Travel Tips

Travel Tip: New Questions Asked by Airport Security

Locations in this article: London, England

Since 1988, every time an American flies home from overseas, security agents at airports have asked the same three questions.

Did you pack the bags yourself?

Have they been in your possession the whole time?

Did anyone give you anything?

The answers are always yes, yes, and no.

From a security perspective, I’ve always argued the exercise was essentially meaningless, because the questions and answers were always the same.

Now the TSA has gotten the message and has decided to change things.

While well-intentioned, I still have problems with the new questions.

Recently, when I checked in to a flight from London to New York, I was asked where I worked.

Then, more specifically, I was asked what I did.

But then came a totally absurd question: what are your hobbies?

Are they serious? Is there a correct answer to that question?

Once again, these security questions are ineffective and accomplish absolutely nothing.

I thought the hobby question was so ludicrous, I answered, “knitting.” The security agent was not amused.

I was taken aside for additional screening.

I don’t know if there is a correct answer to this question, so I hope when you’re asked, you get lucky.