SECURITY

Feeling "Secure" or Mad about it?

I have a tiny pair of scissors....wait....HAD a tiny pair of scissors... that I travel with in my carryon.  Until recently no TSA Agent ever said a word.  Last vacation, for my flight home from Paris, they were taken from me.   Now understand...I have no problem that they were taken...I have a problem that I was mistreated.

This is a very common type of story one will hear and it is true from me.  If the scissors are too big feel free to remove them.  However, why is it then necessary to check everything I also have in the bag?  The X-ray lady didn't say anything about my eye shadow, compact, hairbrush, etc. but yet the other TSA lady decided that since my scissors were too large I must also be hiding something in my mascara????  It was ridiculous and I suppose it was some kind of punishment.

I just received an update about security changes: 

TSA officers will be asking travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similarly to how laptops have been screened for years. This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image. Passengers will experience a bag check if they fail to follow this procedure, which will slow screening for them and everyone else on line. Through extensive testing, TSA identified ways to improve screening procedures with quicker and more targeted measures to clear the bags and keep the public safe in the skies.  There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint; food and liquid items that comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, electronics, and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags. As always, TSA suggests passengers arrive to the airport two hours prior to their scheduled departure time to allow adequate time to navigate the ticketing, baggage and security screening processes.

Note: the new security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® who are using TSA Pre✓® lanes. Travelers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® do not need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, electronics, light outerwear, or belts. The program allows TSA to focus resources on passengers who may pose a high risk to security while providing expedited screening to those travelers who have been identified as low-risk, trusted travelers.

Although the update was actually announced earlier this year,  it will raise a new level of complaints, just watch and see.  I hear people complain about the security lines, the time it takes and how terrible it is to have to get to the airport so early. Millennials today have no idea what is "used to be like" luckily...or they would have more to complain about...LOL.

Recently there was an article about video recordings on ships.  Some people say they are an infraction of their privacy.  Really?  There is no such thing as privacy. It just isn't feasible anymore.  Think of all this as a "bonus feature" and concentrate on feeling safer instead of anger about needing to wake up an hour earlier.  

In Paris, I had to remind myself...safer is better.  I should be happy they took my scissors as it let's me know someone is at least paying attention.  I should instead be worried that I was able to get on a plane probably 10 times before they were noticed :)