CZinSC Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 So I was traveling from Charlotte to Boston on Sunday, and while going through the X Ray machine at Charlotte, TSA did an extra check on my laptop bag. I travel a lot and it happens now and again ( I stuff my bag with laptop, extra batteries, EReader, GPS, etc) and I try to remove as much as I can, but sometimes I forget things and they do an extra check. No big deal. On Sunday, they did it again, plus they did the swab test. As I’m watching the machine, my eyes got as big as saucers when the test came back positive for explosives!! Oh crap..what’s in my bag? I don’t use it for shooting, it’s my work laptop bag, it never goes to the range with me. So after the 5 minute full body pat down, by the way, if you haven’t had this done yet…it’s pretty invasive! I didn’t care, takes A LOT to offend me, and the TSA agent was polite and explained what he was doing the whole time, but thoughts of “geesh, I got less of a hands on experience at my last doctor’s visit” ran through my mind. Anyway, they took just about everything big out of my bag, searched it, found nothing. They asked me what I did for a living, and I told them the truth, a sales rep for large electronics company. For a brief second I thought about saying I’m a competition shooter and reload my own ammo, but the idea of saying the words “gun” “shooter” “ammo” while standing at TSA sent shivers up my spine so I kept my mouth shut. They seemed satisfied, so they sent me on my way. I usually get to the airport early enough so missing the flight wasn’t a concern. So today, I’m getting my stuff together, flight home is tomorrow, and I figure, dump the entire bag, make damn sure there is nothing that would cause a problem if I get the same routine tomorrow. Lo and behold, out drops a 9mm bullet. Just the bullet, not a live round. Son of a bisquit! Thank god they didn’t find that…probably would have had a lot of explaining to do. So my question now is…it was a new bullet, not used, no case, could there have been enough reside from the powder on it from just handling while reloading to set off the detector? I’ve seen another post that people went back and forth saying smokeless powder won’t set it off, others saying it would. Anyone ever get a concrete answer on that? The only other possibility I can think of is that I know I threw a spent case in the bag recently to take to work to show fellow Enos member Glefos something about the reloading of a certain bullet, but again, would the residue set off the explosives detector? Either way I may just try to blame him! ( it’s all his fault anyway right? ) If I get the full body grope tomorrow I’ll let you know. Either way, the plan is to get to the airport VERY early in case I get pulled aside again. Oh yeah, the 9mm bullet is in the garbage at the hotel. I’ve got over 3000 at home, I don’t need the aggravation that that will potentially cause! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skydiver Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 It also depends on which airport you are at. Seattle is used to shooters/hunters flying in and out. They don't go into full panic mode when it's just brass, or just bullets. Complete cartridges, on the other hand, will be a hassle including getting on their watch list (at least it's not the no-fly list), and a warning letter from TSA. A friend of mine had a live bullet tucked deep in her jacket going through the metal detector as she was escorting somebody at the airport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 It also depends on which airport you are at. Seattle is used to shooters/hunters flying in and out. They don't go into full panic mode when it's just brass, or just bullets. They may be used to shooters flying in and out, but they gave me the full blown 15 minute, every item out of the suitcase, every item examined, wiped for residue, etc. search when I flew out last month with a declared 1911 and Kel-Tec. Checking a gun elsewhere has gotten me the glance and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Gunpowder "should" test positive. There are very few actual bases for military, commercial and recreational propellants and explosives, and they are all pretty close, which makes the testing easier. Just for giggles, last time I got singled out for the full body pat (and I had 4 hours before my flight left), I told the TSA agent I was "gay" and preferred a female agent. I was afterall "happy" at the time. Without missing a beat, he went to the supervisor and she came and did the pat down herself. I think she knew I was yanking on the chain, but she did not seem to care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZinSC Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Gunpowder "should" test positive. There are very few actual bases for military, commercial and recreational propellants and explosives, and they are all pretty close, which makes the testing easier. Just for giggles, last time I got singled out for the full body pat (and I had 4 hours before my flight left), I told the TSA agent I was "gay" and preferred a female agent. I was afterall "happy" at the time. Without missing a beat, he went to the supervisor and she came and did the pat down herself. I think she knew I was yanking on the chain, but she did not seem to care. Now that's funny! I'm at the airport now, past security. No issues this time, didn't get the extra check. Definitely need to clean the bag thoroughly when I get home in case there is still some residue on it somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hvsmith Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 So I was traveling from Charlotte to Boston on Sunday, and while going through the X Ray machine at Charlotte, TSA did an extra check on my laptop bag. I travel a lot and it happens now and again ( I stuff my bag with laptop, extra batteries, EReader, GPS, etc) and I try to remove as much as I can, but sometimes I forget things and they do an extra check. No big deal. On Sunday, they did it again, plus they did the swab test. As I’m watching the machine, my eyes got as big as saucers when the test came back positive for explosives!! Oh crap..what’s in my bag? I don’t use it for shooting, it’s my work laptop bag, it never goes to the range with me. So after the 5 minute full body pat down, by the way, if you haven’t had this done yet…it’s pretty invasive! I didn’t care, takes A LOT to offend me, and the TSA agent was polite and explained what he was doing the whole time, but thoughts of “geesh, I got less of a hands on experience at my last doctor’s visit” ran through my mind. Anyway, they took just about everything big out of my bag, searched it, found nothing. They asked me what I did for a living, and I told them the truth, a sales rep for large electronics company. For a brief second I thought about saying I’m a competition shooter and reload my own ammo, but the idea of saying the words “gun” “shooter” “ammo” while standing at TSA sent shivers up my spine so I kept my mouth shut. They seemed satisfied, so they sent me on my way. I usually get to the airport early enough so missing the flight wasn’t a concern. So today, I’m getting my stuff together, flight home is tomorrow, and I figure, dump the entire bag, make damn sure there is nothing that would cause a problem if I get the same routine tomorrow. Lo and behold, out drops a 9mm bullet. Just the bullet, not a live round. Son of a bisquit! Thank god they didn’t find that…probably would have had a lot of explaining to do. So my question now is…it was a new bullet, not used, no case, could there have been enough reside from the powder on it from just handling while reloading to set off the detector? I’ve seen another post that people went back and forth saying smokeless powder won’t set it off, others saying it would. Anyone ever get a concrete answer on that? The only other possibility I can think of is that I know I threw a spent case in the bag recently to take to work to show fellow Enos member Glefos something about the reloading of a certain bullet, but again, would the residue set off the explosives detector? Either way I may just try to blame him! ( it’s all his fault anyway right? ) If I get the full body grope tomorrow I’ll let you know. Either way, the plan is to get to the airport VERY early in case I get pulled aside again. Oh yeah, the 9mm bullet is in the garbage at the hotel. I’ve got over 3000 at home, I don’t need the aggravation that that will potentially cause! The same thing has happened to me twice going through Denver. I'm a road warrior, travel over 100,000 miles per year for 24 years now. Same exact thing, swabbed my laptop & you'd have thought they found a loaded 45 on me. Pulled me to the side, had to strip down to the bare essentials, I've lost a little weight so my pants keep trying to drop to my knees, he keeps telling me to keep my hands above my head, should have let them drop & saw everyone's reaction. My briefcase is basically my office & it has everything in there. They completely empty my bag, which takes like 10 minutes. He finds a spare battery I carry for my laptop, he must have never seen one, & he acts like he just found a Claymore Mine The saddest thing about the whole ordeal is every 30 seconds another TSA agent comes over & asks what's the problem - I felt like I was the Freak Show at a Carnival If the Federal Government & the TSA had 1/2 a brain, I would be willing to go through a pre-screen as if I was applying to the FBI. There's all these Elite tags on my bag, pretty easy to see I'm just a road warrior, & not some Terrorist. From what I see every week on the road, there has to be at least double the work-force it should take in doing this job, but what the Hell do I know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Norman Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Going to be interesting. Sounds like there is more attention being paid as of late? I will be flying out in a couple months for a match. will have a crap load of gear, all fully exposed, for years, to gunpowder residue. My belt, holster, gun box, shooting shoes, and clothes, as well as the gun and mags. Ammo, at least most will be shipped ahead. Coming home none of the clothes will have been anywhere near a laundry so there will be additional fresh residue on them. Going to have to remember that bit about asking for a female agent But with my luck she'll be more masculine then half the guys at TSA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Going to be interesting. Sounds like there is more attention being paid as of late? More attention.... they missed the bullet. A sure sign of the competency of the TSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) Going to be interesting. Sounds like there is more attention being paid as of late? More attention.... they missed the bullet. A sure sign of the competency of the TSA They missed a nice 4" benchmade knife in my laptop bag when I flew to NYC a few years ago. It'd gotten crammed down in a crevice in the bottom, but should have shown up in X-rays. On the one hand, I'm glad they missed it and I didn't ruin my trip, but it made me wonder what else is being carried by people who didn't just forget something was in their bag or pocket. Edited April 13, 2011 by bbbean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I had an empty magazine at SeaTac. TSA went ballistic. I had the SeaTac police at the podium wathcing the whole thing. He was keeping a straight face as much as possible. TSA call the SWA manager to the gate to see if they would let me on the plane. The were going to confiscate the magazine, when the SWA person said put into his bag and I will walk his bag to baggage. What a PIA. The SeaTac cop and I were chatting while TSA and SWA were dialoging. He thought they overreacted. I am a tad bit chuncky, broad shoulders, bit of a pot belly, shaved head, the cop as if was an LEO and said if I was he would intercede on my behalf. He almost stepped in anyway. Nice cop. SWA has the most knowledgable staff of any airline I have flown in the last 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) but it made me wonder what else is being carried by people who didn't just forget something was in their bag or pocket. Everything....the pile of potentially dangerous stuff TSA misses is only outsized by the pile of completely useless garbage they throw tizzy fits over Our Honor Guard was returning from a funeral so they had only taken carry on luggage. TSA wanted to confiscate their badges from their dress blues because they could potentially be a weapon. Edited April 13, 2011 by smokshwn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bore Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I was on flight a few weeks back with a kid who carried on a skate board. I don't know but I'm pretty sure I could beat the hell out of a guy or several stewardesses with a skateboard. Can't carry a pen knife but your skateboard is OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitedog Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I work at the post office. Since the anthrax scare, they installed sniffers for certain substances. Not all things go through "the tunnel",but a lot do. This machine will pick up smokeless powder. I have seen them pull packages and call the postal inspectors. I imagine that if the post office can do it,so can t.s.a. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddje Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 TSA - Security Theatrics playing all over the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atbarr Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Don't you all feel safe? Yeah, Right! A.T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 If I ever have the pleasure of being submitted to a pat down I'll be sure to remember the bit about saying I'm gay and want a female to do the search Be my luck I'll get one of the manly looking ones. If I'm with my wife I'll say I'm bi-sexual Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Norman Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 They confiscated grandma's knitting needles... They were afraid she'd knit an Afghan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireant Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Well, I won't even mention the story of the two dummies that tried to fly out of the Tulsa airport with live ammo still in their carry on bags. They were the first two at the airport when it open that morning and damned near missed their flight due to the delay they caused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 When I was still with the Sheriff's Office, a TSA agent wanted to see my wallet badge to make sure it wasn't a Chinese throwing star. It's all feel-good theatrics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 When I was still with the Sheriff's Office, a TSA agent wanted to see my wallet badge to make sure it wasn't a Chinese throwing star. It's all feel-good theatrics. Maybe he thought you were a disciple of Ninja Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b2alphaplease Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) Did you see the video footage of the TSA feeling up a 6 year old girl? What is next? Full body cavity searches? Handcuff everybody naked to the airplane seats? They are getting the population conditioned to more intrusive searches in the future, on the highway, in your home, etc. Where does it end? Edited April 14, 2011 by b2alphaplease Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JediTodd Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) Last year, I flew to New Orleans and back home with a .45 ACP round in my laptop bag. Somehow it had gotten in there at the house and I didn't see it. Neither did TSA. I got a new bag a the conference and was transferring my laptop and stuff when I got home and found it. On one hand, I'm glad I didn't get caught because of all the hassles it would cause. On the other, it was kind of disturbing that I made it through two different airports without a problem. These days I'm just a bit paranoid about searching my bag before stepping foot in the airport. Edited April 14, 2011 by JediTodd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 What is next? Full body cavity searches? Handcuff everybody naked to the airplane seats? On flights to San Francisco, that costs extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skydiver Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 What is next? Full body cavity searches? Handcuff everybody naked to the airplane seats? On flights to San Francisco, that costs extra. That's why I fly Jet Blue and fly into Oakland where you want to arrive armed. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind bat Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) Just for giggles, last time I got singled out for the full body pat (and I had 4 hours before my flight left), I told the TSA agent I was "gay" and preferred a female agent. I was afterall "happy" at the time. Without missing a beat, he went to the supervisor and she came and did the pat down herself. I think she knew I was yanking on the chain, but she did not seem to care. CZ - Dump that laptop bag and get a new one. If your IT guy is anything like me he has a supply cabinet full of new bags. On a side note, I went through a secondary screening one time because something at the airport detected explosives. Turned out it was a big ceramic stein I had bought for a friend. The TSA guy said it was a fairly common occurrence. Edited April 14, 2011 by blind bat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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