The other day a colleague and I went to the airport at the same time and went through security at the same time. He gets held up by the TSA for the 'extra' bag search because he has a small amount of lip-balm in his bag. I walked right though with no problem.
What's in my bag? Or I should say, what's almost always in my bag? My Bogen Manfrotto 680B monopod. The thing weighs a few pounds, is made of metal and can be extended to five feet in length.
Yep, you can't take lip balm on board but a metal bat is OK. In all the trips I've taken this year I've never been questioned once about this, or received extra-screening. Of course I do use the CLEAR program so maybe that has something to do with it. However I mostly use CLEAR at the Orlando airport, they're just now opening up in SFO and other airports I frequent.
Visitor Comments
You know I have to comment on this. I can't help myself!! One of the things that drives me crazy about TSA is the inconsistency of what is and isn't allowed, and how they decide to search people. I carry lip balm in my purse, and have never been stopped for having it. Lip balm is not a liquid.
And Josh brings up an excellent question about his monopod, which could be used as a weapon, theoretically. And the Clear line has nothing to do with the situation, since you still go through the same TSA security that the rest of us do. It's crazy, but I keep TSA's list of banned items on my Treo just in case I get stuck.
Posted by: Benet | September 20, 2007 9:25 AM
Yes if you have a camera and film they will allow it, your demeaner is also taken into account. 50% of all checks include your reaction to what TSA is doing. They also allow knitting needles but they also look at the total package. I worked for them for a few years until I blew my knee out hard.
Posted by: Charles P Ringling | October 22, 2007 8:39 AM