A Tree Falling in the Forest

This week I traveled to Philadelphia for a work related trip. It was the first time I had flown anywhere in more than a year. The screening process that used to be a minor inconvenience has become an outright hassle.

Leaving Richmond was bad enough: I had to take off my shoes, my coat, my jacket and place it all on the belt. Next I had to take my laptop out of its case and place both on the belt. Then my carry on bag had to go on the belt with my toiletry items, which I had put in a clear Ziploc bag, removed and placed on the belt separately. Finally, my cell phone, watch and keys… on the belt. After I cleared the mag, I had to put everything back together. I was a little annoyed, but not too bad, the TSA staff was gracious and efficient.

But, leaving Philadelphia was a bit more ridiculous. After completing all the aforementioned steps, I was told my Ziploc bag was too big. “Too big?!?” I asked. “Too big, it shouldn’t be more than one quart,” I was told. Why it matters what size my Ziploc bag is is beyond my cognitive ability to comprehend. The “helpful,” albeit somewhat terse, TSA agent disappeared for a moment and returned with a new quart sized Ziploc bag for my use. But my toothpaste was deemed to be too large. It would not be making the return trip to Richmond. Too bad, it was a nearly new tube. A fitting end to trip to a city that has so few redeeming qualities.