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.
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!
I thought winking at TSA employees was verboten?
tsa employees no!!!!!
sounds delicious
Good for you but yikes for supposed security! ;)
Much ado about nothing. I travel all the time, and things like crab salad pass through fine.
Thanksgiving pies, however, get confiscated. Stupid!
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.
Crab is my favourite dish. Yum yum. Crab salad definitely is a hit in Asia. In fact, it is eaten as a cold dish.