Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Recent Comments:
Vibrators "okay," according to TSA {Gadling}
Jun 20th 2011 3:43PM I used to work for CATSA (The Canadian TSA) and we never had problems with letting vibrators through security. Unless it's a bomb component, or hiding a knife blade I don't know why vibrators would be banned.
Welcome back to New Orleans {Gadling}
Sep 13th 2010 12:51PM A few years back I gave serious consideration to visiting New Orleans, but ending up going to Europe instead. Now I've been watching the show Treme and New Orleans has sparked by curiosity and wanderlust again. Thanks for the tips, I'm hoping to visit sometime next year.
75,000 teddy bears left behind in hotels every year {Gadling}
Aug 26th 2010 1:51AM 25% does seem a little high for a statistic, I have a feeling it's not entirely accurate but I could be wrong. I work at a hotel and there's always lots of things that are left unclaimed. After a few months in storage whatever isn't claimed gets donated to the salvation army. So hopefully even the Teddy bears who are left behind get put into a new home.
Ten tips to make your trip through the airport security checkpoint easier on everyone {Gadling}
Feb 2nd 2010 5:55PM Yeah that Dildo could've been wrapped but it still would show up on the x-ray. unless it's wrapped in like solid lead, but then it would have to be opened up because they'd need to see what's in the lead.
Ten tips to make your trip through the airport security checkpoint easier on everyone {Gadling}
Jan 31st 2010 8:05PM Great suggestions, as someone who (unfortunately) used to work for airport security every little bit that helps enlighten the masses is a good thing. My additional suggestions for an easier security process:
Don't assume you're an expert. Maybe you travel a lot, but the rules can change. So listen to what the security officer is telling you to do. They want to get you through as quick as possible.
Don't be an asshole. Just because you forgot that you have a pocket knife in your bag doesn't mean you should be a dick. To be truthful it was the assholes complaining in the line that I would pull for "additional screening." Of course that's not to say everyone going for additional screening is an asshole, but being one might increase your chances. So be civil and polite. It'll be over soon enough
- Don't play dumb. You should have an idea of what is and isn't allowed on the plane... especially nowadays You should remove metals from your pocket, not wear a metal belt or shoes with metals (women this includes high heels - they have metal shanks for support). Don't pull the coins out of your pocket and say "I didn't realize this would beep." Of course it would, it's metal. Don't be an idiot - no one likes those.
Check the security website for information, don't rely on your airline or travel agent. Lot's of times (at least where I worked) the airlines would give people the wrong information, and tell them they could take certain items that weren't allowed. Or they couldn't take items that were okay. Not to blame airline personal, they have their own job to do. When people asked me about how to make their connection at the next airport I never pretended to know the answer. I'd tell them to ask the agent at the airline counter. Airlines might have some of an idea about security, but they won't know everything.
Give yourself lots of time, especially if you have connections to make or are traveling internationally. Don't stroll up to security ten minutes before boarding and expect to get bumped up to the front of the line. You can always try asking politely, but I've found being demanding or rolling out the (fake) tears won't work.
If you see a line with a training sign, try to avoid it. But if you do get stuck in a training line try to be patient. People think that spotting threats on an x-ray is easy, but when you're new to it, it'll take some time. Same with using the other equipment (walkways, scanners, swab tests, etc). Unless you've done the job yourself, and never made any mistakes you shouldn't complain about how it should be faster or done better.
With your checked bag, put it on the x-ray with the wheels up (unless told otherwise). The luggage belts often have steep angles, and when the wheels of a bag are down, it starts spinning as the belt moves it forward – then it gains momentum and crashes at the end. It isn't really a security tip, but if you don't want your bag to bust open or what's inside to break, put the wheels up. And make sure to do up the zippers, even if you don't lock them, do them up. Because I wasn't paid to pick up the crap that came out of people's luggage when they forgot to close it properly.
Also for everyone's info dildos are fine to go in your carry-on bag, although I'm not sure why it's something you'd “need” to take on a plane. One time Dr. Sue Johansson (a Canadian sex therapist and tv personnel) came through our security line. Her bag was full of toys and she took them all out and showed everything with an explanation of what each one did. It was quite funny. So yeah it might be kind of embarrassing but it isn't like a dildo is a security threat.
Thank god I don't work for airport security, the job was hell, the amount of crap you have to take is insane and the pay is never enough. I'm always nice to the people working at security - I know how shitty it was to work there.
