Armed with my pre-printed boarding pass and information from the airline’s website indicating all I needed to do to complete the check-in process I started on the Internet was print myself a baggage tag from a self-service monitor, I approached said monitor. After following the directions, it told me I was too late to check bags, and to see an agent. I argued with the agent to get my bag checked; he refused. I told him to forget it, I will carry it on, and he reminded me all liquids and gels will be confiscated.
I weighed the consequences of not showing up in time to start my seminar tomorrow with having the worst breath and hair day of my public life, and decided to take my chances with security. At the x-ray conveyor belt I kept my head down and unloaded my wares as usual, PC in a separate bin, briefcase and shoes in another, and suitcase at the end. “Think positive” I told myself, and to my incredulity security detected nothing, and sent me on my way. Just like the good old days.
I admit I experienced a last minute adrenaline-fueled rush of panic as I heard the final prohibited-liquids announcement over the gate PA system while handing my boarding pass to the agent. “We were about to close the door,” she told me, letting me pass. I had a hearty chuckle to myself once I looked over my shoulder to be sure uniformed men weren’t coming for me and my bag, and boarded the flight. For the record, here is the list of prohibited items, at least all I can remember, which are packed in that bag above my head:
- A spray bottle of liquid hair smoother
- A tube of silicone hair finishing gel
- A plastic bottle of hair straightener cream
- A spray bottle (travel size) of liquid perfume
- A travel size bottle of nail polish remover
- Nail polish
- Travel sizes of shampoo, hair gel, conditioner, body soap, body lotion, facial soap, facial lotion, facial toner (you name it, I’ve got it all in miniature)
