Have you ever slipped through a security check with something you weren't supposed to have?

Question

I had jury duty and put my purse through the x-ray machine at the courthouse. On the way home I needed a scissors from my Swiss Army Knife, and it was still in my purse.

My husband got on an airplane after the security check, with a fire cracker in his pocket. It was the 4th of July week.

Answer 1

My story is the opposite. I arrived at Reagan International Airpost last January after bing in DC almost 6 weeks working with American Red Cross. My drivers license had expired, even though I have plenty of other picture ID's including American Red Cross. I had my bag searched, I had denture adhesive, they took that away from me, then I had air blown at me to detect chemicals for bomb making, the off with the shoes, then wanded looking for ? They took my disposable lighter, I was detained by security and almost didn't make it back home. I was there 3 hours! I almost missed my flight home, they paged me over the intercom since I had already checked in and still had not arrived at the concourse!.

Answer 2

I too was on jury duty once. We were in the room deliberating when I pulled out my apple and a knife to cut it up with. Everyone looked at me and asked how I got it passed security. I didn't even realize we weren't suppose to have it, since my purse went through the x-ray machine.

Then I got on the plane with a pair of scissors and totally forgot I wasn't suppose to bring it. But it made it to and from my destination. Lucky I didn't realize it till I got back. I would have left it behind.
(**)

Answer 3

Before 9/11 - for 30 years, I had carried a pocket knife in my purse. An old Barlow that my grandfather gave me when I was about 10 - he had carried it for years.

I kept it in my purse because I used it a lot. Good for cutting up cheese at a impromtu picnic in Paris, or plums in Italy...like that. As my mother always said, you never know when you are going to find a nice tomato!!

About a year after 9/11, I was boarding a flight in San Francisco, heading home and the xray picked it up. I had actually forgotten it was there. It was as much a part of my purse as my wallet. Anyway, the guy said I had to either turn it over to security or mail it home.

Fortunately, there was a FedEx nearby and I was able to send it to myself.

Now, I tuck it in the outer zipper of my checked bag...and remove it as soon as I arrive at my destination.

When the cigarette lighter ban was in effect, I got dam tired of traveling without one, so I just dropped a Baby Bic in there and they never found it. I think it's OK now, though.

No surprise there considering that when security is tested by Homeland folks, they get through with stuff to make bombs.

Who's kidding who here?

Answer 4

I got on a plane in Costa Rica with nail scissors in my carry on bag that I had forgotten were there. Made it through customs the entire trip back home, even through a few Atlanta custom gates and on my way to leave the airport, last gate, a lady spotted them. I said then , so much for Homeland Security.

I have also had my luggage xrayed leaving Jamaica because I was carrying a wooden statue.

Answer 5

I along with my family were going to Karachi from Mumbai to attend a marriage . The females had all the jewellery on them the takig away from the country was prohibited. I somehow hoodwinked the Customs officer and passed through the gate. As we were walking on the turmac discussing among ourselves I heard called from my back. the customs officer was coming towards us wth a bag in his hand which we had left behind. He handed over the bag to us and while we were thanking him he casually told us that he had seen the ornaments on the ladies but did not object since w e were going for a family event. He,however, told us that when we came back these would be seized and confiscated as their import was also banned.I was nonplussed. But he suggested a way out but it was not bribes. He offered us to take out the ornaments and hand these over with the person who had come to see us off and who was still waiting at the gate. It was so good of him. we complied with his suggestion.While all our boasts of having hoodwinked him had evaporated we were glad for the spirit in which he had overlooked our transgression and moreover helped us to nullify it and thus save us from a loss.

He was a Hindu officer and the matter pertains to 1964 at Santacruz Airport,Mumbai.

Answer 6

My disposable cigarette lighter went all the way to Germany with me and home again...that was two years ago. Now that they've lifted the ban on that type of lighter (only butane is still prohibited), the last time I flew they took the extra ones that were in my checked-in bag. Go figure!

Edit: Gladys's answer cracked me up...lol!

Answer 7

Once I was going to Nashville from Calif in July 2002 and had a layover in Chicago. I went thru security in Burbank and then again in Chicago. Both times, my carry-on backpack was xrayed. They made me take off my shoes twice. When I got to Nashville as I was unpacking my backpack, I found 2 screwdrivers that I had forgotten in the bottom of it.

Nice security.

Answer 8

I have 'gotten by' with a cigarette lighter, but I did not do it purposely.

I use to work for the airlines and I actually try very hard to stay within the guidelines.

I don't even use the plastic bag thing, it can all go in my check on, I don't need the hassle.

Answer 9

No but I once came through customs wearing an expensive ring that I had bought in Italy and I should have declared it and paid duty. Shame on me.

I hope the statute of limitations has run out.

Answer 10

No, nothing that overt. But I did slip through many security lines in the early 80's at concerts with some herbical medications......did I spell that right?