Prior to flying here, Brother has to surrender a screwdriver from work that he forgot to remove from his carryon. No biggie.
When dropping him at the airport to go back, apparently we took five second longer to say goodbye at the sidewalk than the local security guy likes (no vehicles were waiting or being obstructed by us) & he told us we had to move on. Give some putzes a badge… sigh
The member of the party who had the gun had it in a bag he usually uses to travel and usually travels by car, so it wasn’t deliberate.
Muckety-mucks were called, heads were scratched, the gun was stored, and we flew off without it.
As you say, Duckster, being calm and polite helps. Not making fun of the agent who discovered the gun case with a puzzled expression, opened it, then looked as if the contents of his bowels and all his blood were running down into his shoes, helps.
Having thirty years in law enforcement, a badge on hand, and someone to vouch for you and a reputation in the community, helps.
Well it was the cops who were polite and apologetic for detaining us. It also helped that I didn’t raise a ruckus as so many other travellers apparently do.
Then again, as they were examining the mini-flashlight I cautioned them not to look at it if they turned it on because it has three blue super-bright LEDs. Of course, one of them didn’t listen and was blinded by the light (while his companions laughed at his expense).
I borded a ship in India without my MoHA clearance. No one else on the boards will have a clue as what this means.
I thought bad things about President Bush.
I know, I know, it isn’t illegal.
Yet.
I went to NYC three months after 9/11/01, while 6 months pregnant. I was given an extensive pat down search/belly rub, after which the female screener who had given me the professional massage asked me if I was wearing a belt. I looked her straight in the eye and aksed “Did you findi a belt?!?” Idiot.
Before 9/11, my brother ran his regular duffle through security out of habit, then realized his rather large knife was in it (special operations soldier), as well as a box of extremely illegal Cuban cigars. Neither were noticed.