This past weekend I had the pleasure of flying back home from a vacation in Calif. I was traveling solo with my two toddlers -- a feat comparable to surviving many types of torture in some countries -- and had to work my way through the latest and greatest security measures as the SJC (San Jose) airport.
I made my way through the lines. First it turns out that my drivers license expired on birthday, which happened to occur while I was on vacation (yes, I am a Leo). My bad indeed. I was then labeled with “SSSS” (Special Security Screening Schmuck??) in bright red marker on my boarding ticket. Okay, I can deal with that. However, when I got through with taking my shoes off, my kids’ shoes off, breaking down our stroller and putting all our belongings on the conveyer belt -- all while holding one kid in my arms and keeping track of the other -- we then had to stand over in the special security screening area. Understandable since I wore a scarlet SSSS on my ticket. The over the top part here? After they had me patted down, they patted down my two and a half year old little girl. It just seemed so wrong. Still…I knew some sick SOB may try smuggling something on a kid so I sigh and move on.
Then they searched our things. As per the guidelines at the time, I'd been advised via an online bulletin from Delta (which I thought was pretty rockin’ that they proactively sent this to me days before my flight) that I could bring:
• Baby formula, breast milk or juice for a traveling child
• Medicine prescribed to you
• Insulin and other essential non-prescription medicines
However, I was very POed that despite the official guidelines the TSA staff at SJC, and even the supervisor they called over to handle the dispute occurring over in the C Gate, confiscated the juice and milk I had packed for my kids. They also took my diaper rash ointment, much to my chagrin since my boy had a mean rash going that definitely required ointment.
I was not looking forward to traveling for six hours without my carefully premeditated baby bag items.
I understand all these obstacles (aka precautions) are put in place to keep us safe. However, traveling with toddlers/babies is such a pain in the arse now that I’d simply rather not travel at all.
Moral of the story:
If you’re going to travel with kids and want to bring some of the allowed liquids or medications make sure you print out the latest TSA guidelines and bring it with you so they don’t fight you on it.
Phew. Sorry for long winded rant. Can you tell this was bugging me?
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