Has anybody ridden on an airplane since the 9-11 attacks? If so what is it like going through the security checkpoints? I'm kind of curious cause I'm gonna fly to Vancouver BC sometime next year and I'll pretty excited about it, also would I have to go through a pat down search whether if I set off the metal detector or not?
If they do perform the pat down searches would they touch you in your private areas (buttocks and the groin)? I get kind of sensitive when people touch me in those areas and if they do would they use the palm of their hands when they're touching me in my private areas.
2006-06-24 19:29:24 · 5 answers · asked by Fell In Love 7 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Most passengers make it through security with just a walk through the x-ray or sniffer machines. If you're the lucky passenger chosen at random for a more intense inspection, or if the results of your x-raying are suspicious, you'll be asked to take everything out of your bags, remove exterior clothing (sweater, jacket) and get "wanded" which is where they pass a metal-detecting wand over your body. They keep the wand about 2 inches from your body, and don't usually touch you. If the results are still questionable, they may ask you to step into a private room and undress to your underwear, then put on a robe like a hospital gown and get wanded again but that's really, really rare and only if the other inspections give suspicious results. And if for some reason you do require further screening, the pat-down searches are done using the back of the hand against your body, not the palm.
It's really unlikely that you'll get that thorough of an inspection if you dress and pack with common sense. Don' try to take any metal on your body; for the ladies, even an underwire bra can set the x-ray alarm off if it's set too sensitive, so choose clothing that does not have metal decorations, supports, inserts, etc. Don't take any medications on your body-- put them in the carry-on bags-- and if for some reason you come into contact with explosives, fuels or chemicals on a regular basis, make sure the clothes you wear haven't been exposed since your last laundry day. People who work in chemical plants and certain kinds of factories do set the sniffer alarms off more frequently than those who work in other settings. If you have any metal in your body (surgical pins, surgical staples, etc) bring a doctor's note with you.
2006-06-25 08:05:58 · answer #1 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's pretty similar to before 9-11 except that it takes a little longer. They sometimes make you take off your shoes. Make sure you don't have anything like scissors or a jacknife in your carry on luggage.
They do have the authority to pat you down, but they typically use an electric "wand" to find metal on you when you set off the detector.
Sometimes they'll pull people out of the line randomly and run a cloth over your shirt and analyse it for trace explosives.
You've got nothing to worry about.
2006-06-25 02:35:22 · answer #2 · answered by Dave R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not that bad. Just make sure you're in the airport with plenty of time. Wear comfortable clothes (don't wear a belt if you don't have to) and slip off shoes (they'll ask you to take off your shoes).
Do not carry any pocket knives. Take only the essentials on your person and check everything else.
They generally don't pat you down unless you really set off the metal detector.
2006-06-25 02:34:20 · answer #3 · answered by John H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They make you emty out your pockets and put all of your stuff in bins through some sort of an x-ray machine, and they do the same for all of your luggage. they didnt pat me down when i was at the air port. all you do is go through a metal detector. but other then that everything went smoothly and i think its more safer then ever to fly.
2006-06-25 02:34:39 · answer #4 · answered by hickz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get there an hour before your flight is scheduled to take-off.
2006-06-25 02:35:15 · answer #5 · answered by lilise13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋