Special Security Screening at the Atlanta Airport
0 commentsMore often than not, I get selected for special security screening at
the airport. It is a small price to pay for the benefits of an emergency
exit row seat (only available by request on the day of flight).
The special security screening process is embarrassing. As a
huge black man asks me to unbuckle my belt and outstretch my arms
(thankfully not at the same time), I can't help but feel like a prisoner
for a few minutes.
The cleanup process afterwards is equally awkward. I am a one man show
putting my travel arsenal back together, cleaning up buckets of my
Humpty Dumpty metal objects. The security escort assigned to me drums
her fingers nearby. I put my belt back through the loops, slip my shoes
on and rearrange my backpack and carry-on. My wallet and cell phone sit
on the table; where else do I usually empty my pockets? Not in the
company of strangers.