www.CostaRicaTicas.com

As I'm waiting to board my flight home last night, I hear my name over the PA system... "will passanger (XXXX) please report to gate 4".

Okay, I'm thinking please let there be no room on this flight for me and I HAVE TO STAY IN SJ ANIOTHER DAY (and get a voucher from TACA). But unfortunately, I needed to go downstairs (escorted by security like a possible terrorist) to the basement where they x-ray luggage (interesting experience) and open my suitcase for the screener. There were no locks on my suitcase since the TSA idiots cut them off (even though they were TSA locks) on the flight in, yet they didn't want to open my suitcase themselves until I was there.

The problem was my poker chips that I bring down for the tourneys. They are in a metal case and I could see how it could look suspicious on an x-ray. This is the first time I've been hassled over it in the 3 trips I've taken them on. I bring them down because they are high-quality chips, not the plastic or even the cheap clay ones. These are relatively expensive NexGen chips that I customized and feel almost like real casino chips.

Man, I'm starting to feel the depression. But it gets better with each trip. The first couple of trips were bad, not it's not too bad.

Those of you who are still there, PURA VIDA!!!

Well.....at least it's good to know they're doing their job.

I have to agree Juice. It is good to know they are doing their jobs.

But the Voucher would have been sweet. Glad you had a good safe trip. Did you see your sweetie?

_________________
Take a walk on the wild side.

redman

ever read Orange's tagline?

RHM

I have not left CR for over a year so perhaps things have changed at the airport. They use to hand search your checked baggage in front of the ticket counter check-in. Are they still doing this and then also xray your bag or have they discontinued the hand search?

I was always concerned with the hand search because I noted that when the lines get long they let people check in bags without searching them. Glad to hear that they xray them before loading on the aircraft.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

They still do the hand searching, but for some reason those of us going to NY were directed to go to the other line where they don't search. Only the LA people were searched. I don't trust them either.

I hope I wasn't misunderstood with my post. I wasn't angry with them checking suspicious bags. I was just annoyed that they made me go down with security like a criminal to open my suitcase when they could have easily done it themselves. But I guess they aren't allowed to open luggage unless the person is present, to prevent allegations of theft, etc.

I too am glad they are not sleeping on the job like some of our fine TSA employees have been known to do.

Orange,
I don't think they were worried about allegations of theft, they were probably more concerned about it being an explosive device.

Did they hide while you opened the box?

They were prabably interested in seeing how Orange would react to being confronted.....body language, attitude, etc. It gives them a better idea as to what they are up against.

Zebra

Orange,
Did they at least give you the pleasure of a 'full-body-cavity-search' ?!??!?

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Orange;
Did I ever mention to you that I lived in LA for almost 30 years. This was before I moved to Vegas for 8 before moving here.
Just a thought.
LVSteve

_________________
Just an old horney, fat gambler.

ID,

Yes, they still do a hand search of your checked luggage. You place your bag on a table in front of the check-in counter and they search it. My last trip, my bag was searched by a cute little Tica. I was waiting for her to come across my viagra and condoms and to make a comment, at which point I was going to ask her if she'd like to try them out. On second thought, I figured that might not be a good idea.

Zebra

There are 2 lines for TACA. The lady directs you where to go. The left line has no checkers and leads directly to the counter and the right has checking tables before you get to the counter.

I was directed to go to the left line. I've had my suitcase checked all 3 prior trips.

Dont feel to bad Orange. I can't go to any US or Canadian airports without being pulled aside and being questioned.

For whatever reason I get the ol yellow light. Maybe its because I tell them Im visiting girlfriends everytime I go through Have to think up some reason to have the huge condom stash!

Ive never been called on the speaker before though.

MG,
Sorry to disappoint you, no cavity search.

They didn't hide, but they didn't get too close.

Yo Wit,
How did we not run into each other this weekend? Well, I was away for 3 days, so I guess that's why. Duh, my bad.