US immigration let her through despite scissors

UNLIKE the sales executive whose family missed their flight to Australia recently because she mentioned the word 'bomb' to her daughter during a security check at Changi Airport's Budget Terminal, I had a different encounter in the United States.

My husband and I and our then two-year-old son were holidaying in the US in 2004. Though our son was on solid food, the food had to be cut into bite size to facilitate chewing. For that reason, we took along a pair of round-ended scissors wherever we travelled.

When we were flying back from San Francisco, I forgot to put the scissors in our check-in luggage. When we were clearing US immigration the scissors were detected in my hand-carried luggage by the scanning machine. The officer whisked me aside discreetly. I explained that the scissors were meant for cutting food for my son. We were soon joined by my husband and son. The officer glanced at our son and told us that though she understood why we had with us a pair of scissors, such instruments were not allowed on board the plane. However, as the scissors were round-ended, she let us through - together with the scissors - after reminding me to remember to remove all banned items before boarding another plane.

I could not thank her enough for her kindness and understanding.

In the wake of the recent incident over the 'bomb' remark, I shudder to think what would have happened if my scissors incident had taken place here.

Thanks to the immigration officer who exercised discretion, I have a high opinion of US security measures.

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SCARY THOUGHT

I shudder to think what would have happened if the scissors incident had taken place here.