13 Things to Never Say at Airport Security If You Want a Smooth Trip
Airport security can be a breeze, or a stormy ordeal, and a lot of that comes down to how you communicate with the security personnel. It can be the difference between a quick walk to your gate and a long chat in less comfortable surroundings.
Those moments at the security checkpoint are important. The officers know how to look for threats in behavior and in what’s said. You may want to try a joke to lighten the mood, but airport security is not the arena for some types of humor or comments. Here are a few key phrases to avoid if you don’t want things to get complicated with airport security.
“I Guess I Forgot to Leave My Firearm at Home”
No matter how good you are at sarcasm, mentioning any kind of weapons is a huge no-no because security agents are trained to take everything you say seriously. The quickest way to miss your flight is to comment about firearms, explosives or any weapon.
“Can you Really Catch Terrorists?”
While this may seem like an odd question or a way to break the ice, questioning the competency of security staff is a sure fire way to become a target. They’re here to make sure everyone’s safe, and no amount of doubting their abilities will make them any friendlier or your screening any quicker.
“There’s Nothing in my bag They Need to Check”
This can sound like a challenge to security personnel. Their job is to figure out what needs to be checked and even if you’re kidding, this comment can be seen as an attempt to cover up something. Follow their instructions and you will get through sooner.
‘I Packed at the last Minute. I Have no Idea What’s in There”
Such a statement is a red flag for security agents. This means you’re not taking care of what you’re carrying, and you don’t know what’s in that bag, which is dangerous. You should always know exactly what is in your luggage and ensure it complies with TSA rules.
“Can This go any Faster? I Have a Plane to Catch!”
Security checks can take as long as necessary to ensure everyone is safe, so pressuring staff to rush through the procedure is neither polite nor wise. It could even make the process take even longer. Remember that the staff is doing their best to keep safety protocols running smoothly and your cooperation can help keep things running smoothly for everyone.
“This isn’t Fair!”
When you’re speaking up against real injustices, casually throwing around words like discrimination during security checks might come back to bite you. If you think you are being mistreated, comply during the process and then take it up with the airline or the authorities directly afterward.
“You Work for my tax Dollars”
This isn’t a cliché; it’s a provocative statement that’s not likely to earn you many friends, least of all in a government employee who is just doing their job. Keep the interaction professional and courteous; there is nothing wrong with that.
“Check These Shoes? They Stink Enough Already”
It’s great to attempt to lighten the mood with some humor but at the airport or other security-heavy situations, you might make jokes about security procedures that can be taken the wrong way and seen as inappropriate or suspicious. The best thing to do to avoid miscommunication that will complicate your screening process is to Interact with clarity which helps you avoid unnecessary delays for yourself and others.
“I’m not a Criminal, you don’t Need to Check me”
This is one confrontational statement you should avoid making. Everyone is subject to the same security procedures regardless of how law-abiding they are. All measures are put in place for you and everyone else’s safety on board.
“This is Ridiculous”
Complaining about the security process is understandable, but it’s best kept to yourself. It’s not just annoying for you, but for everyone else in line as well, so voicing your frustration loudly will only slow the process down.
“Better not be Anything Exciting in These Bags”
Suggesting casually that your luggage could be boring or interesting enough to merit a second look, may be exactly what lands it in the extra screening queue. Don’t comment about your belongings, keep it neutral and factual.
I Heard About That guy who got Through With a…
Avoid discussing stories of security breaches or lapses, whether personal experiences or incidents reported in the news, while standing in the security line at airports or other secure facilities. Talking about these topics in such settings can make people around you suspicious and potentially prompt security personnel to ask more detailed questions.
“You Want me to Find Anything?”
Even if only joking, challenging a security officer to the frisk search of your bags is a taunt, and may serve as a cue for the security officer to do a more thorough search than he or she would have otherwise. It’s good practice to keep things on the down low and avoid any comments or phrasing that could be taken as a challenge or provocation.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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