Comments on: Plans within plans, boring variety

By: Zh.

Zh. — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 15:59:54 +0000

I have never heard any horror stories about going through security in an underwire bra. I guess that I don’t spend enough time on the internets. As for the bag, go with whichever one is easier to schlup around. Not that I imagine you’ll have much schlupping to do.

By: ianqui

ianqui — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:05:18 +0000

I just came back from Europe, which entail various metal detectors, and I never got dinged for my underwire bra. I even left my watch on, and in Europe didn’t even bother with my shoes. So I wouldn’t worry about that.

I regularly bring blunt kiddie scissors (since they happen to be in my toiletry bag) and I’ve never had them confiscated. So I doubt the pencil sharpener would be.

Carry on-esque bag is better. Those duffels with wheels are often oddly shaped and tip over a lot.

By: terminaldegree

terminaldegree — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:28:38 +0000

I just got back from Europe. Sure enough, my underwire set off the metal detector. And underwire, for me, is like my credit cards: I don’t leave home without it.

So yes, I set off the detector, and I had to get “wanded.” There was a very moderate “patdown” as well, but it wasn’t offensive. (And I’m easily upset by this kind of thing.)

I was more upset a few months ago when a TSA official asked me to remove my SHIRT. (I was wearing a tanktop underneath a plain cotton button-down men’s style shirt.) I stared at him and asked, “are you going to ask all of the men in this line to remove their shirts, too?” He backed down and told me I could leave it on. Freaking pervert.

By: terminaldegree

terminaldegree — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:31:20 +0000

Oh, one more thing. My eyeliner pencil sharpener was in my makeup bag in my carryon, and no one stopped me.

By: shrinkykitten

shrinkykitten — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 19:50:35 +0000

I was actually strip searched because of my underwire. I no longer wear them when flying. I ended up simply taking the underwire out of an old bra, and that is now my travel bra. Also make sure you don’t have safety pins holding anything together, as I am wont to do given that I am a lazy clothing repairer :)

How sensitive the sensor is depends entirely on the airport. Surprisingly, the DC airport is among the least sensitive I have visited.

By: profgrrrrl

profgrrrrl — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 22:17:02 +0000

I fly all the time (as you know), and have done Europe and Asia in the last year, and I ALWAYS wear an underwire. I’ve never been searched/stopped because of it.

Do different manufacturers use different materials for the wires? Mine are almost all from VS.

By: brina

brina — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 02:35:10 +0000

I haven’t flown in so long, I have no idea what the underwire might cause. I would probably go with (useless) wire-free just to avoid any hassel. I’d also vote for the non-duffel bag. At any rate, I’d like to get on the postcard list :)

By: shrinkykitten

shrinkykitten — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 02:51:01 +0000

I don’t know if the wires are different, but I think what the sensors measure is the *amount* of metal. Thus, some may have thicker underwires than others. In the spirit of full disclosure, the strip search was 1 month post 9.11, and I’ve not worn an underwire since (it was very traumatic for me). However, I do know that the airport where I was strip searched is still very secure and the sensors are set to be very sensitive. Frankly, I just prefer to take no chances and take my shoes off, take all jewelry off, anything. At this point, even a “pat down” is too stressful for me (I honestly do think I have a minor case of PTSD from the strip search).

By: profgrrrrl

profgrrrrl — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 03:47:45 +0000

Oh, yes, postcard. I missed that the first time. Will e you with address tomorrow (crashing now)

By: Moebius Stripper

Moebius Stripper — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:57:54 +0000

I wouldn’t chance the pencil sharpener. Once (have I told you this story before? I know I’ve told it somewhere before) I had a metal fork confiscated at security. Two hours later, on the plane, I was served breakfast, which came with a metal fork - which I, of course, confiscated. It’s still in my cutlery drawer.

So, the terrorists haven’t all won: woe be unto those who’d planned that morning to 1) kill the passengers and crew 2) with a fork 3) before breakfast.

By: terminaldegree

terminaldegree — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 07:21:06 +0000

Shrinkykitten — that’s AWFUL. I can see why you’d be so careful now. Ugh!

By: wolfa

wolfa — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 13:14:34 +0000

Shrinkykitten, that is terrible. I can see why you’d be avoiding it now.

The reason I ask about underwires is that I have heard stories from *people it happened to* (though never as bad as that!). I’m in fact only worried about the US aiports I will go through (two which I do not regularly go through).

MS, I have heard that story before, though it may have been from you saying it elsewhere. It’s remarkably predictable, as airplane security goes.

By: profgrrrrl

profgrrrrl — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 01:25:57 +0000

Today I got “wanded” at the airport (because I didn’t want to take of my sneakers, which did not make the security thing beep, by the way). it did not go off on the underwires, but did for the clasp in back and the two strap thingies.

By: Adjunct Kait

Adjunct Kait — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 14:36:34 +0000

I bought a sports bra for my last plane trip to Baltimore, but I didn’t have time to wash it for the trip back, so I wore a regular underwire home. I didn’t get dinged either time. Last time I was in Baltimore, though, the clasp and the straps did set it off.
Be careful if you wear shoes with really thick soles. They’ll want to inspect those. But otherwise, unless you are going somewhere that doesn’t have sharp objects, I would suggest just buying a cheap razor/scissors/pencil sharpener when you get there.
Good luck!