Posted: 11/2/2006 6:04:18 PM EDT
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I'm flying out to Dallas in a few days and was wondering if I would get any grief for my badge in my wallet. I know it sounds silly but if you can't carry all the other stuff on a flight it may not be OK to have it since it's large, metal and has a long sharp pin on the back. Anyone had any problems with it lately? Or has anyone NOT had any problems lately? This is the first time I've flown since the late 1980's, so I am totally lost with the new system. I don't want to have to buy a new one when I get back.  Thanks, GR |
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Throw it into the clear plastic baggy with the rest of the stuff in your pockets before you walk through the metal detector. You should have no problem. and if it's been that long since you last flew, wear a pair of shoes you can slip on and off real quick so they can x-ray them too. |
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When I first became an EMT I was given a personalized badge as a gift. Flying home from ATL to LGA the TSA screener stopped me and gave me some grief about the long pin on the back. My response was something like ‘you’re kidding right?’ He kind of stared at me for a second and then just threw it back into my bag and I was on my way. The only other timed I’ve flown with it was from Islip to ATL. Islip is a small airport and the TSA guys are older and take their jobs more seriously and are much more professional. When it went through x-ray the machine went crazy and the screener took me out of line and asked to search my stuff. I had taken it out of my bag ahead of time and laid it on the tray next to my keys/watch. Before he opened my bag I pointed to my wallet and said that this was probably the problem. After he opened it he kind of yelled over to his buddy working the x-ray that 'it was just the kids badge' which I'm sure sounded kinda weird to everyone else standing around me. After that he kinda just gave me a nod of approval and wished me a good day. If you’re an LEO, I really don’t think that you would have any kind of problem, like I said mine was a gift and is really just symbolic and they didn’t seem to care all that much. If your badge is the screw or clip style then I think you’re good to go. If it is the type with the big safety pin, I would definitely take it out ahead of time and be prepared to deal with some crap about it from TSA, especially if you’re flying out of Hartsfield where it seems like the only job requirement is having dropped out of high school. |
| I used to work for TSA a couple years ago. Badges ARE allowed. They can be seen plain as day in the X-Ray if they are in your wallet and you put that in a tray with your change. the only ones I have seen some screeners give a send look at are the star badges. To some of them, they look like Chinese throwing stars. personally, I don't like leaving my wallet or badge unattended so I just opt to get secondary screening. It keeps them busy and prevents someone from walking off with my $$ and creds. |
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I have a related question. I don't fly often, and I've never checked a firearm before. I read the firearms policy of the airline I'm using, but I still have a couple questions. When you check a firearm, are there any tags/stickers on the case indicating it is a firearm? I'm hoping not, that seems about as smart as putting a 'steal me' sign on the case. If you have a hard case, are there any special rules for the type of lock required? Does TSA have to have a key/combo in case they need to unlock it? I'd prefer not, but will they cut off your lock to inspect the cargo, or do you have to be present if they decide to inspect your case? |
That is only part of the story. You need a valid reason as well, prisoner escort, going straight into a surveillance role, something along those lines. Not just "because". |