Airport Hassles

[Beach-bum]

I just hugged the lady frisking me. She laughed and I told her I didn’t want to leave Jamaica anyway.

Life is good

[beachsam]

The same thing has happened to my husband when leaving, he is always stopped at the jetway boarding the plane, he is not the best of travellers when leaving and with his attitude and the unfriendly attitude of the security has made some tense moments. I decided the last time to just take his carry on from him and let them stop me if necesary, so far this has worked. I make him proceed to the plane and I deal with the security.
As much as I love Jamaica, it really bothers me that the last thing I remember from our trip are the unfriendly security women as we depart, and I have tried the killing them with kindness, catching more bee's with honey, and jokes, and it has made no difference. Maybe when they were training for the job they were told they had to act this way, please someone tell them you can take your job very seriously, but still have a positive attitude.
I really hate thinking about this part of the upcoming trip we have in less then 2 weeks.

[jhs]

I just hugged the lady frisking me. She laughed and I told her I didn’t want to leave Jamaica anyway.

Life is good

BeachBum - Thanks for that. I had a very boring morning up until I read that. Had me in stitches! My wouldn't that be funny if you started something...!

[rjammin]

In 7 trips to Jamaica in as many years, we too have found security to be very tight on all of our trips. Unfortunately, most have been less than pleasant with very rude security agents. On most trips our carry-ons were checked a second time just prior to boarding. Back in 2003 they even emptied everyones checked luggage before they would take it. That made for a lot of angry and embarrassed people. Nothing like throwing your personal items out for everyone else to see. Needless to say, the plane left over an hour late. We figured that this was an isolated instance and they must have been looking for something. Although agitated like everyone else, I felt a little safer getting on that plane. One of the worst times was when a female security guard was going through my carry-on a few years back. I had removed a couple of 35MM disposable underwater cameras and politely asked her to hand check them rather than risk loosing the pictures if they were x-ray'd. She asked me what the item was. I told her it was a camera. She then asked me how I knew it was a camera. I smiled thinking she was joking and showed her the little wheel for advancing the film, the viewfinder etc. She then asked me again...and again... and again. She repeated it at least 10 times all the while very serious. I stood there speechless not having a clue what she wanted from me. I had at least 8-10 people in line behind me explain to her what the hell a disposable camera was. This was surely an item that this person saw at least 50 times a day. She finally hand checked them and handed them over to me. I still can't figure out what that was all about.

[Redsoxnation]

We left Montego Bay Airport Friday. I got patted down but my husband didn't. She asked if I minded I said no and was on my way. Rather they be safe than sorry.

[FlynnStone]

We just returned from MoBay airport. We had two bags searched, I was wanded and patted down (I am female), my husband went through without issue. As we waited in the terminal, the adorable little dog came by sniffing all the bags. Apparently you are ok unless he decides to sit next to you.

Even though MoBay was a slight hassle, it was NOTHING compared to the security we faced in Zurich airport 2 months ago. We went through four checkpoints, showing our passports at each one, had to have our carry-ons searched twice (at the second one, everyone had theirs searched, not just a select few). It took 3 hours to get from the airport entrance to our plane.

As someone said earlier, this is not just Jamaica. It is the world we are living in now....

[kazd]

Hmm I am tempted to put lots of naughty things in my luggage. By that I mean battery operated!!!!!!!!

Who will be more embarrassed. - Yes, probably me.

[acranger]

But I must warn you, especially gentlemen. When you depart Montego Bay airport, be prepared to be searched and then searched again.

...And I thought it was just my sexy self!! As we went through the 1st check, the lady said; "You have been selected (Oh boy, I won a return trip!!) for an additional search". WHAT?? All these young guys, and you pick a fat old man??

[lmctravel]

We returned October 14th and my husband was stopped and searched by a female security guard. She asked him if it was okay to search him and he said Sure!. it took less than a minute and we were on our way again. At the gate, we did not get searched and we had a lap top, pocketbook and carry on that was full with coats (we live in New England). I don't know why some of us are searched and others are not...

[jon1963]

They are looking for drugs and other items that should not be on the plane.

This is standard practice when flying to the USA from other Countries.