Easing your way through security

[Deviant Ollam]

The conversation in this thread (GRRR... how in Jeebus' name does the thread link thing work again? i can never remember and i never find it in the forum FAQ no matter how i search.) got me thinking of a topic about which i'll bet a lot people here could share thoughts. Our crowd naturally tends to travel with a lot of tech and tools. We also tend (in a lot of cases) to look somewhat more "scary" to the normals of the world a lot of the time. I realize those are both generalizations, but I'm willing to guess that a lot of us fall into one or both of those categories.

These two factors can make for some significant delays and/or hassles at airport security, border crossings, and other such checkpoints. What factors do people attempt to arrange in their favor in order to ease passage through these areas? Any tips to share about which gear is always a red flag and should never be carried?

Or, perhaps, my favorite question... what LEO or .gov swag do you think can make the most difference in the minds of those who screen and select travelers? I know that many of us (myself included) love to rock the "polo shirt with lettered-agency logo" on the way home from a long con in order to avoid unnecessary hassles. What agency or institution do you think is the best one? What may sound cool but in actuality should be avoided?

I have plenty of my own thoughts on all this, but I want to hear yours. I'll make my comments in a subsequent post.

[xor]

Re: Easing your way through security

Well from my punk rock days, I found out the hard way that it's not a good idea to try and wear a fashion gun belt, with fake fashion bullets on a plane. It was pretty funny, you could tell the bullets were fake metal fashion bullets but it wasn't in their reg's and the TSA staff didn't know what to do. So they made me stick them in my carry on luggage as a compromise. They were pretty cool about it. Of course this was pre-911.

So inline with DO's post, look normal is a good way to get through security. No piercing, unusual fashion items ....etc. Anything that will set the metal detectors off. Of course I have some titanium in my face from an operation but it barely registers. Steel toe boots are another bad idea to.

xor

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Easing your way through security

My travel has increased to the point that i've developed a pretty well-oiled routine at checkpoints and the fact that I execute it flawlessly, coupled with a few other factors, has made my life a lot easier. I'll break down my own tips into some categories here...

Gear & Equipment

I travel with only one laptop. Many times when at cons and events i need more than one, but the rest get checked with the baggage. My laptop is small and non-threatening (although it is covered with stickers flaming the drug war, crypto laws, etc) and always has battery power if they demand that I boot it up.

My green bag (the satchel that everyone sees me with almost all the time at cons) is stripped of most of its objectionable or questionable content for air travel. Naturally, my toolkit goes into checked cargo (screwdrivers and small blades on cutters, etc) but also i opt to not fly with my large set of picks. Wires for accessories that I will never need (like TV adapter cables or chargers for secondary devices) are all moved to checked baggage. This makes my carry-ons lighter and much less scary when viewed via x-ray.

I don't like to advise people on how to get things "past" screeners... but if you have something that's a possible red flag but in reality is totally legal (lockpicks are a big one here) your toiletries case is your best friend. I love to have a particularly difficult padlock with me on a long trip and i often have a single wrench and one or two picks somewhere in my bags so i can play with it. I've been questioned about this before, had to surrender picks twice (yeah, so i'm out 3 dollars), but generally have no trouble.

Clothing and Appearance

Here is somewhere that hacker black fashion can sometimes work against you. I've got no qualms and don't feel like any kind of a sellout over the fact that I try to look as "normal" as possible when I travel. I've been Mister Four S on so many trips when I was young that now i'll gladly wear the nice shirt etc. if it makes life better.

In my experience, I tend to wear a non-ragged pair of cargo/utility pants in a flat, dark color (black or navy BDU trousers work best, i think) and couple them with a polo shirt or t-shirt from a federal agency.

I'd really love to hear what people think about which agencies or departments have the best swag for this routine. My own opinion is that if a department is too obscure or low on the totem pole (FDA pork inspection division, Police Athletic League, etc) it won't do much but if a department is too recognizable (CIA, FBI, etc) then it can raise eyebrows or at the very least curiosity ("oh, so do you work for the CIA?"... "um, no... i'm just a .gov fanboy")

And, of course, I would think it's a Very Bad Idea™ to wear the logo of the TSA or any department who is under the direct control of DHS (like a Secret Service or US Customs polo) since that could be construed (perhaps in a stretch) as attempting to impersonate personnel who are working security at the airport/border/etc.

My footwear tends to be my black leather steel-toe GI boots, simply because they're too large and cumbersome to pack.

Behavior and Demeanor

I think that this may have the most to do with how you are treated at security. I have the whole Airport TSA thing down to a science with respect to always having my liquids in a plastic bag in the side pouch of my backpack, easily whipped out and on to a screening tray. My boots are always untied and ready to be surrendered easily. My laptop is always ready to be whipped out and laid on the belt. I dump everything in my pockets except for my ID and my ticket/pass which i carry in my hands through the detectors.

At broder crossings the Customs Agents and Passport Control staff are trained to nonchalantly fire very short but precise questions at you without warning. They want to see if you get upset or flustered. If it's your first time encountering them you may be worried, but just focus on the fact that you are doing nothing wrong and have nothing to hide. They aren't after you for the l33t w4rez you downloaded when you were 15. They want to find the guy who is carrying $30K in cash cocaine profits or someone who bought/stole priceless artifacts in an Asian town without declaring them.

Look people in the eye, but don't have a penetrating stare. They're bored a lot, and they like it when you're bored, too. Looking half-awake and slightly disheveled is pretty standard for folks who just made an international flight. Looking happy to be heading home but slightly upset at being in an airport is normal for everyone else. Don't make a fuss about stupid questions and your life gets a lot better, in my experience.

Lastly, however, there's always the stuff that's just out of your hands. The length of your hair (either on top of your head or on your chin) may be a factor that you're not willing to change to suit the whim of security folks. Your age, complexion, or weight are also likely to be subconscious factors in the minds of others and you can't do much there, either.

Still, the above are the steps that I take to make my life easier when traveling. (And, really, it helps make the lives of the security folk easier, too, since they can minimize any time wasted on me and focus on perhaps finding someone who is an actual security concern.)

Public Question

So... what is the very best logo that one could be sporting on a polo shirt through security?

[Thorn]

Re: Easing your way through security

My travel has increased to the point that i've developed a pretty well-oiled routine at checkpoints and the fact that I execute it flawlessly, coupled with a few other factors, has made my life a lot easier. I'll break down my own tips into some categories here...

Great advice, Dev.

One tip: My ID case, wallet, checkbook, loose change, etc., all go in a sealed gallon-size plastic bag with my last name lettered on it in permanent maker. Only one picture ID and the tickets/boarding passes are kept out. It fits in the cargo pocket of BDUs, fits in the scanner tray, nicely and goes right back in the cargo pocket with no fumbling. Several officials have commented that it makes a lot of sense.

I had one TSA official ask me about it last year leaving DefCon. His objection was that it was "one gallon" rather than a quart size. When I stated that my carry-on liquids -a single bottle of had sanitizer- were in a quart-size bag as per regulations and this was merely a convenient way to pass the contents through the scanner , he shrugged and let it go.

Of course, they then separated out my portable printer for and external hard drives for explosive residue screening, but that took all of 2 minutes.

[renderman]

Re: Easing your way through security

I agree with Dev, a .gov logo shirt can be your best friend, however, that's only true when travelling within the USA. Given that the US is not making alot of friends internationally at the moment, I opted not to wear my DIA shirt as it my get me more scrutiny than less.

I typically wear a button down shirt and nice pants and try to look innocuous. The trenchcoat and hat typically seem excentric, but not threatening. At worst they think I'm a musician or something.

Much like Thorn says, have your shit together and just go with the flow. I got lightly grilled about my unusual round trip to the cons and I could tell the guy was double checking. A few bad jokes and nods and I was through.

I've gotten selective screening a couple times and the best bet is to be early, organized and let them know your coming. When you get up there, tell every TSA person you see that you got selective screening. Takes the suspicion out of thier sails and moves you into the realm of routine.

[Thorn]

Re: Easing your way through security

The conversation in this thread [I](GRRR... how in Jeebus' name does the thread link thing work again?

FYI, I fixed the link for you.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Easing your way through security

FYI, I fixed the link for you.

did you just do a link to the full URL? I recall CotMan showing us how to use some sort of syntax like or some such. It creates a URL that automatically has http:// or https:// depending on how the viewing user was browsing the forums. also, if a thread gets moved, merged, etc i think it handles that better.

[Thorn]

Re: Easing your way through security

I just did the full link.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Easing your way through security

yeah, i'd still love to see this idea come to life some day. (heh, full link there, as well)

i realize that it's sort of a lot of code for not that much return on investment, however.

[Voltage Spike]

Re: Easing your way through security

Much like Thorn says, have your shit together and just go with the flow. I got lightly grilled about my unusual round trip to the cons and I could tell the guy was double checking. A few bad jokes and nods and I was through.

I have found this to be the best advice. I have found that a little tame humor and joviality works really well. I do carry way too many electronic items (I rarely check luggage), but being upbeat and respectful works well for me.

That isn't to say I'm always cooperative. I rarely take my shoes off at US airports unless asked (some airports even insist you keep them on), oftentimes keep my headphones/belt on, overpack the scanning bins when it gets really crowded, etc. However, a little forethought in anticipating an agent's reaction and a willingness to respond quickly to any requests actually seems to help the process go smoother. There is likely a feeling that they have fulfilled their requirements for the passenger and are ready to move onto the next person.

I've never tried wearing governmental logos. Generic culture shirts (bands, etc.) work well for establishing rapport during your short interval with a stranger.

did you just do a link to the full URL? I recall CotMan showing us how to use some sort of syntax like or some such.

The markup for the forums can be found by clicking the "vB Code" link at the bottom of every page. Your syntax, [thread=9122]this thread[/thread], is correct as seen here.

[beakmyn]

Re: Easing your way through security

I carry

Electronics
Dell C600 b|t xp (play)
Dell D820 XP (work)
Dell Axim x51v
Buetooth GPS
Dlink pocket router
Creative Ultra Live Camera

CDs
XP Pro SP2
UBCD
B|T 2
OPHCrack
Hirens 8.8
Windows Password Reset
Free: http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/
Company paid for http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-...utm_content=v1


Cards
3Com 10/100 ethernet
AB PCMK/B card (DH+ RS485)
Airnet Wireless (Atheros)
SmartTV Saa1734 TV Tuner (still can't get sound to work in Slax)
Few others

USB
20GB harddrive (XPE and other)


Cables
Ethernet (x3)
RJ-58 (6 foot)
Serial (xover,straight through, gender bender)
PS/2 Keyboard extension
DH+ Cable
Axim Sync
USB

Misc
Krogers card (can't pay full price for beer when traveling, just ask for one and they'll give you one with no forms to fill out)
LED Keychain light
A/C adapter (x2)
USB cigarette power adapter (GPS,Axim)
MousePad
Optical Mouse
Safety Glasses
Wet Naps
Purel .5 oz
Heaphones
Ear Plugs
Permanent Fine tip pen
Blue ballpoint Pen
Quad Ruled Notebook
cell phone charger
Crafstman Screwdrivers (5/64, 1/8, 3/32) all at or under 6 inches length
small regular/phillips flip over screwdriver
couple jewler's screwdrivers
Maglite (x2AAA type)
pliers (5.5 inches in length)
Nikon Coolpix L3
CF Card 64mb
CF to PCMCIA adapter
small led keychain light

Altoids Tin
Belkin Bluetooth
512MB PQI (amish switchblade)
1GB PQI (B|T 2)
1GB Lexar Firefly (awaiting data)
1GB Sandisk cruzer (puppy linux)
2GB 3D connect (free after rebate)
2GB Memorex U3 (~2gb tools)
Controllogix PLC key
PLC5 key
rake/hook pick (for everything else)
tension wrench

The only issue I have is my home departing airport always has to look for the pliers. They don't care about the screwdrivers or anything else. So, now when they say "Who's bag is this?" I reply, "it's mine and the pliers are in the front pocket."

I've never had a full search of the bag and other then looking for the pliers they've flipped the bag over and run it through again.

I take both laptops and the Axim out and put them in seperate bins. I just wear jeans, sneakers and a shirt.

Recently travelled across Canadian border with a client. We're from Upstate NY driving a rented HHR with Florida plates and this (http://www.frontiernet.net/~beakmyn/...t%20Server.htm) was sitting on the dash blinking away. Along we me in the passenger seat with laptop open.

Customs: "That's not a radar detector is it? Cause those are illegal in Canada."
Answer: No sir it's for wireless router.
Customs: Like internet?
answer: Yeah.

We got sent to customs anyway because they had to review the paperwork on the $150k machine we were doing warranty work on.

[Grifter]

Re: Easing your way through security

Best tip for getting through security without getting hassled...

Be attractive.

[DJ Jackalope]

Re: Easing your way through security

When you get up there, tell every TSA person you see that you got selective screening. Takes the suspicion out of thier sails and moves you into the realm of routine.

What is selective screening?

[DJ Jackalope]

Re: Easing your way through security

I tend to have way more things on me than I need to when I go through security mostly because i don't trust the baggage handlers, etc. I have had lots of my DJ gear searched to see if it was an explosive. Turntables, records, record cases (i did check those), and I think even my laptop once.

The two airports I have been checked out the most in: Vegas and Rhode Island. The airport I fly out of the most from is Denver International.

I keep all the stuff I have to put in the bins in the top easiest place to get to in my carry on. I've also found that bad jokes and random banter work well with getting through security. I think honestly, even though I -hate- saying this, being female helps in this case as well as most TSA seem to be male and I seem to get chatted up quite a bit.

I have a friend who has a story about a logo t-shirt and a conversation with a travel agent and getting onto a plane. I'll let him tell it if he wants!

[Z^2]

Re: Easing your way through security

*sigh* the good old days when you still got metal utensils with which to eat on planes.

Instead of a .gov shirt or something, I try to put on some geeky science shirt, or be carrying a quantum mechanics book if I think it'll be particularly annoying that day.

Now everything but my shoes and my laptop goes in my coat pockets, so that once I see the security screening machines of various sorts I have three three piles for them: laptop and handful of other small tech in my bag in a bin, shoes & coats in another, rest of my bag on the conveyor belt. It helps that I look positively frozen in just a t-shirt and pants when I walk through, for them making me take the bulk of my clothes off. No matter how bastardly the TSA agents might be, if you look frightened and cold, they won't give you much hassle.