I recently experienced an epiphany after an airport security line incident. I was traveling with my wife and my two young children to Baltimore. The Transportation Security Administration allows you to bring larger quantities of liquid for children through the security line. We brought juice for our son to have on the plane. My wife and I thought it would be cheaper to bring juice. However, you have to go through addition screening. I proceed to go through the metal detector and into that glass enclosed waiting area to be searched.
A TSA agent came over with two cloths to wipe my hands. Gee, I didn’t know they were going to clean my hands! Nope. They swiped my hands for evidence of bomb making materials. I watched as the TSA agent went over to a machine to analyze the samples. I heard the machine make some beeps, which didn’t good, and finally print out a report.
The TSA agent walked over and said, “Sir, do you take any medications?”
“Ah, well, not really. Just some creams. Maybe some over the counter stuff.”
“Sir, we found nitrates on you.” The TSA agent said sternly. What the heck! Nitrates! The stuff that blows stuff up? I looked over and saw two other TSA agents rifling through my bag. Oh great! I’m done for. They are going to lock me away in a room without windows and question me for hours. I’m going to miss my flight.
