I think I am a fairly experienced traveller. I have my packing cubes so I fold and don’t roll. I never take a purse with me – just my backpack and my smallish sized suitcase. I even have my favourite flat Sketchers that I wear while flying as there are no laces or bits of metal to set off the security alarms.
Heck I even dumped my laptop in favour of an ipad so I don’t even have to open up my backpack going through security. Easy peasy – until this last trip. It’s what you call being over-confident.
Yes I will admit that in the past I have tapped my foot and raised my eyebrows when people’s carry on is searched only to reveal that two litre size bottle of shampoo. Jeez, do people not read the signs. No liquids. C’mon people. Work with me here – we all have a plane to catch.
So imagine my surprise when I breezed through security at Madrid airport only to be asked by security if this was my backpack.
“Yes” I replied (maybe a bit condescendingly).
“Do you mind opening it up so I can check it?”. Well of course not. I have nothing to hide.
So she goes through my back pack – ipad, kobo, medicine bag, shawl …. and yes those few little gifts – a bracelet and a pendant. Oh… but what is this?
“Is this a dagger which I see before me”
Was my face red or what?
Not a dagger but a small lethal letter opener made in Toledo.
Next time I see someone holding up security I am going to shut the hell up!
The Travel Lady's Blog 
Dear Leslie,
Innocent (dumb) me once inserted a very nice ornate metal bookmark into my book and was told it was a potential weapon (it did look like an opened paperclip)…
But, the nice security guard looked at me and realized I was a dumb tourist type and let me through anyway with an advise to stow it in my carryon between some clothes!!
Larry
LikeLike
Haha Larry – I am sure it was your usual charm that persuaded them!
LikeLike
Coming back from Thailand, I had forgotten that I had packed a silver cutlery set that I bought in my carry on bag. Korean airlines were really good and they put this set away and I got it when I landed in Los Angeles. I was sure that lovely set was gone.
LikeLike
Oh that was lucky Michelle! Wish I had been so lucky.
LikeLike