Summary
Imagine this… You’ve booked your flight and are on your way to the airport. Everything seems fine until you get there and suddenly something goes completely wrong. You’ve just done something you shouldn’t do in an airport, and you end up stuck in that little room trying to explain what just happened.
For many years, unpredictable situations have occurred in airports all across the country, leading to countless stories and even TV shows about these experiences.
Things You Shouldn’t Do in an Airport
At some point or another, someone will inevitably make the mistake of doing something they shouldn’t have done in an airport.
If you’ve ever seen the movie, “Meet The Parents”, then you would know that acting out in an airport can lead to troublesome situations. You might find yourself ending up with an unwelcome companion in a jail cell, and we wouldn’t want that now, would we?
Questions to Ponder Before Entering the Airport
Before heading to the airport, consider asking yourself the following questions:
- Do I have anything suspicious in my suitcase?
- Are my liquids the right size?
- Am I wearing appropriate attire?
- Am I careful with my choice of words?
Over the years, sensitivities have increased at airports due to previous incidents. You may think, “That wouldn’t happen to me. What could I possibly do to cause a problem in an airport?” Well, here are some guidelines:
#1 Do Not Say the Word Bomb, Explore, Bang or “In My Shoe.”
This is undoubtedly at the top of the list of things you should not do in an airport. Uttering such words could get you removed from the plane faster than you can say “bomb.” No one wants to hear those words, especially in an airport. Not only will you regret saying it, but you’ll also attract unwanted attention and who knows where that will lead you!
Note from Deb: My dad did this once when I was young. I was traveling to Colorado to train for figure skating. Back then, we used a big metal scribe to draw our circles during practice. When folded up, it resembled a gun. Dad jokingly implied it was a gun—imagine the consequences had that happened today!
#2 Do Not Wear Your Sunglasses Inside
Wearing sunglasses indoors might send the wrong message, leading others to think you’re a criminal hiding your identity. There’s nothing worse than being a victim of mistaken identity, which can cause delays and embarrassment.
Note from Deb: I wear prescription sunglasses due to my nearsightedness. I once approached the immigration counter still wearing them, leading to a stern warning. I learned my lesson and now avoid wearing sunglasses indoors.
#3 Do Not Reach Into Your Jacket After Setting off the Metal Detector
Even if you’re not the type to carry a weapon, reaching into your jacket after triggering the metal detector could lead to drastic misunderstandings. It’s safer to comply with security protocols to avoid any dangerous situations.
#4 Do Not Carry Bulk Packages of Tea Leaves in Your Bag
While it’s great that grandmas love their tea leaves, carrying large amounts could cause issues at airport security or even lead to arrest. You could face lengthy delays as officials investigate your bag. It’s better to leave such items at home as you can purchase them while traveling.
Note from Dave: Our neighbor frequently traveled to Jamaica. When he returned with copious amounts of coffee, it raised suspicions at customs, leading to a lot of frustration and a lengthy inspection process.
#5 Do Not Pat the Sniffer Dog
Many of these dogs are trained to spot drugs and explosives. They aren’t always in a friendly mood! Attempting to pet one could lead to uncomfortable interactions with security, or worse, a trip to the emergency room instead of your flight.
Note from Dave and Deb: We once encountered a cute dog in Australia trained to sniff for fruits and vegetables. Although it was tempting to give it a friendly pat, we refrained to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves. We always keep interactions with officials minimal, preferring a drama-free experience.
It is crucial to remember that any of these actions could land you on the next airport incident report, and not in a good way! With so many rules and behaviors to avoid, it’s surprising that these mistakes still occur.
Do you have any funny (or terrifying) stories from your airport experiences? We’d love to hear!
