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silvasava

Always carried a lovely Swiss Army knife in the bottom of my handbag that had all sorts of gadgets on it ( promotional gift to DH) Had to travel to France for work and it was confiscated by security as I'd forgotten it was there I did ask if I could leave it at the Airline desk to collect on my return but no so lost an expensive piece of kit. Would love to know what happened to it. Got a Leatherman now but loved my SWA.

esmy

Haven't been here for ages (slim pickings locally other than for fancy dress!) but re screwdrivers:

Many years ago our very cheap flight to Italy was delayed for a 'technical fault' - after a wait of a couple of hours we were allowed to embark. Tiny plane with just a curtain between the cockpit and cabin. The pilot apologised to the few passengers, then put on his headset which promptly fell apart. He heaved a sigh then asked if anyone had a screwdriver. One was duly produced by a passenger, headset repaired and we took off.

In a previous workplace on the first floor, we had old fashioned sash windows. In Summer the room was extremely hot. Without warning a chap arrived and screwed blocks to the frames so we couldn't open them sufficiently to throw ourselves out. Screwdriver produced and blocks removed the same day. No one noticed in the 10 years I was there.

Miró

silvasava wrote: »

Always carried a lovely Swiss Army knife in the bottom of my handbag that had all sorts of gadgets on it ( promotional gift to DH) Had to travel to France for work and it was confiscated by security as I'd forgotten it was there I did ask if I could leave it at the Airline desk to collect on my return but no so lost an expensive piece of kit. Would love to know what happened to it. Got a Leatherman now but loved my SWA.

Oh silvasava....that nearly happened to me a few years ago coming back from New Zealand. I had a teeny tiny ladies version of a SAK in shocking pink which I also carried in the bottom of a handbag and completely forgot about. A rather dishy security guy took pity on me and said something about a blade under a certain length being allowed so there then followed a hunt for a ruler or measure to ascertain the exact length! Took ages but I kept my lovely pink SAK and I have never forgotten to put it in hold luggage since!!

My most scary airport experience happened when checking in for an internal flight in Egypt. Hand luggage went through the scanner in two's so mine went through with The Bloke's. I picked mine up after the scanner and started to walk away when I was roughly grabbed by two big burly security guys and bundled off into a small airless room where my bag was thoroughly searched - lining cut away and everything in it was taken apart. They thought they had spotted something suspicious in my bag when it was scanned. I then had to take off my clothes and change into a paper suit thingy....clothes were taken away and examined. I was absolutely terrified thinking I would never see the light of day again! I was held for over three hours, was not allowed a drink in over 100 degree heat and no access to a loo. (During all this TB just wandered off and read his book!) Eventually they had to let me go as they couldn't find anything. Phew! Later that evening TB took out of his hand luggage an industrial sized set of nail clippers....that was what they were looking for! They got the wrong bag :mad:

Anyhoo, to keep on-topic, I really must donate to a chazza the large Tree of Life papyrus drawing thingy that I purchased in Egypt and that I have never had framed, (never wishing to be reminded of Egypt or anything Egyptian ever again )

silvasava

Seriously scary Miro! I've been frisked many times (at the airport!!) I always seem to be targeted for some reason - maybe 'cos I'm tall but its always been just a random search thank goodness

tessie_bear

my dh always gets stopped at customs...I tell him he looks suspicious got a lovely next top today bnwt for £3 so pleased with that as is said £25 on the label

Floss

One of my 3 brothers always gets stopped at security...not just going into a country but trying to leave the UK as well

And I lost a bright red SAK when my handbag was knicked - it was my keyring. I now have a branded-by-old-employer one donated by DH which lives in my wash bag with the corkscrew

silvasava

Floss - you're a lady after my own heart! Bottle opener and corkscrew are essential ha eBay items

Blinking tablet! It's Handbag!

DigForVictory

Those who get pulled routinely should plan for it, allow time for it, warn those travelling with them, & just swing with the punch that says they have a mystery twin with their name & date of birth on a watchlist somewhere.

Cooperate cheerfully, calmly, pragmatically & you'll be through faster. Whilst so doing, pick their brains about how to get to the nearest city, where is a good place to get affordable food & where to treat a fellow traveller etc - they'll have views & if you're helping them, they're more willing to help you.

Some day we'll get this unique identity bit sorted but while we're using computers? Be gentle with the security folk & they'll be more human with you. (OK Egypt is a paranoid place, but the basic advice applies!)

Floss

My DH has just reminded me that when travelling to Israel for a fortnight every 3 months, he ALWAYS got pulled by security..."because he looked too confident"...because he'd travelled so often

silvasava

Floss - Israel have the highest security in the world - but I've always found them to be very polite and even on occasions apologetic. Not an experience I've had in the US
I don't have a problem with security at airports as it's done for our safety but it's the sometimes officious attitude I hate.
No CS bargains as I'm still clearing and donating