[ScoochDude]

I was returning from a hunting trip from Texas last year, and checking my rifles was a nightmare. We almost missed our flight.

While in the non-profiling shoe removal line at Bush International, I noticed my favorite assisted opening knife, (6 inch tanto blade), was in my pocket. I was devastated since there was no way I could go back and check it and make my flight. I bet my hunting buddy a coffee at Starbucks that I could get it through security and placed it in my carry on. The guy in front of me got hassled about something in his bag and I wanted to up the ante because I knew the dumb ass on the machine was not going to needlessly hassle two people in a row and I was right.

My friend was pissed. Like the system failed.

It was the safest I've ever felt on an airplane.

[mom4melody]

I flew from Cincinnati to Akron with a Box Cutter in my planner (I was an event manager and carried it on jobs). I called TSA at the airport when I got back and told them. The supervisors were not pleased. Given that I’m protestant, there was really no reason for panic though.

[Prince of Space]

When we flew to DC for the 9/12 rally, we had to take connecting flights both ways, for a total of 4 flights. For the first flight, since we hadn't flown since 2001, we were very diligent and did everything by the book...shoes off, baggy out, water bottle thrown away, etc.

By the 3rd and 4th flight, I neglected to take the baggy out for inspection. Nobody asked me about it or said anything as it went through the scanner. I didn't realize it until I was on the final flight, and it didn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling either.

TSA is a joke.

Mrs. Prince of Space

[bradthebuilder]

I have been in airports in Eastern Europe where they scan your bags and then throw them on a trailer. The bags wait to be driven out to the plane out there on the apron with no security or over sight. I was a little worried mine would walk off. This after I walked through the metal detector wearing my steel toe boots. Which I was not required to remove.

Paris is probably the worst airport in the world to connect through. However, they have one incredibly efficient practice: the rubber trays that we place our shoes, computer, etc. in are returned to the loading side of the x-ray scanner by an inclined roller conveyor. No need for a TSA lackey to use a push cart.

Travel overseas once or twice and your realize quickly that the TSA rules are an absolute joke. Half the times overseas I do not remove my shoes, computer, toothpaste, etc.

[1rudeboy]

I used to carry an Al-Mar 3-1/2" lockblade on every flight I took. I used to bet my friends it would be let on the flight. I won every time.

(This was back in the day, when 3-1/2" was the international limit, and Al-Mar had specifically designed the blade to be to be 3-3/8"). It's a nice little weapon, and I need to dust it off and start carrying it again (after I check State law).