I think it's tougher for international traveling. Just a few issues that have happened to me (on a side note: of course, being mixed-race and ethnic has not helped as there is absolute blatant racial profiling, and I get stopped every time. My DBF has even put together photos of our flying misadventures with pictures of me being constantly searched)
1.) Had my TWEEZERS and eyebrow scissors (curved tip) confiscated and tossed. WTF?
2.) Had my Asthma inhaler held and had to show not only the prescription on the bottle, but had to prove it was recent (WTF x2?)
3.) Even though I removed my metal-detailed belt (metal grommets - not even spikes) before going through the walk-by, I had to step aside, have them scan my boots separately again (no metal), and I had to be scanned - not once - but TWICE, by two different agents; Had my carry-on be opened and had everything removed - in front of everyone. I had to re-pack in 1 minute.
4.) Had my studded shoes be temporarily confiscated by an agent while I sat in the "holding area" (Heathrow)
5.) Packed a studded belt in carry-on; Again, had to unpack and re-pack in front of agents
6.) ALWAYS get picked during these "random" searches..ALWAYS. Whoever denies racial profiling is in denial. Those who know my real name here will note the irony.

Unfortunately, because of security right now, international travel has become so much of a ridiculous hassle and time-consuming event, that I refrain from ANYTHING studded (metal or otherwise lest I highjack a plane with my studded piggies). Almost missing the last day's flight to China over this BS was the last straw.

I don't think Mexico/Canada travels and within the US are issues (Vegas and Texas flights have been no-problem at all), but int'l may be an issue - esp if you are a person of color / look "ethnic."

Also - those clear travel plastic "space bags?" - best thing ever *packs super-fast now*.

^I'm so sorry they keep targeting you Beanie!

Aww - thank you,Jancedtif

Take the good with the bad though - I learned me some super-fast re-packing skills.

TSA will not defeat me!

Beanie that's awful! Thank you though for the info, even though it's just Mexico it's still international, customs, etc., so I don't want any extra hassle. I guess my studded babies will stay home where it is safe next week.

Originally Posted by Beaniebeans

I think it's tougher for international traveling. Just a few issues that have happened to me (on a side note: of course, being mixed-race and ethnic has not helped as there is absolute blatant racial profiling, and I get stopped every time. My DBF has even put together photos of our flying misadventures with pictures of me being constantly searched) 1.) Had my TWEEZERS and eyebrow scissors (curved tip) confiscated and tossed. WTF? 2.) Had my Asthma inhaler held and had to show not only the prescription on the bottle, but had to prove it was recent (WTF x2?) 3.) Even though I removed my metal-detailed belt (metal grommets - not even spikes) before going through the walk-by, I had to step aside, have them scan my boots separately again (no metal), and I had to be scanned - not once - but TWICE, by two different agents; Had my carry-on be opened and had everything removed - in front of everyone. I had to re-pack in 1 minute. 4.) Had my studded shoes be temporarily confiscated by an agent while I sat in the "holding area" (Heathrow) 5.) Packed a studded belt in carry-on; Again, had to unpack and re-pack in front of agents 6.) ALWAYS get picked during these "random" searches..ALWAYS. Whoever denies racial profiling is in denial. Those who know my real name here will note the irony. Unfortunately, because of security right now, international travel has become so much of a ridiculous hassle and time-consuming event, that I refrain from ANYTHING studded (metal or otherwise lest I highjack a plane with my studded piggies). Almost missing the last day's flight to China over this BS was the last straw. I don't think Mexico/Canada travels and within the US are issues (Vegas and Texas flights have been no-problem at all), but int'l may be an issue - esp if you are a person of color / look "ethnic." Also - those clear travel plastic "space bags?" - best thing ever *packs super-fast now*.

How absolutely horrible!!

I work for the airlines, the TSA will not confiscate your studded CLs. They are mostly searching for very dangerous weapons or explosive components that can be used to take over and/or bring down an aircraft. If anything, the TSA might rescan or perform a residue wipe test on your shoes, simply to make sure there is nothing in the studs.

If still in doubt, your can always contact the TSA and inquire more detailed information . You can call or check their website before travelling.

beanie, I'm sorry for all the hassle you had to deal with to get through security. I'm surprised they confiscated your tweezers, I travel with my tweezers all the time and they have not been confiscated. As a matter of fact, some flight attendants travel with round tip scissor to use for work and they are never confiscated.

^^My confiscated tweezers were the pointy-tipped ones - don't know if that had anything to do with it, but my eyebrow scissors were curved. This was on an international flight to India.

At Heathrow (heading back to Los Angeles), I was asked to remove my shoes and hand them over. I asked if I would get them back, and they said I would, but to please sit down (@ a waiting/holding area). I was there for a good hour and a half.

Because of my job, I had to do a lot of overseas traveling, so I am always checking the TSA site to make sure I follow all rules - especially as I would sometimes travel with co-workers (and this delays them as well). Unfortunately, this has happened to me more often than not in my overseas travels. I understand TSA agent's jobs, but I also think that at times, things are taken a little far.

EIther way, I never missed a flight :)

I sympathize with you, Beanie. It gets really frustrating to get singled out so often.

As it is, I don't understand why a middle aged female who looks like me, has been a police officer, has a concealed handgun license and finger printed to the Nth degree gets selected for extra security screening almost every time I fly. I am very careful what I carry on, too. This last trip, I had no shoes or clothing in my carry on bag (Christmas presents for son). My Dior boots were in my suitcase and the airline misplaced that for 5 1/2 days. I seem to be da**ed if I do and da**ed if I don't, if you know what I mean. My spikes will be staying home, for sure.

Hey ladies...I read this question and called one of my BFFs who works for the TSA. She said that you can check the shoes, wear them, or carry them in your carry-on, and you shouldn't have any problems with them being confiscated or anything. She did mention that it may be better if you just wore them; if you put them in your carry-on or check them in your suitcase, they are gonna have to rummage through your things, as the shoes will come up as metal on the X-ray.

Originally Posted by BattyBugs

I sympathize with you, Beanie. It gets really frustrating to get singled out so often. As it is, I don't understand why a middle aged female who looks like me, has been a police officer, has a concealed handgun license and finger printed to the Nth degree gets selected for extra security screening almost every time I fly. I am very careful what I carry on, too. This last trip, I had no shoes or clothing in my carry on bag (Christmas presents for son). My Dior boots were in my suitcase and the airline misplaced that for 5 1/2 days. I seem to be da**ed if I do and da**ed if I don't, if you know what I mean. My spikes will be staying home, for sure.

It is nothing personal towards you, that is why it is called "random" security checks. I think people should spend less time criticizing the TSA for doing their job and have some patience. After all, this is all for our safety and security. Heaven forbid, if we were to have another aircraft taken over by terrorists and be use as a weapon of mass destruction.

Originally Posted by karwood

It is nothing personal towards you, that is why it is called "random" security checks. I think people should spend less time criticizing the TSA for doing their job and have some patience. After all, this is all for our safety and security. Heaven forbid, if we were to have another aircraft taken over by terrorists and be use as a weapon of mass destruction.

You know what... good point!
This is just a situation we're all in at the moment. I do understand as I do come from a military family (4th gen Marines), and if it weren't for some Airport intel, we'd be in a worse situation.

At the same time, I can't help but feel frustrated about what constantly happens, and being someone who was traveling overseas every other month for 2 straight years...it just gets exhausting - esp when there's a 13 - 26hr flight happening. Just venting :(

Having been a cop and then a dispatcher for so many years, I understand the need for security. I'd just like to see it more evenly applied. I'm all for giving everyone extra security screening, even to the point of making everyone stand in the screener that turns around you. At least that way I'd know that while they were practically stripping me, someone else didn't walk through security without being screened hardly at all (I have personally seen this happen). I'd feel better knowing that everyone on my plane had been thoroughly checked.

Originally Posted by Beaniebeans

At Heathrow (heading back to Los Angeles), I was asked to remove my shoes and hand them over. I asked if I would get them back, and they said I would, but to please sit down (@ a waiting/holding area). I was there for a good hour and a half.

It is not uncommon to remove your shoes at Heathrow.
Every flight I've had out of there in the past couple of years pretty much everyone has had to remove shoes and have them scanned... although through typical security and not a waiting/holding area.
Sorry about your bad experience at Heathrow

Beanie/Batty-

Have either of you considered obtaining a redress number? My father, who is hispanic in his late 50s would ALWAYS get stopped at the checkpoint coming from Mexico to the US. It didn't matter if he was driving or not, if he was alone or not. He was ALWAYS pulled for "random" checks.

The breaking point was when he was pulled for a "random" check when our group was traveling by air from our wedding and we nearly missed our connection. I began the process for him at the Department of Homeland Security website and they gave him a number that he enters when he is booking all flights and also that we added as a sticker on the back of his passport for border crossings.

No more "random" checks. Although, this was done because it really was a problem where it obviously wasn't random as it was always him who was selected. I am not sure about the process, but I think there might have been a background check involved. I know it was worth it for us to add this as the situation was getting to be ridiculous for our family.

Just read this article....

http://www.nicekicks.com/2011/01/tsa...ian-louboutin/

and

http://cocoperez.com/2011-01-04-chri...rport-security