Tips on taking young children through the security checkpoint

by Scott Carmichael on

If you plan to fly with a young child this Summer, you may want to watch the video embedded above. It shows the ordeal of a three year old child who was selected for a secondary screening. As is often the case, the TSA shows how not to deal with a child who is obviously scared of what is being done to her.
The video mentions a couple of things you can do to make the experience more relaxing for them. Some of the things I would add are:

  • Be sure to empty their pockets – little kids often add coins and other metal objects to their pockets, so just like you go through your own pockets, do the same for your kid(s).
  • Tell your child that they’ll need to put their teddy, dolly or other comfort item in their bag, taking items like that through the checkpoint will only delay things. Be creative, and tell your child that their teddy needs a checkup. I suggest putting their item in your luggage well before you reach the checkpoint, that way they’ll have a couple of minutes to get used to the idea. Let them know that they can get it back as soon as you reach the other end of the checkpoint.
  • If you do run into a TSA agent that demands to subject your child to a secondary screening, try and make sure you explain to your child what the (bad) man or women is going to do, and if possible, turn it into a fun game.
  • If the TSA agent is clearly being too rough with your child, make some noise, demand a private screening and request a supervisor. Do not accept anyone at the checkpoint that is rough or rude to your child.
  • I would not recommend recording the screening with your mobile phone (like done in the video above) as it may only make matters worse. If something really bad is happening, the TSA supervisor will be able to review their own video material.

Daily gear deal – Swiss Clipper airport friendly multitool for $23

by Scott Carmichael on

Today’s gear deal is for the new Wenger Swiss Clipper AT multi tool.

This airport friendly tool complies with all TSA regulations, and in the special “AT” version, the knife has been removed, and replaced with a mini screwdriver. You also get a pair of scissors, a nail file and (for the first time on any Swiss knife), a nail clipper.

Of course, you also get the signature toothpick and tweezers hidden away in the handles.

The Swiss Clipper AT normally retails for about $30, but is available from Buy.com for just $22.99 (plus $7 shipping). Clip this thing onto your key chain, and you’ll always have 7 handy tools with you.

That said – I do recommend carrying a copy of the TSA regulations with you, as the agency has a nasty habit of making up rules at the checkpoint, and you are bound to eventually run into a checkpoint worker who will tell you to surrender your dangerous weapon.

TSA agent caught running a drug business on the side

by Scott Carmichael on

Look, we all know the economy is a little sour at the moment, so what do creative people do? They try and make a little extra cash on the side!

That is what entrepreneur Timothy Monroe did when his job as a TSA checkpoint agent didn’t pay enough.

So, Mr. Monroe picked a second job in a pretty stable kind of market – selling drugs.

During the daytime, Mr. Monroe protected our airports from deadly water bottles and nail clippers, and at night, he sold cocaine and marijuana to his customers.

Apparently this is against the law, because officers obtained a high-risk search warrant and raided his house.

In it, they found all the tools of his trade – guns, ammo, cash, cocaine and marijuana. A TSA spokesperson said they were “aware” of the allegations, and will take appropriate action.

5 days 5 bags – day 2: Skooba Design Checkthrough Brief

by Scott Carmichael on

Welcome to day 2 of “5 days 5 bags”. Today’s bag is the Skooba Design Checkthrough brief.

This TSA friendly laptop bag is designed to comply with the new TSA regulations that allow you to keep your laptop inside its bag at the checkpoint.


The Checkthrough features a “fold open” design with a clear window, and to prepare the bag for screening, you simply unzip it, fold it flat and place it on the X-Ray machine conveyor. To be sure their design worked as it should, Skooba submitted the bag for testing with Rapiscan, who make almost all the X-Ray machines at airports around the world.

The bag is very much a classic looking laptop bag. On the inside and out, you’ll find 20 different pockets and compartments, making it ideal for using as your office on the road.

The bag also features some very nice extra touches, like an elastic “pull out” ID pocket on the side, and an easy to read set of checkpoint instructions on the laptop portion, which make it perfect for when you run into a TSA agent who has not kept up to date with the newest regulations.

All in all a very nice and well designed laptop bag, especially if you prefer a classic look. The folding laptop portion is very easy to use, and should help keep your laptop nice and safe at the checkpoint. With its 20 pockets and pouches, you’ll have a hard time running out of space.

Dimensions (W*H*D): 17*13*7.5
Weight: 3lb
Colors available: Black
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $139.95
Product page: Skooba Design

TSA checkpoint fails to detect stun gun – airport ramp worker finds it

by Scott Carmichael on

Stories showing the incompetence of some of the agents in charge of screening our airports are getting a little boring – unfortunately the TSA keeps providing new examples of just how inefficient they can be.

An incident at Albany International Airport is just another where the TSA checkpoint missed a potentially hazardous item.

Amy Burns had passed through the checkpoint with her child and a stroller. Nobody at the checkpoint found anything, so she proceeded to the gate.

It wasn’t until a ramp worker prepared to load her stroller into the baggage hold when he discovered a stun gun stowed in the storage basket of the stroller.

Instead of admitting failure and apologizing for the mistake, a TSA spokesperson tried to spin things to make it appear that their “multiple levels of security” prevented the stun gun from getting on the plane. I was not aware that ramp workers were now part of the TSA.

In fact, had the passenger not left the item in her stroller, she would have been able to bring it on board. Of course, there is no evidence that she had intended to use it on the flight, but in a day and age where a nail file is considered a potential weapon, being able to sneak a stun gun past the trained security officers does not give me much faith in their screening skills.

(Via: Timesunion.com)