Excerpt
Quick Tips for Checked Baggage
Don't Overpack Your Bags
Does this sound familiar? The airline informs you that your checked baggage is too heavy, and they give you the option to repack some items into your carry-on baggage.
You agree that's a good idea to avoid the overage charges. You take out your makeup case and a couple of other small bags and place them in your carry-on baggage. Your makeup case has a pair of long sharp scissors or a Swiss army knife in it, but your main focus is on the extra cost you are trying to avoid.
You get to the checkpoint, and the x-ray operator calls for a bag check. The screener discovers the scissors or knife. You forgot they were in the bag because you were in a hurry when you were repacking. Now, you have to go back to the airline and check in one of your carry-on bags because
you don't want to surrender your expensive knife or scissors. Once you leave the secured area, you have to repeat the screening process over again.
I bet this situation rings a bell with some of you. What a pain to have to go back to the airlines and repeat the screening process. Remember to ask the screener if you can have an "exit card" that will expedite you through the
process. This pass allows you to return to the airlines ticket counter, bypass the line there, and take care of unfinished business. Then you can return to checkpoint, bypass the line there, and take your place back at the point you left.
PS
Embarrassing moments happen all the time. One day a male screener was conducting a search on a bag that was checked in with the airlines. This bag was tagged "Heavy," which means it was overweight and probably weighed over 70 pounds. He opened the overstuffed bag, and two phallic imitators flew out and rolled across the floor. Then whips, chains, and masks spilled out. The passenger was standing to the side watching with his mouth wide open. The passenger turned and quickly walked away in embarrassment. The screener's face turned shades of red as he quickly started to gather everything and place it on his table. The wideeyed passenger said nothing to the screener to draw attention to himself. I am sure he didn't realize this would cause such a memorable embarrassing moment for himself and the screener.
I can safely say there isn't one screener who enjoys handling other people's personal toys. Place your personal items in sealed, clear zip-top bags to keep them sterile and protected, then place that bag in a large suitcase. This should eliminate an embarrassing situation for you and others.
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