On Thu, May 26, 2011 at 3:33 AM, Joe Scarpelli <[email protected]> wrote:
> I once had a TSA employee ask me if I remembered my valve oil. > > Joe Asking if you remembered your valve oil may not be as innocent a question as it seems. The agent could be checking to see if you have liquids in your carry-on (there is the 3 oz. limit) but also could be checking specifically for flammable liquids... many valve oils include petroleum distillates. I think they are trained to ask as a way of getting info in a flyer-friendly way. Once my wife forgot to take off her watch before going through the metal detector... in spite of large posted signs (remove coats, watches, hats, shoes, etc. - take laptops out of their case - remove liquids) and in spite of agents at the beginning of the security process reiterating all that the signs said. As she approached the metal detector the agent there, who was wearing his own large, very conspicuous watch, asked, "Excuse me, do you know what time it is?" He didn't need to ask her the time; he wanted to see if she realized she was still wearing her watch! He wasn't confrontational but he got his job done. It's not only about what they ask, it's also about why they ask it. ---Steve Tarter--- Tokyo, Japan _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
