Memorable experiences going through airport security?

[Mattg]

Security at IST tried to confiscate a padlock from me yesterday.

That padlock has been in my carry-on for hundreds of flights and I've never once been questioned about it before.

When the lady tried to take it, I asked why and was just told "not allowed". I told her repeatedly that I don't understand why it's not allowed, eventually she went to talk to a colleague and asked where I'm flying to. After checking my boarding pass and talking to said colleague, I was allowed to keep it. One of the most bizarre interactions I've ever had with airport security.

This was after the lady had removed every single item from every pocket of my backpack, opened up unopened packs of earplugs, etc.

 

[Himeno]

Every airport I've been through has told me to have any batteries in my carry on.
Except AMM, which forced me to put the batteries (AAAs) into my checked bag at the checkpoint to enter the check in area.

 

[yachty]

In the end I decided not to. I figured that there would be a chance that the 'higher ups' would close ranks and I'd end up on a list that I didn't want to be on. Whilst at the same time, if he pulled that cough with me, he'd likely do so with other and sooner or later he'd meet his dues.

I've lodged complaints before about security staff at an Australian airport, if there were any listing involved after the fact it hasn't hampered me. But it was somewhat more egregious than your example (loud name-calling of passengers, in quite derogatory terms). The staff member remained around at least until COVID but I never saw him doing it again...

 

[kevviek]

Long story I’ll try to keep short. Landed in LA, connecting flight to Vegas was delayed so we decided to hire a Mustang and drive. Just so happened a long weekend sale was on and the subwoofer I wanted for my VW at home was available at a dealer we were driving past.
This speaker fits in the spare wheel well and comes in a big box.
One week later I arrive at Las Vegas airport home bound to AU with not a lot of spare time. Go to check in the box and was asked what was in it, I said a speaker and she says no sir, no magnets allowed on the plane. This was a big box but a little speaker. News to me so I looked up the regs, made sure it was under permitted size, and tried checking in at a different counter. The lady saw me, ran across and said no way was I getting on the plane. After some debate I asked for a supervisor, was told no, she had decided and that was it.
I couldn’t leave the box there, so I went to another counter and asked for a supervisor. Ended up getting an engineer, opening the box and dismantling the contents whilst in the check in area so he could see the size of the magnet. It was within spec, so green light and my luggage was checked in. The lady was *not* happy.
And I’m so glad, the car audio sounds so much better now!

 

[kiwitripper64]

I went through AKL last month and the person in front had their AAA batteries confiscated because they were loose, not in their package. Where to start on that stupidity?

 

[Ade]

unopened packs of earplugs,

Makes me wonder is the agent is new to the job. I had someone like that at CBR (Domestic) and SYD (International). Wanted me to open packs ear plugs, ear buds etc. Even had the ear bud check in LKO (Lucknow, India). And in all these 3 instances, the agent conducting the search was new/in-training.