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Topic: Airport security embarrassment  (Read 6188 times)

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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #45 on: May 05, 2006, 12:14:33 PM »
I've been "chosen" for additional security checks several times (I attribute it to being "non-white". Several times I've been pulled aside whilst my wife gets onboard without question). 

I often get "chosen," too. For me, I think it's because my last name is Muslim. As soon as they see the passport of a person with the same name as a terrorist ... BINGO!
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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #46 on: May 05, 2006, 01:38:37 PM »
Here's an example of inept security:  I've been "chosen" for additional security checks several times (I attribute it to being "non-white". Several times I've been pulled aside whilst my wife gets onboard without question). 

Oh yes...don't get me started on this one.  You can imagine the fun when DH and I travel - good thing he doesn't have more of a beard or we'd never make our flights on time!  We are always pulled away for extra security - and my poor dad, who is a diabetic and carries syringes with him - it takes him forever to get done with the questioning.


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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #47 on: May 05, 2006, 09:15:56 PM »
If only airport security was standard at every airport across one country...

Another thing I find strange, is that after 9/11, there was so much security and now there isn't as much (no more guards with big guns at LAX for example).  Wouldn't it make more sense that if terrorists are going to strike, they would do it when the security guard is down?

The guards with the big guns are still at LAX, and those are mighty big guns. Loads of airport police there too.


Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #48 on: May 07, 2006, 03:06:09 AM »
I'm not saying that there isn't racial profiling but I'm white and have an Irish surname and still always end up getting frisked and having my bags searched and I have non-caucasian friends and family who breeze right through without a problem. Maybe I just have that look like I'm up to something. :P


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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #49 on: May 16, 2006, 08:46:11 PM »
It doesn't bother me so much to go through the line in my socks, it's funny though in Minneapolis sometimes they make me take them off and sometimes not. I think the most "embarrassing" time I've had with airport security was in Amsterdam. Wow, the lady there felt me up and down, quite literally. I was ill at the thought of how many other people's pants she stuck her hands down because I never noticed her changing her gloves in between! I am all for tight security but that was horrible!  :-[

I had a woman frisk me once in Manchester Airport. It was very early in the morning, one of the first flights, and she looked uncomfortable by it, especially after I said "The least you could do is buy me dinner first".

I don't have any problems with how tight security can be. What I have the problem with is the freaking massive immigration lines for non-americans and the teeny tiny line for Americans and the fact that I have to go into the non-american ones because Jon and I have to stick together. Bah!
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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #50 on: May 16, 2006, 08:53:41 PM »
The last time I flew out of LHR, I had my hand luggage checked TWICE and I was pulled over for additional checks before boarding the plane.  It was weird.  I've never been checked like that before.  Apparently, I was suspicious that day.  I hate airport security. 
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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #51 on: May 16, 2006, 09:54:59 PM »
and the fact that I have to go into the non-american ones because Jon and I have to stick together. Bah!
we do the same thing on both sides of the pond.. so they are longer  on both ends..  :(
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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #52 on: May 16, 2006, 11:05:35 PM »
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!!

Want to hear something really bad??  When I was flying out of ORD last year, they picked my suitcase to search and I was watching as they grabbed my female "toy" and began to laugh!.  Luckily they didn't know it was MY suitcase!!!


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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #53 on: May 16, 2006, 11:08:32 PM »
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.

SeaTac (Seattle) does this too...but its worse than Chicago because EVERYONE has to take their shoes off.


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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #54 on: May 17, 2006, 10:29:31 AM »
What I have the problem with is the freaking massive immigration lines for non-americans and the teeny tiny line for Americans and the fact that I have to go into the non-american ones because Jon and I have to stick together. Bah!

Ashley, when Steve & I flew over in April -- this actually worked in our favor!  Most of the people on the flight were Brits, so their line was massive.  I asked the lady directing people if Steve & I could go through the same line together, and she had us both go through the American line.  In the Atlanta airport at least, they have all the same equipment at each station so they looked over my American passport & were still able to photograph & fingerprint DH as a Brit at the same desk.  There was no line!  And Steve said -- well I guess there is a benefit to being married to an American after all! :P

It took longer for us to clear immigration on this trip coming back into the UK, than it did in the US -- 'cause they had us go through the non-EU line together which only got allotted one agent & so moved slower.
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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #55 on: May 17, 2006, 07:26:24 PM »
We had the opposite when we flew back to Baltimore in Jan...because most of our flight was mostly non-US folks so they didn't separate the lines (all lines were for everyone) so we had to stand in a very long line to get through. One of the officials told me so.  They could have at least had one line for US citizens and their spouses/kids. (My husband has always been allowed to come through the line with me as well).


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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #56 on: May 20, 2006, 01:49:03 AM »
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!  ;)


Hey whatever, i wish they would yell louder because 80 percent of the morons in line are not even ready when they get up to the scanner.  I watch everybody in line in front of me groan because of the line and then they get up there and still have to untie shoes, remove belt, watch, keys, change.  I hate those people.  So I say scream louder because people just don't get it.  I also hate people that stand there and listen to them say "boarding pass and passport" and then they still have to get it out of their bag or they try to run it through the xray machine.  Why is it I am the only one in the world that is capable of flying.

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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #57 on: May 20, 2006, 09:28:56 AM »
Why is it I am the only one in the world that is capable of flying.
Are you? Unless youre speaking of your wings Im sure I dont understand how you are the only one in the world that is capable of flying.


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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #58 on: May 20, 2006, 11:04:58 AM »
I haven't flown anywhere since 1996, and by the sounds of things it's lost its attraction.  :(

Did anyone see the item on ABC World News yesterday about the supposedly "undercover" air marshals on flights?


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Re: Airport security embarrassment
« Reply #59 on: May 20, 2006, 12:47:57 PM »

 So I say scream louder

That's never the answer.  :(    ;)


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