this is not my imagination, I fly about once a month (domestic) I'm a lazy b@stard so I don't shave all that often, but I've found that if I'm clean shaven, I walk thru airport security like ***** thru a goose.

But If I look the least bit 'bearded' I get stopped. Well right now I've got about 1 months worth of growth on my face. I'm flying to san fran on the march 7th. I'm NOT gonna shave, and I'll bet any nonbelievers a donut that I get flagged over to the 'possible/probable terrorist' lane.

About me: 6'3" 220lb-brown hair/green eyes/well-dressed-Irish descent, non-scary, non-terrorist. (single-hetero for any lady readers)

I'll report back on the 8th... (assuming I make it thru security)

__________________
Cheers,
Robert

One of my partners is a 55 year old naturalized American citizen born in Iran, he wears a beard and looks like an apprentice mullah when he's having a bad day. He also has a passport with a lot of stamps from Iran (visiting family), Kuwait, and Dubai (business). In the last four years he's never been stopped at an airport, including extensive domestic flying in late 2001 and 2002. On the other hand my boss at Paribas in the early '90s (before significant perception of terrorist threat), who was a tall, clean-shaven Frenchman, would have his bags searched over 50% of the time, while I never did. I don't know what the triggers are, but I'd hate to be flashing them on a regular basis. Good luck!

__________________
81 300SD
08 MDX Tech
93 525i

05 F650GS

I look like . I never get searched.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

No beard have I
Tho' searched most times I fly.
I don't know why.
Just makes me sigh,
and that ain't no lie.

Bot

6'4" tall, 225 lb., full beard, realtively long hair.

Can easily be targeted as a terrorist if the government is using a "profile" based upon looks.

Travel via airplane approx. 15 times per year.

Never stopped and searched unless the bag has too much metal inside. I typically carry a bunch of screws, metal parts, tape measure, vernier, etc. They don't like that one bit and typically do a thorough search of the bag.

However, provided that I remove the belt buckle (never pass with it on), there is no search of my person.

The theory holds no water.

slacker am I
not a terrorist in the sky

Bloody marys are my vice
Not remote control explosive device

Its just a cell phone
Please leave my anus alone

Let me thru your security line
I'm really the finest kind. (I'm white dammit!)

__________________
Cheers,
Robert

MUCH better than mine! I'm going to have a beer in your honor.

I'm no poet, but you inspired me.

__________________
Cheers,
Robert

Nah, but it's clear that you're worth a cold beer and a hearty cheer.

Want to guarantee a search--buy a one way ticket.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

...........with cash........

Weeth an ou-traageous French accint!

Last time i was at an airport, I asked my sisters friend if she took the bomb out of her bag this time... She looked at me like she just crapped a brick, and said "you cant say that in an aiport"

I laughed, I think its funny
~Nate

__________________
95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

.........tell you what........give that a whirl when you are within earshot of the TSA personnel...........the one's right near the scanners..........tell us how you make out...........


.........then we all can have a good laugh...........

Nate, I have a colleague (PhD, middle-aged, 3 kids, etc) who made a bomb joke overheard by sky marshals pre-9/11. They kept him locked-up in an interrogation room for 5-6 hours while they did a background check on him. He missed his flight and his delayed ticket wasn't honored by the airline and his employer told him it was his fault, deal with it.

Real funny joke. Sky marshals love a smart-ass.

B