Not since 9/11, but I had the drug dog sniff me out after returning from my honeymoon in CA. They told me "there's no way you have NOT smoked pot in the past few days, the way the dog is reacting".
I do not smoke pot, BTW.
So I was freaking out, I've heard stories of people stashing stuff in a backpack, etc, while you're not looking and trying to get it off you on the other side if you make it through. I mean, I knew I wasn't smoking pot for chrissakes, so the dog must have been picking me out for a reason...
Well, after over an hour of having EVERYTHING in our suitcases taken out and gone over, my credit cards checked for cocaine residue, and having to do a little strip show for 3 security guys, we were finally on our way. No body cavity search thank god, but I had to go buck naked. I did the windmill for the bastards and tossed my underwear at the guy. I was ****ing mad.
There was another couple, an older chinese couple, and a few guys that were also picked out by the dog... and we all were released. I told the guy to let his ****ing dog have a nap, he must be tired. (they sit down in front of you to "mark" you)
So anyway, we get out of there and went to our gate. Look out the window. Yeah, that's our plane on fire. Smoke coming out of the engine and 5 guys with their hands in their pockets looking at it. Confidence inspiring stuff.
We went to the bar and sucked back a few stiff drinks, came back out to see that our plane had been extinguished, and got on board.
It is a subliminal message from God to inform you that from now on when you get naked and the flames of passion start a burnin bright in your loins, they will quickly be extinguished. Such is the life of the married man.
I was flying from Atlanta back to Portland and I had an odd security experience. Basically all the airport security people in Atlanta are African American or black, which ever you perfer. Anyway, the only people that were getting set aside for security checks were white. This was the case at all the gates I looked at (including my gate). Aparently there's still a lot of hate down in Dixie, too bad.
murbot, that is an absurd story (not "I don't believe you" absurd, just odd)! Why would you even get on a plane that was on fire only a little while ago?
So do you forgive the dog now? Don't you wish dogs could talk so he could have just said, "Don't get on that plane! I see dead people. Uhh, woof." over "I smell some wicked pot up yo a$$, be-atch! Spread'em, sucka! Grrr."
A good friend of mine is from Pakistan. A few months before 9/11 he had been travelling quite a bit. Within a few months prior, he had been to Korea, Amsterdam and Paris on different occasions. A few months after 9/11 he made another trip to Korea. He had just dropped out of school, had closed a business he owned and used the cash to pay off his school loans and credit cards and was going to be travelling with about $2000 in cash. He also had decided to bleach his hair a week before leaving for his flight. I saw him the day before his flight and he was almost in a panick. Another friend of his, another Pakistani, had told him he had managed to match pretty much all of the possible criteria, racial and otheriwse, that could get him an extremely thourough searching at the airport. His friend told him his matches would be: Young muslim male, recent drop out, good amount of cash, recent debt repayment, changed appearance, and recent travel to Europe and Asia. He was considering dying his hair back, and reducing the amount of cash he was bringing. I told him to get travellers cheques and bring his own bottle of vaseline to speed up the cavity search. Turns out he wasn't searched at all, just scanned. He was however stupid enough to buy and put a pocket knife of his keychain while in Korea...this got him a closer inspection on the way back.
On a different note, try carrying an opened pack of green tic-tacs with you next time you fly. It appearantly triggers some explosive detectors. Years ago, when I was university, I was flying home for holidays and the guards wand started beeping at my pocket. She asked me what was in it and I said tic-tacs...she asked 'gree ones?', and said yes. She explained they some how can register as explosives. No problem, showed her them and I was on my way. Always thought a good practical joke would be to empty a pack of tic-tacs into someone's carryone bag. Post 9/11 that doesn't seem so funny.
[quote]I was always curious as to how that worked... did you have to let them knew beforehand? register the package? search the bags?<hr></blockquote>
you don't have to call beforehand, but i always do to be safe.
you need to have the weapon and the ammunition in seperate cases, both of which can lock. you are only allowed 11lbs. of ammo per weapon.
you have to bring the locked cases to the ticket counter, where you're supposed to show the employee that the weapons are not loaded. (although i've yet to see a single person who even has a clue if they're loaded or not)
then you get a form to sign, you put it inside with the weapon and you lock it up and give it to them.
i always show up early when transporting them, but i've never had a problem yet. although you do get a few strange looks from other passengers, especially now.
about the ankle thing pscates, that's really weird. i shattered my anlke a few years back too. (right one)
i had 13 screws and a plate in there for a while. broke the smaller of the two leg bones as well. i used to set off detectors all the time. just get a card from your doctor, it helps.
i finally had them take it all out though, the metal was causing problems.
I go into airports expecting to get stopped and searched based on how I look, not as a terrorist but as somebody who'd be smuggling drugs.
I've had other passengers standing in line tell me that they expect I'll get searched.
I never have been. I've flow at least 5 or 6 round trip flights since 9/11 and I have yet to be stopped. The closest to being searched was at Logan where they went through all the pockets in my coat looking for what turned out to be an EpiPen.
I've flown twice now since 9/11. I've had to take off my shoes both times. Other than that it was no big deal.
The second time I flew I had a recharger for my digital camera with me but I packed that with my checked in luggage so I wouldn't have ny problems at the gate. Pre-9/11 I wouldn't have checked anything in. I would have had everything in a carry-on but I don't think that's going to work anymore.
<strong>The second time I flew I had a recharger for my digital camera with me but I packed that with my checked in luggage so I wouldn't have ny problems at the gate.</strong><hr></blockquote>When I flew during Code Fuschia a few weeks ago they didn't distinguish between carry-ons and checked baggage - it was all checked while u waited.
If it makes you feel any better, I fly several times a week, sometimes several times a day, and I occassionally get the same "treatment" ... all while sporting a nice uniform with stripes on the sleeves and a funky hat (pilot).
I'll save my jaded/cynical opinion on these efforts for another post, but just thought you'd appreciate that we get harrassed... i mean "searched" ... too.
I've flown a lot since 9/11, and I think it was worse a year ago than it is now. Usually, they don't spend too much time on me. I usually fly with my Nikon camera kit and a handful of film all in my carry-on, and they have only pulled it all out twice, and that was at the gate and they were doing it to everyone. Only had to take my shoes off twice, never my belt.
The only holdups I notice are really long lines, which you can sometimes avoid at certain airports if you're a Medallion member of your airline.
My personal favorite airport event was this past September when I flew into Canada. I don't have a passport, so when I got to the customs agent, I told him that. He asked for some ID, so I gave him an expired driver's license and an expired NORBA Racing license. He gave them a quick once over, handed them back, smiled and said, "Welcome to Canada, have a nice stay."
Similar experience getting back into the states too
Last month i do a trip between Paris and one of the small caraiban island, Guadeloupe. There where several checks. I have to remove both my belt and my shoes.
I ask the policewomen why i have to take off my shoes (it's sailor's shoes, i never thinked that there was any metal in it) : she replied to me the shoes are the things that are on your feets, you have to remove them and place it in the carrier here. I was very pleased by this answer , after a while she explain me that there where a plate of metal in my shoes. Why the hell did not tell me simply that before ?
The travel for the return was more cool, even if they where also several checks and controls.
Hmm, I flew from SFO to Heathrow, didn't get searched (my person or bag) despite having like 5 different electronics things in my carry-on bag.
And yet, for some reason, I had to take my shoes off in Fort Lauderdale on a flight to Oakland on Southwest. Which flight sounds more high risk to you?
And man, you people make me feel like I fly a lot.
<strong>If it makes you feel any better, I fly several times a week, sometimes several times a day, and I occassionally get the same "treatment" ... all while sporting a nice uniform with stripes on the sleeves and a funky hat (pilot).
I'll save my jaded/cynical opinion on these efforts for another post, but just thought you'd appreciate that we get harrassed... i mean "searched" ... too.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I never get searched.
In fact I keep a Sig P229 in my flight bag alongside my logbook. Ok so I only make class D airspace runs but I still never get searched.
Nothing wrong with carrying on a small plane, outside of the airline terminals ... (assuming you have a permit or whatever permisison is required from your state.)
Boeing 737's, thank god, not for United
If memory serves me correctly, I got my ME-I rating in a Dutchess, many years ago. I've since made the mistake of letting it expire .... If you have a CFI, DON"T LET IT EXPIRE ! (just trust me).
Comments
I do not smoke pot, BTW.
So I was freaking out, I've heard stories of people stashing stuff in a backpack, etc, while you're not looking and trying to get it off you on the other side if you make it through. I mean, I knew I wasn't smoking pot for chrissakes, so the dog must have been picking me out for a reason...
Well, after over an hour of having EVERYTHING in our suitcases taken out and gone over, my credit cards checked for cocaine residue, and having to do a little strip show for 3 security guys, we were finally on our way. No body cavity search thank god, but I had to go buck naked. I did the windmill for the bastards and tossed my underwear at the guy. I was ****ing mad.
There was another couple, an older chinese couple, and a few guys that were also picked out by the dog... and we all were released. I told the guy to let his ****ing dog have a nap, he must be tired. (they sit down in front of you to "mark" you)
So anyway, we get out of there and went to our gate. Look out the window. Yeah, that's our plane on fire. Smoke coming out of the engine and 5 guys with their hands in their pockets looking at it. Confidence inspiring stuff.
We went to the bar and sucked back a few stiff drinks, came back out to see that our plane had been extinguished, and got on board.
Perfect ending to a honeymoon.
<strong>i got checked over big time last time i flew, but i also checked some handguns and ammunition, so i was kind of expecting that.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I was always curious as to how that worked... did you have to let them knew beforehand? register the package? search the bags?
So do you forgive the dog now? Don't you wish dogs could talk so he could have just said, "Don't get on that plane! I see dead people. Uhh, woof." over "I smell some wicked pot up yo a$$, be-atch! Spread'em, sucka! Grrr."
CoD- <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
[ 03-05-2003: Message edited by: Randycat99 ]</p>
On a different note, try carrying an opened pack of green tic-tacs with you next time you fly. It appearantly triggers some explosive detectors. Years ago, when I was university, I was flying home for holidays and the guards wand started beeping at my pocket. She asked me what was in it and I said tic-tacs...she asked 'gree ones?', and said yes. She explained they some how can register as explosives. No problem, showed her them and I was on my way. Always thought a good practical joke would be to empty a pack of tic-tacs into someone's carryone bag. Post 9/11 that doesn't seem so funny.
you don't have to call beforehand, but i always do to be safe.
you need to have the weapon and the ammunition in seperate cases, both of which can lock. you are only allowed 11lbs. of ammo per weapon.
you have to bring the locked cases to the ticket counter, where you're supposed to show the employee that the weapons are not loaded. (although i've yet to see a single person who even has a clue if they're loaded or not)
then you get a form to sign, you put it inside with the weapon and you lock it up and give it to them.
i always show up early when transporting them, but i've never had a problem yet. although you do get a few strange looks from other passengers, especially now.
about the ankle thing pscates, that's really weird. i shattered my anlke a few years back too. (right one)
i had 13 screws and a plate in there for a while. broke the smaller of the two leg bones as well. i used to set off detectors all the time. just get a card from your doctor, it helps.
i finally had them take it all out though, the metal was causing problems.
-alcimedes
I've had other passengers standing in line tell me that they expect I'll get searched.
I never have been. I've flow at least 5 or 6 round trip flights since 9/11 and I have yet to be stopped. The closest to being searched was at Logan where they went through all the pockets in my coat looking for what turned out to be an EpiPen.
The second time I flew I had a recharger for my digital camera with me but I packed that with my checked in luggage so I wouldn't have ny problems at the gate. Pre-9/11 I wouldn't have checked anything in. I would have had everything in a carry-on but I don't think that's going to work anymore.
<strong>The second time I flew I had a recharger for my digital camera with me but I packed that with my checked in luggage so I wouldn't have ny problems at the gate.</strong><hr></blockquote>When I flew during Code Fuschia a few weeks ago they didn't distinguish between carry-ons and checked baggage - it was all checked while u waited.
I'll save my jaded/cynical opinion on these efforts for another post, but just thought you'd appreciate that we get harrassed... i mean "searched" ... too.
The only holdups I notice are really long lines, which you can sometimes avoid at certain airports if you're a Medallion member of your airline.
My personal favorite airport event was this past September when I flew into Canada. I don't have a passport, so when I got to the customs agent, I told him that. He asked for some ID, so I gave him an expired driver's license and an expired NORBA Racing license. He gave them a quick once over, handed them back, smiled and said, "Welcome to Canada, have a nice stay."
Similar experience getting back into the states too
I ask the policewomen why i have to take off my shoes (it's sailor's shoes, i never thinked that there was any metal in it) : she replied to me the shoes are the things that are on your feets, you have to remove them and place it in the carrier here. I was very pleased by this answer
The travel for the return was more cool, even if they where also several checks and controls.
And yet, for some reason, I had to take my shoes off in Fort Lauderdale on a flight to Oakland on Southwest. Which flight sounds more high risk to you?
And man, you people make me feel like I fly a lot.
<strong>If it makes you feel any better, I fly several times a week, sometimes several times a day, and I occassionally get the same "treatment" ... all while sporting a nice uniform with stripes on the sleeves and a funky hat (pilot).
I'll save my jaded/cynical opinion on these efforts for another post, but just thought you'd appreciate that we get harrassed... i mean "searched" ... too.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I never get searched.
In fact I keep a Sig P229 in my flight bag alongside my logbook. Ok so I only make class D airspace runs but I still never get searched.
BTW whut choo fly?
I'm stuck in a Dutchess.
Boeing 737's, thank god, not for United
If memory serves me correctly, I got my ME-I rating in a Dutchess, many years ago. I've since made the mistake of letting it expire .... If you have a CFI, DON"T LET IT EXPIRE ! (just trust me).