Airport security embarrassment

Am I being weird or does anyone else feel a bit embarrassed when you go through the security screen at airports? When I fly out of Chicago we have to remove so many things, shoes, coats, sweaters/sweatshirts if your wearing something underneath, belts, etc. They herd you through like cattle and then you stand at the end getting dressed with everyone else. Last time it was really weird because I was putting my boots and belt on and there was a business man putting on his shoes, belt and jacket. He smiled at me and I just felt really weird. Wish we didnt have to live in such a crazy world!!

They made my 3yr old remove his shoes at ORD. I have not flown out of any other US airports to draw a comparison. It does seem a little over the top.

They made my 3yr old remove his shoes at ORD. I have not flown out of any other US airports to draw a comparison. It does seem a little over the top.

RIGHT!! They are like airport Nazi's there! They even yell at you going through the line. "EVERYONE MUST HAVE THEIR BOARDING PASS AND PASSPORT READY FOR INSPECTION!!!"
I much prefer Heathrow where they have a nice little quiet video for you to watch as you wait in line. Everyone very polite and white-gloved! 

Its something we now have to get used to.  It doesnt really bother me.  When I was leaving Madrid to fly back to SF, right after 9/11, I had my backpack searched.  And I mean searched, right before I boarded the plane, by two Spanish Police Officers, not just airport security.  They randomly chose passengers for this.  They even opened up all my makeup.  Now, that was weird!

I did a double take flying to the UK last year- I changed planes in London to fly to Manchester and had to go through security again...I was just about to take off my shoes when I realized that no one else was, and I started to take out my laptop from its case only to be told that I didn't have to.  Made me realize just how different things are in the US now... 

Its something we now have to get used to.  It doesnt really bother me.  When I was leaving Madrid to fly back to SF, right after 9/11, I had my backpack searched.  And I mean searched, right before I boarded the plane, by two Spanish Police Officers, not just airport security.  They randomly chose passengers for this.  They even opened up all my makeup.  Now, that was weird!

I thankfully have never been stopped but Im always prepared. I always make sure I dont bring items too personal that could cause me embarrassment. I refuse to name these items.     Also I always make sure all my clothes are clean and folded properly on my return home as I know all bags leaving the international terminal at O'hare get opened and searched.

when I was traveling from AZ to CO in the US.. I unfortunately was wearing a  skirt..and since they can't properly 'wand' you.. I had  to step one leg forward..blah blah.. I felt like it was  a test of endurance  or a balance test which I don't have..

true..it's something we get used to i guess.. But I hate when i don't remember to  wear easy slip off shoes..some airports have even had me take off  a barrette.. 

i HATE that dressing room feeling at the  end of the line as  well.. pretty soon we'll just travel in jammies and  slippers..  no belts  or laces.. 

pretty soon we'll just travel in jammies and  slippers..  no belts  or laces.. 

Ah that would be nice actually!! 
Mental patient Airways! 

It is embarrassing.  I used to travel quite a bit for my previous job back in the US.  ORD was one of the strictest airports.  As a result, their security queues were always ridiculously long.  

One time, I was wearing a suit with just a thin-strapped camisole underneath.  All you could see was a tiny bit of lace at the top of the camisole, peeking out from under the jacket.  Figuring I wouldn't have been taking off my suit jacket, I had worn a bra that completely did not go with the camisole.  Of course, security wanted me to remove my jacket.  I just unbuttoned it and showed them what I would be subjecting all of the other passengers to; so they just let me leave it on.  Little did I recall, but I hadn't removed my Swiss army knife (which I always carry with me, everywhere I go).  Surprisingly enough, they didn't catch it.  So I flew carrying a knife.  Sweet safety!  

My mom, on the other hand, didn't have such good luck with airport security.  I sent my parents away to Bermuda for their 30th anniversary.  This was also post-9/11, and neither of them had flown in about 10 years.  My mom brought her crocheting with her to do on the plane.  Wouldn't you know it, they confiscated her crochet hook.  Not big knitting needles or anything--just a little light, hollow, round-edged crochet hook--no more menacing than a pen.  Her recently-deceased grandmother had given it to her when she taught my mom how to crochet, as a little girl.  And apparently they said, "we have a weapon here!"  My mom was so embarrassed; she cried.

I always make sure I dont bring items too personal that could cause me embarrassment. I refuse to name these items.  

Ah yes, those items.  They go in the checked baggage.  Even if security opens the bags, at least they can't put a face with the items.   

I had two incidents of note.  Once when I was in ORD (I think), I had one of those thin sweatshirts on that have a zipper down the middle (kind of like a hoodie) and no T shirt underneath.  They actually wanted me to take it off and I was like, sorry nothing underneath!  They let it go then.

Second I was in BWI on business and had a suit on.  I took off my winter coat and shoes and still set off the alarms.  They did the wand, patted me down, I took off my suit jacket and then they were starting to ask each other if I should take more off.  I said, well not much more to take off!

I think these people just want to see me in my underwear....

The whole idea of flying doesn't thrill me anymore because of the A-Z things you have to do. Its a big chore.

Remember the days when air travel was actually nice and part of your vacation....rather than your vacation starting once you land. Oh the good old days!

I flew out of JFK on July 4th last year,so obviously security was very very tight. Everyone had to take off their shoes,and  only one person at a time was allowed to put their stuff in to get x-rayed,everyone else had to wait outside the door to be called in.

OMG you should try going through security in Sydney, or indeed any of the Aussie airports.  Those guys take every opportunity to use that wand thing as a flirtation aid.

I fly a ton, so I am used to everything. The only thing that really bothers me is the taking off the shoe thing.  I don't travel in nice comfy socks and trainers.  If I am lucky I am wearing knee high stockings.  Not a lot between skin and floor, if anything.  I think the least they could do is keep the area near security clean if they are asking me to walk around barefoot. 

Flying a lot just highlights the inconsistencies in safety checks....

Shoes in the US deadly weapon....in Europe strictly footwear.
Laptops in the US (and UK now) possible bomb....Rest of Europe it's just a device to do work on.
Germany you get the full frisk every time, regardless of whether you set off alarms....US only does it randomly.

And for those of you who have not flown out of Terminal 4 at Heathrow recently, they have implemented a new X-ray Body Scanning policy.  Everyone now has to be scanned by X-ray.  Makes cues massive, but last time I was there they were broken and they were doing random manual checks.  I asked about the safety of being X-ray a lot and they said their studies concluded you could be x-rayed up to 5000 times a year or something like that.  They also said that pregnant women can refuse and request a manual search.