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Outside of the US, every time I go through airport security I am always "randomly" searched. "Sir, this is just a random search, we do this all the time" - I mu

by bArray 6y ago

Outside of the US, every time I go through airport security I am always "randomly" searched. "Sir, this is just a random search, we do this all the time" - I must be incredibly unlucky. Strangely, when I shave I get through fine.

hnarn 6y ago
This might sound cynical but in that case I'd just shave before every flight. It's the same reason I always fly in a shirt when on business, it's one of many markers that makes you look like a business flyer, which will mean you're probably gonna be treated more like one. In my opinion, we can accept that reality is very severely non-optimal while still trying our best to avoid the problems that reality causes. Or in the words of Hunter S. Thompson (maybe misattributed): 'Pray to God, but row away from the rocks.'
- bArray 6y ago
  Anecdote: A student and their professor were flying abroad to present at a conference, where the student was presenting and the professor was there to network. As such, the student was suited and booted to present later that day. A flight attendant approaches the student in economy class and offers them a free upgrade, presumably because he is perceived to be of an important profession. Completely ignoring the ridiculously qualified, well-traveled, multiple language speaking, highly cited professor. They were quite salty but it made for a good story over some beers!
- viklove 6y ago
  I like my beard though, and I'm not bending over backwards to conform to some security agent's bigoted views. Fuck 'em. My mom called me frantically when I was in college once and told me to shave my beard because she didn't want me to be targeted (I'm brown) -- I didn't do it then, and I'm sure as hell not doing it now.
DrinkWater 6y ago
> Strangely, when I shave I get through fine. You forgot about wearing glasses. For some reason Airport security sees no danger in people wearing glasses. Shaving, wearing bland clothes and glasses (fake, because my vision is fine) are part of my travel strategy. And i am not joking.
- bArray 6y ago
  It's insane, but I know you're correct. I think the more of a "frequent flyer" you look, the less you are bothered by security.

by bArray 6y ago

hnarn 6y ago

This might sound cynical but in that case I'd just shave before every flight. It's the same reason I always fly in a shirt when on business, it's one of many markers that makes you look like a business flyer, which will mean you're probably gonna be treated more like one. In my opinion, we can accept that reality is very severely non-optimal while still trying our best to avoid the problems that reality causes. Or in the words of Hunter S. Thompson (maybe misattributed): 'Pray to God, but row away from the rocks.'

bArray 6y ago
Anecdote: A student and their professor were flying abroad to present at a conference, where the student was presenting and the professor was there to network. As such, the student was suited and booted to present later that day. A flight attendant approaches the student in economy class and offers them a free upgrade, presumably because he is perceived to be of an important profession. Completely ignoring the ridiculously qualified, well-traveled, multiple language speaking, highly cited professor. They were quite salty but it made for a good story over some beers!
viklove 6y ago
I like my beard though, and I'm not bending over backwards to conform to some security agent's bigoted views. Fuck 'em. My mom called me frantically when I was in college once and told me to shave my beard because she didn't want me to be targeted (I'm brown) -- I didn't do it then, and I'm sure as hell not doing it now.

DrinkWater 6y ago

> Strangely, when I shave I get through fine. You forgot about wearing glasses. For some reason Airport security sees no danger in people wearing glasses. Shaving, wearing bland clothes and glasses (fake, because my vision is fine) are part of my travel strategy. And i am not joking.

bArray 6y ago
It's insane, but I know you're correct. I think the more of a "frequent flyer" you look, the less you are bothered by security.