Flying Fun?

This past weekend I took my first flight since December 18, 2019. For me that's a long time not to fly. The flights were uneventful...TSA was another story. TSA was a nightmare. If you fly, be aware that TSA is going to invade your privacy, decency and your good humor. They did all three to me. I hope I was an exception, but you never know...just be aware.

First problem: I checked in with TSA and the agent said in FULL VOICE.."Next year you will not have to take off your shoes as you will be 75." I don't mind being 75 but did she have to tell the whole airport. 

Second problem: I put all my stuff in the assigned basket and went thru security. I'm wearing a necklace and I was told to wear it on my back. I did...but I was still frisked within a inch of my life for something. Since I'm almost 75, I would like to know what contraband I would be hiding? Of course when I asked, that was not revealed.

Third problem: The detectors found an item in my purse. The agent goes thru my purse and finally discovers a teeny tiny Victorinox "knife." I put knife in quotes because the whole item is about 1.5 inches long and the knife is smaller and it's considered a weapon. The knife has been living in my purse for about 20 years, has gone thru numerous flights during that time and it has never been discovered or considered a problem. Of course it had my name on it and it was a gift from my publisher. It was confiscated because I could hurt someone with it. When I asked if I could leave with them at the airport and pick it up when I returned, the answer was a resounding NO. So TSA got my little knife which I really liked and had some sentimental value.

Fourth problem: The detectors found an item in my one suitcase, which I had decided to carry on. The same agent now gets to paw thru all the stuff that was in the suitcase until finding the offending item, which was a tube of toothpaste...a brand new tube of toothpaste that was sealed and was prescription. Two agents felt that tube of toothpaste like it was a bomb or something and finally relented and said I could take the toothpaste. Now I was left with a suitcase that had to be put back together. 

Now these were problems I could have averted, IF I had remembered to A) remove the knife (which I had forgotten was in my purse) and B) not brought a full tube of toothpaste but a sample size. That was my fault as I completely forgot about the 3-1-1 rule. I've not been flying for over a year. 

On the other hand, TSA could have been polite, which they were not. I was treated like a criminal from the get go. I was frisked, stolen from, and then told to go on my merry way. Welcome to the new world of flying. It's no wonder that folks are on edge in an airplane because passing the TSA test is enough to put you there.