I have taken the time to check out the security regulations and to be aware of what to expect at airport security checkpoints. As a result, I can pretty much expect to go right through without a hassle, unless somebody such as the people you mention above is holding up the works. And indeed I have always gone through with no trouble. Except for those pesky shoes.

Ultimately I think we are going to find this incident boils down to poor customer service.

Most people feel that security is someone else’s problem. Most people haven’t bothered to read or inquire about what they can and cannot carry into the secure area of the airport. I spend most of my time in the checkpoint explaining why they can’t have a lighter, Swiss Army knife, loose single-edged razor blades and the like. I also spend inordinate amounts of time explaining why people have to remove certain shoes. Remember Richard Reid? He was the terrorist that attempted to blow up an airplane using explosives and fuse concealed in (yes, this is correct) a pair of sneakers. “Why do I have to take off my sneakers? They don’t have any metal in them”. Neither did Richard Reid’s sneakers. Instead of arguing about removing your shoes wasting my time and the time of other travelers waiting behind you, take off your shoes when requested to do so or you’ll be sent for additional screening increasing your time in the checkpoint.

My favorite question is, “Do I look like a terrorist??” If we knew what terrorists looked like, we could go and round all of them up and dispense with the need for further security measures at the airport. Please recall the suicide bombings committed by women, children and other people who “don’t look like terrorists”. No, we don’t think you look like a terrorist. Please divest yourself of all metallic objects, lighters, and any other item that you are not allowed to carry through the checkpoint.

Now, as to the issue at hand: the butter knife. I, as a screener, have NOT got the final say about whether or not you can carry something into the secure area. There are at least three levels of appeal close to the checkpoint you are attempting to pass through: you can ask to speak to the screener’s supervisor if you disagree with the screener’s assessment of whether your butter knife can be considered a prohibited item. If you’re still not satisfied, ask to speak to the screening manager. If you’re not happy with his thoughts or comments, ask for the terminal manager. If the woman was dissatisfied at her treatment, she should have taken this to another level. “But I would have been late for my flight”. Okay, then arrive two hours early like we tell you to do so you WILL have time to address security concerns.

There was a comment somewhere along the thread that said, “she broke the rules, she must be punished”. Again, that’s not true. We routinely confiscate prohibited items or allow passengers to leave the secure area to dispose of their item as they see fit. Sure, there are some items (such as firearms in carry-on luggage), knives (with sharp pointed blades longer than 2 3/4 inches) and pepper mace that require notification to law enforcement upon discovery. A forgotten butter knife (if that’s what she had) should have been handled by the screener or the screener’s checkpoint supervisor. READ THE PROHIBITED ITEM LIST available online and DON’T BRING THIS STUFF TO THE AIRPORT! Do you think I like taking the jacknife that your grandfather gave to your father and that he subsequently gave to you? Hell no. I try (and have at times begged) the passenger to PLEASE consider mailing it back to his home address or leaving the checkpoint and putting it in his car if possible. The last thing we want to do is take your stuff!

We’re not the stupid people you think we are. Most of us are caring, concerned individuals trying to make your experience as stress-free as possible. Just as you have rules governing the performance of your job, so do we. One of the rules is that we are bound to treat each of you with respect and discretion. If you feel you haven’t been treated that way, say something. Take names. Write a letter. That’s the only way you’re going to weed out the people who don’t understand that they’re just like you: another human being, a fellow traveler or a schoolteacher carrying a forgotten butter knife in her carryon. We all make mistakes. Schoolteachers do and screeners do. Give us a break. We’ll do our best to do the same for you.