Social engineering vs. security theater
For a cross-country flight, I packed a lunch of deconstructed sandwiches. Slices of homemade walnut bread, a handful of arugula, a tomato, and a repurposed deli-container full of homemade crab salad. The crab salad was moist with mayo, lemon, and chopped apple. Spreadable, if not quite liquid, mostly filling an 8 oz container.
I didn’t expect it to pass security, so I was ready with Plan B: I’d back out of the security area, construct the sandwiches, and try again with the less-dense contraband.
So I’m pushing my carry-on along to the scanner belt when the TSA man on the x-ray calls for assistance. “Log-jam,” he says.
“They’re moving now,” I say, having straightened someone else’s bag. Mine goes through.
“I’m just trying to keep her busy [wink],” the TSA agent says, jerking his chin toward his colleague as she inspects the flow of bags.
I lock eyes with him. “Good strategy,” I wink back, and he doesn’t even glance at the screen as my bags sail through, crab salad and all.
Ah, social engineering vs. security theater. I love it.
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The crab salad sounds delicious. What a nice idea to put in apple. I think I’ll make that.
Only Bambi would redesign the word purpose so cleverly!
29 May 2008 at 11:33 am
I thought winking at TSA employees was verboten?
29 May 2008 at 2:36 pm
tsa employees no!!!!!
31 May 2008 at 1:44 am
sounds delicious
31 May 2008 at 1:48 am
Good for you but yikes for supposed security!
02 Jun 2008 at 11:54 pm
Much ado about nothing. I travel all the time, and things like crab salad pass through fine.
Thanksgiving pies, however, get confiscated. Stupid!
03 Jun 2008 at 12:02 am
I have to say that I don’t think this is a good idea. Touching other people’s luggage is something that can get you billy-clubbed.
I actually tried to straighten my OWN luggage one time, and the TSA agent yelled at me for touching luggage on the conveyor.
17 Nov 2008 at 12:26 pm