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TSA snags child's Christmas present: Think like TSA when packing your carry on
Think like TSA when you pack your Christmas presents for your flight home. If you don't think like TSA, your child may end up losing a gift. It almost happened to us.
In the past, I have said goodbye to a full bottle of suntan lotion and a corkscrew with a knife attached. Those were not fun to lose, but these were items that ended up in our carry on bag as we hurried. I've known about snow globes for awhile so I never would forget about one of those.
Still, to not be like me, don't pack in a hurry. Sift through that carry on bag one more time. Don't think logically; think like TSA. Items that may seem harmless to you can cause TSA's warning bells to ring. This summer, as Scott posted, one boy lost a Star Wars toy from Disneyland at a security checkpoint.
In general, when it comes to TSA's warning bells, I'm not one to argue, but when it came to one of my son's Christmas presents, I went head to head with Mr. TSA Man. I tried to stay polite even though I was mad enough I could have spit.
Here's how it went down and who won. Will a certain present be under the tree this year?
As a last minute shopping trip the day we flew out of the airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico this summer, I headed to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and my favorite gift shop. There, among other things, I bought a hand-painted, flimsy bow and arrow set for my son for a Christmas present.
Because both could be easily snapped in two--the arrow was more of a stick really with merely a suggestion of a tip, I decided to keep the set in the shopping bag and use the bag as a carry on. I had "toy" on the brain. I did not have my TSA thinking cap turned on.
As soon as Mr. TSA saw the bow and arrow through the monitor of the X-ray machine, he saw weapon. Of course he would. He's TSA Man.
TSA Man pulled the bow and arrow out of the bag.
"It's a child's toy." I tried to be reasonable in my tone.
TSA Man said, "It's a bow and arrow."
By this time the bow and arrow was on the counter in plain sight. My son looked happy to see it. "Is that for me?" he said. There went a Christmas surprise.
"Could you remove the arrow so we could take the bow?" I asked TSA man, thinking this might be a solution to keep us both satisfied. I really liked the bow.
"No," said TSA man.
"Why not?" By this time, TSA man was really getting on my nerves. I was trying to be helpful. He didn't seem to care that he ruined a perfectly good Christmas present that I wouldn't find anywhere else.
TSA Man: "Because it's a bow and arrow."
At this point, I may have said "That's dumb." I did say, "If you take off the arrow, wouldn't it be just a bow?"
"No," he said. "It's still a bow and arrow."
Recognizing the futility of the power of logic, I said, "Then I'll check it."
I had a carry on that the set would fit in and I'm stubborn.
I reached for the bow and arrow.
TSA Man: "You can't touch it. I have to carry it."
"Fine."
I waltzed toward the terminal door that lead out of security with my carry on and with TSA Man following close behind. He handed me the child's bow and arrow once I was on the main terminal side of the door.
Ever polite, I did say "Thanks," although by this time I did not sound pleasant.
The bow and arrow set made it home safely. Checking it last minute cost $15 dollars--twice as much as I paid for it. Oh, but keeping that bow and arrow set was so worth it.
This is a lesson in having a carry-on you can check if need be and enough time before your flight to do a last minute check in.
By the way, there were three wooden tomahawk toys in the shopping bag as well. I guess tomahawks aren't weapons.
The bow and arrow set is not going under the Christmas tree. My son already has it.
When you are packing, remember to think, what would TSA man think about this? If you're not sure, check out this list of prohibited items from the TSA website. Also, here's the information about traveling with food and gifts.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Stories, United States, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C Dec 25th 2009 1:57PM
Think like TSA? That's easy - treat every innocent passenger as a criminal and ruin your son's christmas present.
McCartyism is well alive within the TSA
Nick Dec 25th 2009 2:42PM
It is very easy to criticize the TSA.
They are here to protect us from incidents like these:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/25/airliner.firecrackers/index.html
Meg Dec 25th 2009 10:36PM
I'm afraid I just can't get my mind to the place where I'd think like the TSA official who made my sister-in-law remove my 4 month old niece's soft leather slippers. All shoes must be removed and put in the bin! Including, apparently, baby booties. I'm just not getting the security issue there.
Phil Jan 18th 2010 11:29PM
Similar event - different attitude. I had forgotten about a small maybe 2" samurai sword toy I had picked up in Japan. The screener saw it and pulled it. He spoke no English and I speak no Japanese. He spoke to his supervisor, who explained that since it was almost time for me to board, the screener wanted to go with me to the United counter so they could pack it for me. He led me there, got the manager who personally packed it in a small box and checked it for me. The screener led me back through security and to my gate, then bowed before going back to his post.
Igor Jan 24th 2012 5:07PM
I was searching for someone with similar experience. I am a frequent frying and not that I want a break for this but just saying it so you know I am familiar with TSA process. I has never really bothered me before. Over the years I got used to pretty much ignoring them but today it got to me. Promised my son to get a bow and arrow for good behavior. On my way from Phoenix stopped at a local gift shop and picked up a toy bow and arrow, which looks even more like a toy than the one in your case. Made completely out of plastic. Same thing the case was made for a replica bow and arrow. At first I actually thought they were joking and finally asked to see the supervisor. No luck, had to check it. Not sure what all i said but never coursed or insulted anyone directly, but I did say to the supervisor "I will tell you what I think of your organization but I am sure you know". That was it. Back on the road, learned my lesson and will continue to play by the rules created by the idiots in TSA.
Jamie Rhein Apr 2nd 2012 11:14PM
Hi Igor,
I saw your comment about the bow and arrow. It sounds like you were able to check yours. Good for you for checking it! Sometimes the price is worth it. As for us, we still have the bow and arrow. I think it's more mine than my son's.