand, I guess the maybe the guy really is a dumb traveler, and I'm making a mountain out of a molehill.
danville 1K
Oct 3, 2004 | 8:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Nashua, NH USA
Programs: Seashore Trolley Museum "flight attendant"
Posts: 2,015
How much mor interesting would things have been if he did indeed take something of yours and you instantly went tearing after him not letting anything anything stand in your way?
Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm
Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm
Oct 3, 2004 | 8:14 pm
#3
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 35,597
danville, sure am glad it didn't happen. I had a TSA agent last week who was really focused on me keeping my laptop in sight at all times - for just this reason. It's a good reminder for all of us.
As an aside, the fellow in front of the security line had the identical laptop to me. I realized how easy it would be to inadventently pick up each other's laptops. I came home and put an address sticker on the lid of mine.
As an aside, the fellow in front of the security line had the identical laptop to me. I realized how easy it would be to inadventently pick up each other's laptops. I came home and put an address sticker on the lid of mine.
Oct 3, 2004 | 9:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Commuting around the mid-atlantic and rust-belt on any number of RJs
Programs: TSA Random Selectee Platinum, * Gold, SPG/HH/MR mid-tier, and a tiny bag of pretzels.
Posts: 9,255
I won't go thru until my stuff (notably my laptop case) is on it's way and I've got a clear shot thru the magnometer--just for this reason.