And just in case anyone is wondering, if you pack a booster seat in your carry-on, security is going to unpack your bag trying to figure what on earth could be in there after they x-ray it.
Years ago when I was still jump seating between Texas and Alaska, I had an old antique looking candy can in my carry on. It was about 6 ounce size with an old and faded patina to it. When shaken, not stirred, it had an ominous rattle to it.
While going through security in Minneapolis or Seattle, the 117 year old TSA person looked at the can, shook it a couple times, then took the cap off of it to discover a 2 foot cloth covered spring snake that flys out of the can.
She screeched, dropped the can, backed up several, several steps and almost fell over the rest of the team that was busily trying to look important while not doing anything.
This attracted the attention of the police officers that were also busily trying to look important while not doing anything. (before TSA critters could wear their shiny badge) A crowd gathered while one of the police persons inspected the can, lid and cloth covered snake.
Then he mustered up the most stern look on his face that he could come up with, and tersely asked, ''Why are you carrying this in your bag?''
I leaned forward, putting weight on my knuckles while leaning on the table and mustering up the most stern look I could muster and said, ''Because I'm a pilot.''
Mr. Policeman leaned forward, squinted his eyes, possibly to read my company ID hangin' around my neck, and stared for more than a few seconds. I am thinking to myself, I hope they feed me while I am being detained.
He dropped everything in my bag, roughly slamming the front cover closed and not zipping it, then shoved it down the line.
I grabbed my bag, zipped it closed, shoved my feet into my shoes and walked away thinking....''Man, I gotta quit carrying that thing....''
