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Edited on Tue Dec-29-09 07:09 PM by ThatsMyBarack
I don't fly much anymore but, every few years or so, the Ice Skating Institute holds its annual Adult Championships in Las Vegas. When I hear about it, I make it a point to be there to skate in that competition as well for a rare vacation. Because of the extra cost to check bags, and horror stories about lost/stolen baggage, I feel it necessary to take my skates WITH me as a carry-on--for the trip TO Vegas, anyway. Unfortunately, I've heard too many horror stories about my fellow skaters who were forced by TSA screeners to check their skates (Skates aren't on the list, but they have a blade and blades ARE on the list") only to never see their skates again--and have to withdraw from their (paid-for) skating events.
In the past, I've had no problems (KNOCK WOOD) because:
a) I've managed to sneak my skate bag without TSA screeners looking inside it, or....
b) I've checked my skate bag and actually had found it at the baggage claim on "the other side."
I've already got a ticket on United (where I've been a frequent-flyer mileage customer for over 20 years) from O'Hare to LAS in October 2010. Sadly, given the fact that the powers that be at FAA and TSA are staying up nights to come up with more ways to make flying invasive and unbearable, who knows how much worse the situation(s) will then? I've come up with the following ideas:
1. If a screener sends you back to check your skates, just get back in the security line and try a different screener.
2. If that fails, RUN!!!!
People say that I should just be grateful that TSA is there to "protect" us, but do I care anymore? :shrug:
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