First Page
Posted 07/02/2016 3:45 pm
Quote:
I think the TSA calls anything that provides shielding to x-ray detection technologies "heavy metals". Normally one would think lead, but the outlines of contraband could be hidden or obscured by lighter metals such as silver. In your case they were not only concerned with the rolls themselves, but also what they might be hiding.
I think the TSA calls anything that provides shielding to x-ray detection technologies "heavy metals". Normally one would think lead, but the outlines of contraband could be hidden or obscured by lighter metals such as silver. In your case they were not only concerned with the rolls themselves, but also what they might be hiding.
Thank you for the clarification. I did question their use of that term, so that helps to explain why they picked it. It makes sense why they were worried about the masses of metal the rolls represented, but it was also interesting they could hone in on silver specifically (without even looking at it).
I mentioned to them that I didn't declare the coins in part because I didn't want everyone in the security line to know I was traveling with a fair amount of cash (nor did I want to exhibit the roll of 40% silver coins publicly). The private screening helped to alleviate my concerns in that regard.
Quote:
I've always found it is best to let them know what you are transporting upfront and to ask for a private screening. It has always worked out ok for me and with minimal inconvenience.
I've always found it is best to let them know what you are transporting upfront and to ask for a private screening. It has always worked out ok for me and with minimal inconvenience.
It honestly didn't occur to me that it would be a problem, or else I would have definitely done so. But now I know for next time! Thank you, too, for the heads-up.
Quote:
He most likely flipped through your book to make sure it wasn't a hollowed out one. Many places sell books were the majority of the pages (usually save for the last and first few pages) have a large chunk cut out in the middle, the intention being to hide anything from valuables to a whiskey flask to a gun.
He most likely flipped through your book to make sure it wasn't a hollowed out one. Many places sell books were the majority of the pages (usually save for the last and first few pages) have a large chunk cut out in the middle, the intention being to hide anything from valuables to a whiskey flask to a gun.
Thanks for the picture. It was actually an extremely beat-up, taped, partially curled, relatively thin paperback book, so it would certainly have been hard for me to hide anything at all in it.
However, I would imagine regulations require them to look through all books regardless.Quote:
That's very new. Last december, I went to coin shops in Asia and bought some silver coins with my Christmas money. My silver coins were pure silver, but I didn't get caught...Any thoughts?
That's very new. Last december, I went to coin shops in Asia and bought some silver coins with my Christmas money. My silver coins were pure silver, but I didn't get caught...Any thoughts?
It definitely struck me as rather interesting- and a little worrisome, as well, since as soon as someone mentions "silver coins," everyone in the line will immediately think you're carrying a fortune in precious metals.
It should be noted, too, that I found out their machine can detect it because they asked me if I was carrying silver before they even opened the bag. So the x-ray machine is somehow able to hone in on silver's signature.
Next time, I'd be rather curious what would happen if I tried carrying through just 1 roll of silver coins, and nothing else: would they mention something about it too, or let it slide? It was quite unclear if their selection of my bag for hands-on screening was resultant from just the roll of silver coins, just the rolls of clad coins, or some combination of both of them.
Quote:
YN, I think it was more of a volume thing, he had these rolled up in coin rolls, which are cylindrical, which could have been a few things. if you were to toss some pocket change in the tray to be scanned they are expecting this, and would probably not have had such issues.
YN, I think it was more of a volume thing, he had these rolled up in coin rolls, which are cylindrical, which could have been a few things. if you were to toss some pocket change in the tray to be scanned they are expecting this, and would probably not have had such issues.
That's the odd thing: it was never really clear what exactly was the "main problem" that ultimately resulted in my bags being screened. After my one bag passed through the machine, they asked me about silver originally. However, when they took me to a room, they also mentioned they didn't usually see people traveling with as many coins as I was (relatively speaking- I only had a couple of rolls in my bag, plus the loose Eisenhower dollars). So who knows!
Quote:
I was traveling from Flint, MI back to Florida. I had gone up to the annual ritual that my family calls "Deer Camp". Don't confuse "Deer Camp" with "Deer Hunting", it doesn't work
like that. lol
We played poker and drank and ate for four straight days. I had a gallon ziplock bag full of quarters, nickel's and dimes. The TSA agent at the x-ray machine asked if I was carrying loose change in my carry on. Keep in mind, I had over $250.00 dollars in loose
change there. I answered in the affirmative and she asked where it came from. I gave
her a funny look and said other people..... She frowned, put it back in my bag and
I was on my way. For some reason, loose coin sets off alarms....
Oh well, going back in November again and will have it with me...
I was traveling from Flint, MI back to Florida. I had gone up to the annual ritual that my family calls "Deer Camp". Don't confuse "Deer Camp" with "Deer Hunting", it doesn't work
like that. lol
We played poker and drank and ate for four straight days. I had a gallon ziplock bag full of quarters, nickel's and dimes. The TSA agent at the x-ray machine asked if I was carrying loose change in my carry on. Keep in mind, I had over $250.00 dollars in loose
change there. I answered in the affirmative and she asked where it came from. I gave
her a funny look and said other people..... She frowned, put it back in my bag and
I was on my way. For some reason, loose coin sets off alarms....
Oh well, going back in November again and will have it with me...
Ha ha, so it's not just me that they honed in on! That must have been one heavy carry-on.
Quote:
I've carried rolls of halves in my carry-on bag through airport security numerous times and every time have been called aside so TSA can hand-search my carry-on. It actually makes me feel more safe to be called aside given the rolled coins undoubtedly look suspicious when viewed by x-ray.
I've carried rolls of halves in my carry-on bag through airport security numerous times and every time have been called aside so TSA can hand-search my carry-on. It actually makes me feel more safe to be called aside given the rolled coins undoubtedly look suspicious when viewed by x-ray.
Yes, that's certainly true. Maybe next time I'll try transporting them loose, and see if that works out better. I mentioned to the TSA officers that I honestly didn't foresee the coins being a problem, and that I also hoped to not advertise the existence of coins in my carry-on bag.
