Airport Security

Factual Questions
1

This is a question my hubby asked me to post to see if anyone had any info.

He is flying to a large poker tournament next week and will be carrying about $2000 in cash on his person. With the new airport security measures, he is concerned about being questioned as to ulterior motives by airport personnel. He doesn’t want to carry the money in a noticeable place but for obvious reasons cannot place it in his luggage.

Any advice and or personal experience with anything like this? Will he be detained for questioning or anything for that amount of money? It isn’t very much but it will be in cash. Just as a reference point, he does not look to be of Middle Eastern decent (which makes sense because he isn’t) but he does tend to have a somewhat burly, almost thug-like appearance–big guy, earring, shaved head, etc.

It may seem silly but he is very concerned about this and any help would be appreciated.

2

It’d be best if he didn’t carry that money with him. The authorities have precedent for confiscating “large” amounts of cash, and it’d cost a hell of a lot more than $2000 to get it back.

If he is going to carry it, though, I’d have a receipt from the bank for the bills (to prove where he got it from), and a reservation printout from his destination (to demonstrate the intended use of the money). Not to be a cynic, but there is way too much documentation of average citizens getting their jack swiped by the cops (on a local, state, federal level) to even take a chance.

Just my opinion.

3

Exactly what he is afraid of.

Thanks.

4

Why doesn’t he:

Put it in the bank and withdraw it when he gets there
Write a money order to himself
Buy American Express Traveler’s Checks
Wire it to himself via Western Union

Surely the $25 fees associated with such options are superior to losing it all! Of course, he’ll probably lose it all in the tournament anyways. :wink:

5

Good ideas–except the bank thing. There aren’t any branches of our bank where he’s going and the maximum ATM withdrawal is $450 per day.

And actually, he’s a professional player–he won’t lose it all. Hopefully, he’ll come back with more than he took but usually he pretty much breaks even.

6

What reasoning do they use for confiscating money??

7

He might try getting a cashier’s check made out to himself for the amount he wants to take, or traveler’s checks in that amount. It’s just a WAG, but I suspect that $2K isn’t quite enough to trigger a confiscation. After all, he’s going on vacation. To Las Vegas. He might get a raised eyebrow or two, but probably not confiscation for this kind of bankroll. But if he’s truly worried, try the cashier’s/traveller’s check route. FWIW.

8

Interesting question…why did it get me so angry?

First of all…if he carries the money in hundreds, it’s only 20 bills…stick it in a pocket in his pants and be done with it.

If it’s in twenties, that’s 100 bills…a little more unwieldy. Still, a few rubber bands and stick it into his carry on bag, and it should be no problem.

The thing that I’m angry about is that people are worried about carrying $2000 through an airport. It’s his money, right? What reasonable suspicion would anyone have of it not being his money? Who cares? You only have to declare more than $10,000 in cash when entering the US…carrying $2000 on your person should never give you a second thought.

I guess I’m just frustrated that a supposedly free country has gotten to the point where average citizens are worried about doing something perfectly legal.

evilbeth, I know he doesn’t want to lose the money, but dammit, it’s not illegal to carry it!

9

I’d call the airline he is going to use and discuss the situation. I doubt there would be a problem. 2k doesn’t sound like a lot to me. I’d be more concerned about theft.

10

First, how would they even know he had that much cash? They don’t really search you, they just scan for metal. And $2000 is NOT a lot of money these days. My guess is he would have a lot less cash on him than half the people on the plane.

11

Ah, the wonderful War On Drugs. People that carry large amounts of cash, for whatever reason, are automatically treated like criminals.

12

Ah, but if you’re pulled aside for the secondary inspection, they will search you thoroughly. I’m speaking from experience.

During a recent flight from Seattle to Toronto, I was pulled aside at the gate for the secondary inspection. In addition to me being scanned all over with the wand, everything–and I mean everything–from my pockets was opened, looked at, turned on to see if it worked (well, if it could be–certainly, my cell phone was turned on and my lighter lit).

In addition–and I can see where evilbeth’s concern comes from–the contents of my wallet were gone over. Credit cards, membership cards, and the other assorted dreck that I carry in my wallet were removed and examined. The cash wasn’t, but the guard did flip through all the currency to make sure there was nothing between the bills.

In fairness, I have to say that the guards, while doing everything by the book, were friendly during the whole procedure. But it was a little more invasive than I expected, and while I was initially worried about losing something during the wallet shuffle, everything, including all cash, was there afterwards. Note, however, that I did not have $2000 in cash.

Evilbeth, my overall impression was that they were only interested in anything that could be used to make a weapon. The guards were ready to see anything pass over their table–coins, keys, photos, magazines, stuffed toys, and wallets containing varying amounts of cash. What they did not want to see were blades or other sharp things. If they did not find any sharp objects, my impression was that, no matter the amount of cash, the person was to be allowed on their flight. I was.

13

*If they did not find any sharp objects, my impression was that, no matter the amount of cash, the person was to be allowed on their flight. *

That is correct, and they can’t just confiscate the cash for no reason.

Evilbeth, I don’t think your friend has anything to worry about.
RR

14

Under this line of thought many women should worry about having their wedding rings and other jewelry confiscated. I mean if the government is going to “steal” your $2000, why not go for the big bucks. I agree that carrying $2000 in cash is dumb, but not because it will be taken away during a security check.

If your husband is a professional gambler, why isn’t he a more seasoned traveler?

15

Well, they do see big cash as suspicious. I read of a nurseryman who was going to buy stock for his business being held and the money taken (source newspaper report). They probably need more than one indicator, but I’ve heard (source gossip) that most money has some traces of cocaine on it these days. Indicators may possibly include ethnic considerations or attitude of person.

The trouble with the searches is it makes the citizen vulnerable to errors, abuse, or overzealousness. I believe the Founders were aware of such problems when they limited searches and seizures. Remember they had been governed by a remote authority that was not answerable.

16

Something I forgot to mention in my original reply, evilbeth, is that the secondary inspection was done right beside the gate. I had full view of what the guards were doing with my things, as did the airline personnel at the gate, and the passengers lining up to board the aircraft. And believe me, it was watched by all. A little embarrassing for me, but obviously entertaining for the other passengers, if you want the truth.

But if the guards had tried to pocket any item, including cash, then I or somebody else would have noticed it and said something.

Unless, of course, they were skilled at sleight-of-hand. And they didn’t seem to be.

17

Just anecdotally, this past November I flew from Norfolk to Austin to Norfolk with $1700+ cash in my wallet (mostly $100s) and didn’t experience any trouble of any kind–even at the uber-secure Norfolk airport.

18

The question seems to be whether he might be detained for questioning, or the money actually confiscated by authority. Both are possible these days. Does anyone know the factors that evilbeth and husband have to weigh? ie the amount of money, the personal appearance of said husband, etc.

Cash allows leeway to the normal citizen, but some authority sees this as enabling dope dealing, terrorism, etc; some of us get uncomfortable when we see apparent P.R. on dope dealing or terrorism. The years of the drug wars have moved the Constitutional limits, and now the war on terrorism has moved them further. We didn’t use to have to worry about this.

19

He has travelled with large (and larger) amounts of cash before–but prior to the new, more stringent airport security rules. Also, he isn’t going to Vegas so the assumption that anyone boarding his flight would be gambling and therefore have cash, is not a given.

His appearance isn’t frightening but it also doesn’t exactly scream, “businessman”, either.

I don’t imagine there will be any problems but he just wanted to cover all his bases just in case. I think he may be going with the traveler’s checks option.

20

Honestly, go with the traveler’s checks. After all, they are replaceable if stolen, and I don’t trust anyone in a petty position on power not to do something illegal. Then, if there is such a problem, call the TSA and have them get on the screeners’ and airport’s ass.