I saw them doing this in the Orlando airport a few weeks ago. There was a big sign that instructed people to take out all food items from their bags. Weird.

Was this to just check them or to confiscate them? If it was the former you just happened to be the random person who they checked. They check for unwrapped foods. Maybe there has been an increase in people trying to sneak unwrapped foods through recently. The cabin crew would notice if there were a lot of foods not on the list being consumed.

We just need to let them do their jobs, however odd it seems.

I would have no problem letting TSA inspect snacks. But I think it is OK to ask questions if one sees something really puzzling, as over the years there have been questions about some of their searches especially of the handicapped and minors. I get that any person of any age could do harm, but I also think that it is OK to ask when you see something you don't understand.

Maybe if people were more aware of what can be a problem, they would understand why it's done.

Exactly. I cannot imagine that if anyone courteously asked why things were done in a certain way, that anyone would find that objectionable, and the person who asked would be more aware.

I wish people, ( don't mean you, tennessee), would stop bitching about things being checked. Maybe if people were more aware of what can be a problem, they would understand why it's done. I wonder why they don't search everyone, instead of random searches. I guess it's wise to keep people wondering if they are the one to be searched.

I and my fellow security-line people were asked to do this last year or so--can't quite remember where I was going or returning from since it's early in the morning. ;) I was very surprised as I'd never heard of this and wondered if something had happened. I help people up for a few minutes as I always travel with snacks.

I don't think anyone is complaining about having their things searched, Foggy.

I think overall the TSA people do a pretty good job and I appreciate their efforts. I travel a fair amount and have never had a problem with them. Sometimes they look a bit more, sometimes a bit less, whatever it is doesn't bother me.

It's a wonder to me how they stay calm and good natured with all the clueless and also needlessly angry people they have to deal with.

sjerin--I listen to my friends and others I associate with, complain about TSA and their requests, etc. I don't say anything, but it makes me aggravated when I hear them. Would they rather have a tragedy take place? I want to say,.. chill out, and be glad we have some security measures.

I don’t care that much that he asked me to take it out, but I just find it a little weird. I know anyone can hide a bomb or something, but I feel like I don’t look very suspicious.

my single serve Emerald nuts set the alarms off and they went through my backpack. the Supervisor came over, they are all staring at me...ugh!! they could not figure out the 'why' of it. after all was searched, i got all my things back. no biggie for me since i knew all was well.

That was a weird request. I wonder what else they will think of to investigate. Maybe trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

At the Portland, Oregon airport last June, I set off the alarm because of my metal hip. I went through a separate screening (where they could see the metal) and yet I was required to removed everything from my pockets, including a toothpick in my shirt pocket. It all went into a tray and sent through the big machine. There was an 'oops' thing though. I forgot to take out my back pocket handkerchief! That had to go through the big machine all by itself. And then, they did that thing with my hands.

Oh yeah, I do have TSA pre-check. It should not happened like that. Never again to Portland's airport. I'll drive hours to go through any other screening situation.

Two years ago me and my kids went to Spain, twice in U.S. airports they saw something on the x-ray machine I went through, in my groin. So they did a hands on search. They did offer to do it in private but I really didn't care. I hate flying and anything to keep me and others safe, I'm okay with. Coming home, I brought back food items and at one airport (can't remember which) they made me unpack sugar cubes that looked suspicious. lol.

My ziplock bag of snacks bothered the security in Dallas... and in Romania I got felt up.

The perks of flying. :)

Moni

OT

@oklamoni - Welcome Home! It sounds like you had a great trip.Looking forward to a recap thread.

They ask whether I have food in my bag. I live in Orlando. I didn’t think I had any. Later on the plane I saw I had Warheads. Oops.

I have only asked them once what they were looking for and that's when they swabbed my fingers as I entered the security area (before you put your bags on the conveyer belt). When she told me it was to check for drugs I said, "OH! Okay!" and that was that. I figure as long as I'm not doing anything illegal, they can check anything they want.

Ya know....I've never taken snacks on a plane. We often eat in the airport before we board a plane. Now.....I did pack some food in my luggage for gifts when I returned. lol