Today I had the pleasure of making a trip to Florida to see my 7 year old son Dominic. My itinerary consisted of a 9:15 AM flight out of ISP Macarthur Airport in Islip Long Island with a 3 hour layover in Baltimore Maryland. From BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport I would continue on to JAX Jacksonville Florida where I would pick up a rental and drive to my boy to spend a few days. I arrived at Macarthur at about 8:45 AM with little time to spare between checking in for a boarding pass and going through security. My luggage contained a few necessities such as a couple of days clothing, toiletries, my laptop computer, a portable DVD player, and a video arcade system for my son. Fortunately I was able to fit all these things into a moderate size carry on, so I was able to avoid checking any luggage. The lines were short and TSA security seemed to be doing a good job of scanning everyone through their digital equipment systems. They were as expected, asking everyone to please remove there shoes while passing through the metal detectors. After passing through the systems without incident, I was free to go on my way to board my Southwest Airline to my destination. Considering I had so much stuff with me and everything had been removed and placed in plastic bins, it took me a bit more time to gather my things on the other end where you stack your empty bins. By chance, a passing by TSA authority had noticed that the arcade system I was placing back into my bag displayed a silver toy gun on the front of the box in the illustration. He politely stopped and asked me if the toy gun was in the box? I replied, “I wasn't even aware that the game contained a toy gun”, but low and behold, it did! Right there on the front of the box was a picture of a gun with a wire attached to play shooting games. I didn't even realize that along with the joysticks was a toy gun. The TSA brought the package back to the screening area to ask the person viewing the screen how he missed it. The worker responded but I could not make out what was said. Nevertheless, they opened the box, removed the gun and explained that I could not board the plain with the toy gun. I responded by telling them I completely understood and apologized for not realizing it even contained one. On to Baltimore I go. It was a quick flight. I arrived in Baltimore in about one hour and ten minuets where I was prepared to get comfortable for my 3 hour layover. There was a good restaurant on the other side of security where I had eaten before. The only downfall was that once you go that far outside the gates, you are required to pass through the security check point again. I had plenty of time to waste so I did it anyway. After a comfortable breakfast of steak and eggs with a cup of coffee, I continued my way back towards the gates ready to pass through security again. Yet again the same procedure. Off with the shoes and everything out in the plastic bins again. This time I was stopped for an orange pocket knife that was attached to my keychain. It wasn't a large pocket knife, but I guess it had about a 3 inch blade. This time the inappropriate item was spotted before my things even reached the digital detection units. The TSA authority explained that they would need to confiscate my pocket knife as it was not permitted on the flight. I agreed, and didn't give them a problem about it. Having that pocket knife on my keychain for about a year, I didn't even realize I had it. So, they took it in Baltimore and bye bye pocket knife. No biggie, it was only a three dollar pocket knife. Well, working our way towards the moral of the story, I was able to pass through the set of electronic security measures and board a plane in ISP Islip Macarthur Airport in the New York Metropolitan area with a six by six inch silver toy gun, and a three inch unfolding pocket knife. As far as I'm concerned, I'm really not too sure how I should feel about that. The TSA seemed to be doing a very good job, but the bottom line was the two items slipped through. Do with this information what you wish, but always be aware of you surroundings when flying, you may just spot somthing someone else didn't. By JOHN COLASCIONE read archived articles | submit an article for review
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