Ways I’ve Set Off Security Screening at the Airport
Over the past five years, I estimate I’ve gone through airport security over 50 times. Not business traveler numbers but enough. Naturally, I’ve set off security screening on a few of these occasions. What does and does not set ring alarm bells can be amusing – razor? A-OK! My hair? Requires further review.
The following are a few things ways I’ve set off security resulting in some form of pat down or bag search.
Big Buns. No, no. Eyes up here. We’re talking hair buns. I have pretty thick hair and when it gets long and I pull it into a bun, it is thick enough to trigger an alert on the body scan machine. This has happened 3 times to date. Usually they peek into my bun with a little chopstick like device. Last time, the lady just used her hand.
Nearly Full Water Bottle. On the way to Charlotte, North Carolina with my sister, I got a “whose bag is this?” wave over in security. As soon as I heard the words, I remembered – I had left a nearly full water bottle in my bag. Rookie mistake!
Sparkly Shirt. I like to feel pulled together when I fly. Not dressed up, but just an outfit I like. Feels good and you never know, there was that one guy I met, one time, flying. On one occasion, I went with an Ann Taylor Loft shirt that was subtly glittery.
Turns out, the thread that must have had some type of metal in it and it was woven through the entire shirt. My entire upper body lit up when I went through the scanner which meant I had to have my entire upper body, front and back, patted down. The TSA agent was borderline apologetic and offered to take me to a room if I wanted but I declined, she patted me down, and we both moved on.
Bra that Crosses in the Back. Had my back patted today and not for doing a good job. Presumably something about my bra which crosses in the back set off the scanner. Interestingly, there’s no metal in it.
More Change than a Panhandler. I like cash. It makes me more aware of how much money I’m spending and I think it’s good to have a little on hand for those increasingly rare occasions when you need cash. But when I pay cash, I almost always use bills and let the change collect that the bottom of my money bag. When it gets heavy, I trade it in at one of those machines at the grocery store. It is not an efficient process, but it’s my process.
Turns out, a whole bunch of change in your bag is another thing that will get you called out of line for a review of your bag since the bag scanner can’t see through the change. Embarrassingly, this has happened twice. Once in Colorado Springs, Colorado and again, about a month ago en route to Nashville, Tennessee for Thanksgiving.
Beer Cap in My Jeans. Woops. That was a fun spot to get patted down.
Leggings. I’m 5’ 4” which I tell people is “average” because I heard that once somewhere and have adopted it as fact. But my legs are proportionately shorter. So, occasionally my leggings bunch up a little bit at the bottom. Apparently, this too will set off the security scanner.
On this first day of a new year, I can’t help but wonder, what new things will result in added security screening in the year ahead?!
