Recent air travel

Some of you know this, but I am an active duty Marine Corps Officer. I recently moved to northern virgina for a billet that involves travel. I have over 10000 miles in ther next quarter alone. I was keenly aware of the new security measure in place and since most of my trips are short, I plan on using just a carry on bag. This week was my first trip and of course, it is right after the latest terrorist drama.

Bottom line up front: its not as bad as it would appear. I can get long winded, so I wanted to tell the moral of the story to you now. I say again, it is not that bad.

I travelled this week from DCA to OKC. I dutifully arrived 2 hours early for my flight and I was checked in and through security within 15 minutes. So I had almost two hours to kill. There was no real increased scrutiny of my bags, the only difference was that I had to take off my shoes (sandals actually).

I did carefully pack, so as not to violate any of the new security measures. All I had was my SpecOps day pack with my uniform and a change of clothes, blackberry, cell phone, mp3 player and a book.

On my return trip, I had to pack out a few small tools I had bought at one of my favorite stores, Atwoods. No real issues, save one. On my key chain I have a primer from an M198 155mm howitzer. It is all brass and is about the size of a 7.62 mm cartridge. Its a popular thing for us Arty Marines to have. Anyway, that did make the screener a little worried, so they emptied my pack and finally found it. They would not tell me what they were looking for at first, or I would have helped them out. Anyway, the supervisor said it was fine. This isn't an issue, save the fact that I have had that thing for about 6 years! I have flown around the world (literally) since 9/11 and no one has stopped me for it. So I say good job to them for asking me about it!

Why do I even post this? Because I have been reading posts on this and other sites about how bad travel is getting. I flew out of DCA, one of the most difficult airports to fly out of (IMO, besides kansas city) and it was no different than any other trip I have taken. I am flying “naked” (meaning no knife, light, multi-tool, etc) and I have to buy some shaving cream and toothpaste (which will cost me two dollars). Is this an inconvience? Yes, but it is bareable.

I have read about shipping bags, etc, but that is sometimes not an option, especially if you have multiple stops on a trip. We already have to check bags due to our affinity for sharps, so why is having to pack hygene gear any different?

Although I am one of the first to yell at the TV about all the travel restrictions out there, I must say that overall, its not as doom and gloom as one would see on TV. Just like Polak's post, its not so bad.

Garrett

Thanks for the report.

I'm a little fuzzy about one thing. Did you just not take a flashlight, or are they not allowed?

(A little flashlight is about the only piece of gear I carry around that I use a lot. And not just in case the light's go out. It's amazing how many dark and poorly lit places you can find even in a brightly lit building. )

thanks for update garret. I feel relieved now. phew ! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry it took so long for me to respond. I don't get on this page to post much anymore. I did find my Surefire 6P in my bag as I unpacked at home. I have that in my bag as an EDC item and I forgot to take it out. Not a problem carrying it with me on the plane.

Garrett

Are they doing the double searches, or just talking about it? I heard a lot about this a week ago, but I haven't seen any mention of it since.

On my trip last week, I did see one double search, once at security and once at the gate. I wasn't looking for it, so there may have been more. The only reason i noticed was that the guy was a couple people in front of me.

yeah,

thye got me twice is DCA, but that was it. They are doing random searches at the gate. I was ahppy to have it only happen once. I used to get it all the time before!

I am travelling again next week. Four airports or so over a week. I will let you know how it goes.

Garrett

Thanks for the updates! Looks like I'll have a couple of flights ahead of me and it's nice to know I can at least bring a flashlight on board.

I really wish we'd do a little more behind the scenes at airports and with other transportation, but that's a different topic...

Wanted to take this chance to thank you for your service to us, too. It's because of the great folks like you that I can put my head down on my pillow and sleep at night.

Best of luck in your new location and hope you're enjoying VA! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am surprised. I would expect them to pass a serving Officer, or Marine through without comment the moment they saw your Mil-I.D.

"thanks for update garret. I feel relieved now. phew !"

Oh really? So picard120, were you planning on visiting the USA soon, or are you going to continue to get your opinions of us from CNN?

It isn't CNN. Or the CBC- I watch thier news.

Does Canada have something like the Daily Show? That might explain it.

Uhm... That's not much harder to forge than a drivers liscence. Holograms and magnetic strips will still catch it, but for a fast glance you can fake the holos, and unless it's swiped, the mag strip doesn't need to have anything on it.

I also travel alot, with many stops a week. I have started carrying baking soda with a little salt for toothpaste, and I just use the soap in the room for shaving. Not the best solution, but it works.

The fun will start when some Sec Guard with delusions of grandure upsets the wrong Marine.....

Royal Canadian Air Farce

Alex

Whew! You had me worried there for a minute.

These people can't/don't think on their own. They have a manual that they follow. If you look like this or are carrying that, you get the full treatment.

One flight I was on had a bunch of .mil guys. One of them had the largest carry-on of all the passengers. He got pulled out of line for secondary search.

I used to think the same thing about showing a military ID. I was on orders, so I handed the TSA guy my orders, ID and ticket, and he proceeded through my bag. Prior to the London drama, if you were on orders, you were not searched at the gate. Now the rule is (apparently) that you have to be in uniform and on orders to not be searched, and that presents a myriad of other issues, namely comfort while traveling. So I just grin and bear it for now, until they relax these latest restrictions again.

Garrett