[Don Plumley]

Similar thing happened to us. Last Fall we were at SFO on our way to the BVI via JFK. They took my daughter (12) aside and started to thoroughly search her pink backpack. I started to get quite a chuckle as they sorted through colored pencils, bags of candy, iPod, etc. when they pulled out a full size pair of scissors. Holy Cr@p! As my jaw hangs open, and my daughter mouths to me, "I didn't know I couldn't bring them" the TSA person takes the scissors over to a supervisor, who brings them back to my daughter - and gives them back! Gotta love SFO.

Fast forward 5 hours. We have a couple hour layover so we hang out at the club - which is outside of security at JFK. Knowing my innocent looking little girl is packing heat, we decide that instead of letting them discover them again, we'd come clean up front and disclose to a TSA agent. You'd think we told them we had a device. A quick huddle, lots of conversation, and they take the scissors. I'm guessing JFK is a little more sensitive to this sort of thing than the night shift at SFO. Gotta love the consistency.

Another TSA story - friend of mine is a French Chef. He was in Atlanta rushing to get through security to make his flight. Once they get through, being Delta, it was delayed. As he sat in the boarding lounge, he suddenly realizes that he has his KNIFE ROLL in his carry-on. He meant to check his bag, but through the rush, forgot. How that got through the x-ray is beyond him. So what to do? Stay quiet? Nope, wants to do the up front thing and let someone know. Hails a TSA supervisor, and explains the dilemma. Who do you think is in trouble - the folks that let him through with a full set of knifes or him? Needless to say it was a very uncomfortable hour for him.

The TSA - protecting our skies from 12 year olds with scissors and honest Chefs with a bunch of knifes...