It’s time for another “And the conversation went”
The following customer is hugely pregnant and obviously smokes because cigarettes and a lighter were in her purse. She also smelled as if she had just recently lit up. Not that it matters but it helps knowing a little background.
Mag operator: “Female additional, no alarm”
Me: “Hello, ma’am, you have been selected for additional screening. Have you ever done this process before?”
customer: “No, I am just picking up a friend. I’m not getting on the plane”
Me: “Let me explain what we are going to do. I’m going to give you a limited patdown of your arms, sides, stomach, back and legs. We do the patdowns right here out in the open. Do you want a more private screening?
customer: “NO, what ever”
Me: “and then I’m going to run a quick test on your purse and shoes. “
customer: “OK”
Me: {the passenger was given a quick patdown} There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
customer: {doesn’t seem traumatized by the experience} “Nope”
Me: {looks into the passenger’s purse and finds a lighter} “I’m sorry ma’am but you can’t take this lighter into the checkpoint”
customer: {suddenly, irrate and not happy} “Why not? I’m not getting on the plane. I’m just picking up my friend.”
Me: {attempting to be polite} “I’m sorry but lighters are not allowed. Would you like me to walk you back out of the checkpoint so that you can put the lighter in your car or hand it off to someone else?”
customer: {more mad} “NO!! There is no one here with me. It’s a long walk back to my car….”
Me: {still practicing patience} “The lighter is not allowed in the checkpoint. You can surrender the lighter to me or go back out and put the lighter in your car”
customer: {yelling} “this is degrading…It’s a f*cking lighter…not a gun!!!! I am being harrassed. “
Me: {was going to call supervisor but he was already standing behind me}
Supervisor: {very stern} “Ma’am if you don’t calm down. I’m having you escorted out of the checkpoint. THE LIGHTER IS PROHIBITED!”
customer: {calm but still irritated} ” Fine, keep the….lighter…I just want to pick-up my friend and get out of this place…Can you hold the lighter for me until I get my friend?”
Supervisor and Me: {in unison} “NO!”