Tomorrow my family is jumping on a plane and heading to California for almost two weeks of sun, sightseeing, and family togetherness. I will still post a couple of times each week, and I’ll reply to all comments. However, I’ll be out of the loop in terms of visiting other blogs. My kids give me grief about spending time online, and I need this time with them to relax and recharge.
But today I want to share a piece of travel advice that I strongly advise you heed:
Do not pack rocks in your luggage.
Oh, not because they are too heavy. I mean, yes, that is a reason to not pack rocks in your luggage…but that’s not my point.
Remember Charlie Brown mumbling, “I got a rock” after peeking in his trick-or-treat bag? Airport security will not just peek; they will plunder.
We arrived at Logan International Airport with plenty of time to spare; we would have about an hour after going through security to eat lunch before boarding the plane to come home. All four of us passed through the scanner without incident, but my son’s carry-on raised the bushy eyebrows of the security man.
Actually, it did more than raise a few eyebrows. Apparently some mysterious substance detected in the luggage required a lengthy inspection of our bags and our bodies. Bags were opened, and a paddle-thingy was passed over every single item we packed. Books were flipped through, and shoes were taken out one by one and placed in some machine that measured who knows what.
And then we had the pleasure of being patted down. A security lady for my daughter and me, a security man for my husband and son. Full pat downs – legs spread and hands in the air. Paddle thingy scanned over all of us too.
The whole ordeal lasted thirty minutes, which meant we had to buy trail mix and cheese cubes to take on the plane for lunch.
And for what? Those pretty rocks my ten year old had collected from the beach in Maine. They had a substance on them that was flagged as possible explosive residue. So the protocol had to be followed, even after personnel opened the bag and saw it was just a bag of rocks.
Needless to say, there will be no nature souvenirs taken home from California.
so.. when I was single, in my 20’s and living in Chicago, I made my first visit to Denver. My friend that I visited was an avid cave explorer and took me to a crystal cave where we found beautiful rose quartzes and I decided to bring some 20# home with me. Thank God this was WAY pre-9/11 but I remember running thru the airports with the heaviest bags ever because of those rocks. And yes, I still have them 🙂
so.. when I was single, in my 20’s and living in Chicago, I made my first visit to Denver. My friend that I visited was an avid cave explorer and took me to a crystal cave where we found beautiful rose quartzes and I decided to bring some 20# home with me. Thank God this was WAY pre-9/11 but I remember running thru the airports with the heaviest bags ever because of those rocks. And yes, I still have them 🙂
Wow – security was much more lax back then! At least you got a god workout before your flight 🙂
Who would think that rocks collected would have a suspicious, potentially explosive, substance on them? Crazy! We got patted down one time because we had a big thermos of soy milk (my toddler has allergies to dairy). We live in crazy times…
Yes we do, Lani. Better safe than sorry, I suppose!
No way! That is so funny….and, NOT funny, really. I love the “I got a rock” reference! Also, don’t you DARE reply to this comment! I just back from a short vaca, and it was hard to give myself permission to completely check out of the blog world. But I did it! (OK, I cheated just a tiny bit.) So you let these comments slide- I dare you! Have a great vacation- it is so important to recharge and unplug! Enjoy!
I can’t accept your dare, Stephanie – but it did take me two days to reply! And I’m not visiting other blogs, so there’s something!
I was cheap when I went to St. John and packed a bunch of food to take with us to cut meal costs. Apparently peanut butter is a big no-no. Hope you enjoy your break, Dana!!!!
Thank you Kate. Peanut butter is a no no too? Interesting.
Enjoy your family time…seriously dump all of us. I hope you have a fabulous time. I actually have my out of town parents in to help me with the kiddos. You have to still live your life. Have fun!
Thank you Kate!
Laughing! We had an issue with airport security too when we let our youngest pack his own carryon a number of years back. Not smart.
Uh oh – mine packed their own luggage this time – fingers crossed!
Sure, the “rocks” are what flagged security. I tried that excuse in high school when my car smelled like pot. My parents didn’t appreciate me being “one with nature.” Yet another reason to buy t-shirts as souvenirs.
If my kid has pot in his luggage it’s not airport security he should be worried about…
i think you are looking at this the wrong way. you absolutely HAVE to find something nature-ful on this and every trip. it will be your covert fact-finding mission on TSA everywhere. we like test them all out. gracie had a bunch of big beach rocks in her carry-on on a trip back from florida one year. as long as she was carrying it, i really didn’t care. however, TSA did. they actually made her pick one and toss the rest. explain that! a huge pine cone from yosemite made it through though, no problem. have an awesome trip!
Hmmm – maybe a seashell would be safe. Not sure I want to risk it. Looking forward to your guest post on Thursday – it’s all ready to go!
Oh dear! Poor thing!! It’s just a rock!
I guess all rocks are not created equal, Roshni!
Ah, gotta love that airport security. Rocks, indeed.
Yep. Rocks.
I love how you are going on vacation and still think of all of us with a timely PSA. Now stop reading and go enjoy your kids 🙂
I don’t have to enjoy them until tomorrow morning, Kerri. 😉
So funny! My DD and I flew to CA out
Of Logan last week. We were late and they almost didn’t let us get on the plane! Good thing she didn’t have any rocks in her backpack! Have a great time, CA is wonderful!
Thank you – I can’t wait to show my kids the west coast! I’ll make sure to get to the airport in plenty of time, and rock-free.
Oh, sigh! The state of flying today – it’s still worth it, of course, to visit beautiful places like California. When I lived there, I seriously don’t remember ANY ticks or mosquitoes or humidity, but I suppose it’s where you go. Looking forward to reading the posts from abroad!
Thanks, Tamara. I just walked the dog in sticky gross humidity – I’m an East Coast girl, but I’d rather have West Coast weather!
That is crazy! I give myself injections every week, so when we go away I have to take a vial of meds and needles with me in refrigerated bag. It amazes me that security has never once opened my bag to check it out. You would think they would even be concerned about the liquid in the freezer packs.
Have a fabulous trip! California is beautiful.
So frozen liquid is ok, rocks are not. Go figure. I’m going to look back at your Facebook pics of California, Lisa – you did so many fun things!
Eek! I go through security a lot and thankfully (knock on wood) no incidents so far.
If you refrain from taking rocks home, you should be fine 🙂
Enjoy your vacation, don’t let airport security spoil it!
I won’t, Michelle – thank you!
Oh no! I once had to have a full-body pat-down/groping/wand down my pants at airport security {in full view of my students, no less, when I was taking a student trip to Germany…}, oh the humiliation of being violated by airport security!
Enjoy your vacation!!! 🙂
Thanks, Sarah! Yes, being pat down was not fun, but at least I got a funny blog post out of it!
Totally enjoy your vacation and seriously just take a break. Blogging will be there when you return. I know easier said then done (trust me), but still you totally deserve this and hope you have fun now!! 🙂
I will take your advice, Janine – if I can just get through all the crap I have to do today!
OMG…your poor daughter, all she wanted was pretty rocks. That is just crazy and scary.
have a great vacation babe!
Thanks, Karen! And make sure you read my post next Monday – you’ll like it 😉