…six sentence story for the prompt with a similar name where the given word is Security!
.
.
I love flying, not literally of course, flap as I may I’ve never managed to soar with seagulls or flutter with finches, I refer of course to aeroplanes, those magical contraptions that inexplicably manage to shoot up into the sky, plough through clouds then plop back down again.
Long haul is fun, a couple of meals, unlimited drinks, decent movies, a snooze or two, what’s not to like, but I’ll tell you one thing that’s not to like; airports, especially that intrusive, obnoxious, stressful barrier known as security!
I don’t know about you, but if I arrive at Gatwick, Heathrow or wherever early there’s never a hold-up and I spend several hours bored out of my mind in the departure lounge, but if I’m pushed for time the queue snakes this way and that for miles moving at a pace that makes a snail seem speedy.
Put those in a bag, put these in a tray, take off your shoes, do this, do that, don’t do the other, but of the most embarrassing things I experienced was when I removed my belt as instructed and my trousers fell down; thank goodness I wasn’t going commando!
Why is it that almost every time I nervously step through that silly bridge thing, the alarm shrieks at me and everyone stares for a few seconds as if I’m a terrorist or something, and then I’m groped or stroked with those ping-pong bat-like things?
I regularly have my bag unpacked for no apparent reason, someone with similar shoes to mine once walked off with my tray, I’ve had a bottle seized because it contained about 101 millilitres of water, there was the time I …. enough said!
.
Image: Tsa Badge Cliparts #2630591
.
.
Thanks to Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge for hosting.
I almost have my bag opened at security check in the airport
It’s so frustrating!
It is. Perhaps it was my Pakistani passport or my brown color but it happened to me often.
That is not pleasant.
I can relate. I received an email telling me that my TSA pre-check is going to expire. Will I be traveling again? Is it worth the hassle of either reapplying or dealing with TSA? Maybe I’ll just travel via YouTube videos.
Until I just Googled it, I didn’t know what a TSA was. Now I do! I can’t imagine not travelling, hassle or not.
It’s always a wild card!
Very true!
for one with a certain personality type as am I*, the ordeal at airports is barely tolerable. the idea of long lines, will never a particularly an attractive process, is doubled by the consequences of having to step out of line…
tru Six. yo.
*the one for whom the most unpleasant experience in everyday life is scrutiny
I sense and share your pain!
Sigh…the vicissitudes of travel. I can relate..
It’s usually worth it in the end!
Going through security is one time that I go, “I don’t have any drugs, but did I accidentally pack some drugs?” It’s amazing how going across the border into the States from Canada can get my anxiety to spike. It’s probably just as well that I barely ever do it.
It’s odd that one has irrational fears in such situations!
All good reasons not to fly. Or if one has to, carry very little luggage.
Very true, Frank!
I never fly and thanks for reminding why. 🙂
I love foreign travel, so for me airport security is a necessary evil!
I haven’t traveled in years. When I hear stories about the troubles and difficulties these days I am happy to stay home.
It’ll take more than that to stop me from travelling!
This is why i prefer to drive, if i can. Flying is too annoying!
I can drive across Europe, but my bucket list destinations leave me no choice!
Hi Keith – a frustrating experience for so many of us. One just needs to be prepared to be p a t i e n t … to say the least – cheers Hilary
It’s a small price to pay for what comes after!
Haven’t been on a plane since since flying to Europe in ’95, Keith. After hearing/reading your entertaining commentary on flying current day, I think I’ll pass on that mode of travel, lol