Keys in LAX security

Recently flew LAX - LHR (lovely flight, thanks VS) and when going through security in LAX, the security guys got extremely excited about my keys in my hand luggage. They decided to completely unpack my bags and do a very thorough search of me and then inform me that my keys were a security risk (now - I am as security concious as the next guy, but I hardly think that the key to a VW Polo can constitue a risk to National Security - unless they dont like VW's!). This went on for about 20 minutes and I practically had to bribe them not to confiscate the keys as otherwise I would have been very stuck at LHR! Has anyone else had this problem?

[Nottingham Nick]

Did they say what it was about the keys that they were concerned about?
Was it the keys themselves or was there an electronic opener attached?

I have never had a problem, my car keys are always in my rucksack and they go through the scanner okay. [?]

Nick

Bad day for the security staff?

[HighFlyer]

I'd also be interested to hear the reasoning behind this. It must have been either a bad day or the key fob or something. The vast majority of us are going to have keys of some sort in our hand luggage when travelling so this must have been a weird exception, surely?.

Thanks,
Sarah

Nope - not even an electronic controller (I know, I know - old car!). They were really unfriendly (shock horror for LAX security!!) - and even went as far as telling me I could potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft with the keys. Maybe it was a bad day for them - but if they had managed to confiscate the keys - it would have been a FAR worse day for me back in UK - and they didnt care one jot.

Originally posted by musicmanbrain
... maybe it was a bad day for them - but if they had managed to confiscate the keys - it would have been a FAR worse day for me back in UK - and they didnt care one jot.

TSA megalomania!

I think you were extremely unlucky. This guard must have had a common sense bypass.[:D]

[Scrooge]

Well I flew out of LAS yesterday with my keys in my carry on, no issues with TSA, I guess you just got lucky and managed to find the Goodwill exchange officer.Please remember you always have the right to ask for a supervisor, maybe they can see the logic of having the keys in the bag rather than in your pocket.

Originally posted by Scrooge
Well I flew out of LAS yesterday with my keys in my carry on, no issues with TSA, I guess you just got lucky and managed to find the Goodwill exchange officer.Please remember you always have the right to ask for a supervisor, maybe they can see the logic of having the keys in the bag rather than in your pocket.

Gee its a brave man that tells the TSA guy he wants his boss. I would be scared I would end up in an Orange boiler suit if I did!

they could be newbies and you were just picked by random to be 'processed' by them.

Just being looking at the TSA website and there is nothing about keys being special. [:?][:?]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/simplifly.shtm

The headline on the traveller homepage has a link to a story about an officer making a unique discovery in groin of passenger. [:w][:w]

Originally posted by DarkAuror

Just being looking at the TSA website and there is nothing about keys being special. [:?][:?]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/simplifly.shtm

It actually TELLS you to pack your keys in your carry on!!

Originally posted by willd

Originally posted by Scrooge
Well I flew out of LAS yesterday with my keys in my carry on, no issues with TSA, I guess you just got lucky and managed to find the Goodwill exchange officer.Please remember you always have the right to ask for a supervisor, maybe they can see the logic of having the keys in the bag rather than in your pocket.

Gee its a brave man that tells the TSA guy he wants his boss. I would be scared I would end up in an Orange boiler suit if I did!

Not always. I caused a kerffufle at Newark as I'd got some optrex in my carry on (had forgotten about it) as I was having some eye issues.

The TSA bod starting getting all confused and hot under the collar, refusing to believe that it was a genuine mistake and wanting me to throw it. I noticed a Supervisor in the background and beckoned him over. A quick courteous exchange, and I was on my way with a bottle of eye wash!

Originally posted by Juliet

Originally posted by DarkAuror

Just being looking at the TSA website and there is nothing about keys being special. [:?][:?]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/simplifly.shtm

It actually TELLS you to pack your keys in your carry on!!

Which is what the op did, he put them in his hand luggage, which i understand to be carry on.

.... they always were in my hand luggage! I guess it was simply one of those days with a bad TSA guy - but had I not been extremely insistant, it would have been a nightmare for me as my car aint gonna start without the key!

Originally posted by musicmanbrain
.... they always were in my hand luggage! I guess it was simply one of those days with a bad TSA guy - but had I not been extremely insistant, it would have been a nightmare for me as my car aint gonna start without the key!

Good for you! [oo][oo]