In my travels there is one thing about airport security that is consistent…  that one thing is that it is inconsistent.  Sure, there are a few things that have BECOME consistent… you now have to take your shoes off at virtually every airport and you get two chances to pass through the metal detector before you have to be manually searched but there are many more things that I have found to be variable depending on the airport that you visit.  

Is the rule supposed to be liquids and gels?  Where do pastes fit into the mix?  When I’m not in a hurry I will keep a tube of toothpaste or a deodorant in my carry-on bag… about 50% of the time I am stopped and my bag is searched and I am told that I can’t bring a paste through security.  You can check out what is permitted at the TSA website.

I also always carry a computer through security.  We all know that our computer has to be out of the bag and scanned with no additional articles.  Again about 1/2 the time I am also asked to put my external CD/Floppy drive into a bin for scanning.  Apparently at these airports that device is considered to be in the same category as a video camera or a DVD player.  I guess the rest of the time it doesn’t matter.

At many airports on the initial screening (when they check your ID and boarding pass) I simply show them my boarding pass and id and I am pushed through.  Other airports the screener is writing stuff on my boarding pass.  I can only assume that the boarding pass marks are to keep people from bringing their 3 ounces of gel through screening, then leaving and bringing 3 more ounces and leaving, etc…

Other things I’ve noticed… 

• Very different procedures / processes for doing a manual check.  I’ve only had my “zipper cleared” in one airport.
• Settings on the metal detectors vary from airport to airport and within airports.  I’ve learned at my local airport which are more sensitive and will require me to take off my belt and which ones will not sound if I leave my belt on.
• Jackets and sweatshirts – some airports make you take them off, others will let you keep them on.
• Do they want my boarding pass AND id after I go through the metal detector?  Some yes on both, others yes on just the boarding pass.
• Corkscrew… I’ve had one in my computer bag for months… On my last trip an airport screener asked me to check it or surrender it.  You can take scissors as long as the blade is no longer than 4 inches…
• Sports Equipment… you can’t take a hockey stick on a plane but a cane or an umbrella are allowed.  Go figure!

Have you found consistent inconsistencies?