Passing through security

[DLB-GOUROCK]

As you pass through security control in the US do you still have to take off your shoes ?

What else do they check as you pass through ?

I was last there in 2006 and thought that this was such a hassle as once I passed through I was ushured on by a guard before I could stop to put my shoes back on. He did not give me any time but insisted that I should leave the area.

I even saw a family passing through and the father went through second last with his daughter following. He got into a "dispute" with a guard who was ushering him on and he did not want to leave without his daughter.

BTW this was at Sanford. Off again in a couple of weeks and wondering what to expect.

[edlea]

Whatever, you'll just have to do as you're told.
It's like being pulled over by Plod, if you get shirty with them, they just make your life a whole lot harder.
And yes, expect to have to take your shoes off.

[Snapper]

The whole process is pretty much the same at all airports the world over these days. Some ask you to remove your shoes, some don't. Some ask you to take laptops out of your bag. Some don't. Some like you to remove your belt if it has a metal buckle. Some don't. Etc. etc.

It's probably not worth singling out the US as they are no different to the rest of the world. If you want to set your expectations of the US on the way back just pay attention to what happens at the UK airport on the way out.

[Jill]

Went through Washington at Christmas and you could have nice little blue slippers to put on instead of walking through in socks and bare feet, which I thought was cute.

Hope you do not get a security guard like we did who says to your son, who has very long hair tied back in a pony tail, 'time to get your hair cut sonny' and then have to rush him through as he is about to say at least I have some which is more than you do as the guy was completely bald and you have visions of turning straight back round and going back on the plane that night.

Whoever you get I am sure it will not impact that much on your overall holiday and anyway we found getting back into Heathrow earlier this year proir to terminal 5 was much worse than any experience we have had getting into America. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves[msnmad]

[DLB-GOUROCK]

Steve,

I've no problem with doing what they want. Just hope that you get some time to sort yourself out afterwards.
It's all down to the people skills of those who are "processing" you and yes this is the world over.

[ShirleyD]

I think you will find most immigration and security staff have attended charm school in the last 2 years [msnwink] There is of course a need to keep the lines flowing and you will generally find there are seats a few feet away where you can get yourself back together again.

[ellie]

We found it much easier last time we flew out of Orlando International Airport. There were seats where you could sit and put your shoes back on. We also noticed that at Gatwick, you don't take off your shoes until you have been through the first security check and then there are lots of seats where you can put them back on again, much better than before.

Just flown back from Spain where they did not want you to take off your shoes, but insisted that you take off your watch....[msnoo] The lady beside me thought he wanted her to take off all her jewellery, and was dropping her large diamond rings into the tray before I told her that all he wanted was her watch and her belt.

However, I don't mind what we have to do in order to fly out to Orlando. Taking one's shoes off is a momentary inconvenience at most, and really is not worth worrying about, and they do seem to be making it more comfortable for us. Hope you have a great time.[msnwink]

[luckylady]

We noticed at Orlando International Airport that seats was provided this time ,did make a difference when trying to get yourselves sorted
I personally don't care what minor inconvenience I have to endure,safety is paramount.

[Cruella DeVilla]

Personally I don't think it's even worth worrying about.

[SDJ]

If taking your shoes off and being rushed stops one terrorist, then so be it. We just do what we have to do. What an awful job for these security people having to put up with irate travellers every hour of every day. I would not want that job and if they are helping me and my family to be safe, good on them[clap]

Sandra