An airport security screener has revealed why they stare at a certain area when passengers make their way through.
It's the season of travel (when isn't it, realistically?), as summer has well and truly arrived. Isn't it bizarre how the sun finally comes out in the UK and people choose to go overseas?
Regardless, airports will be full to the brim with people seeking some overseas culture and sunshine, with airport staff bracing themselves for long days of telling people that they can't bring their hand lotion on board.
It's a strenuous task, but while many may be afraid of being stopped and searched by security, a screener has shared how it's really like in their line of work, on Reddit of all places. Because why not?
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In an 'Ask Me Anything' thread on the social media site, the Redditor explained that they worked at Sydney Airport to 'screen passengers and bags before flights', at both International and Domestic Terminals.
"Keep in mind I work to screen carry-on Baggage only, not check in baggage, and also the passengers themselves," they explained, as well as reminding users that security measures may differ from country to country.
Diving straight in, one user asked: "Why do you look at our crotch when walking through the scanner?"
Travellers have long realised that security pay extra attention to that area, with both their eyes and their metal detectors.
In a candid answer, the original poster wrote: "Usually because we are trying to discern if you have anything in your pockets which will set off the body scanners, or check if you're wearing a belt and what kind of belt you're wearing."
It's really that simple, and it makes sense as you're always told to take off your belt before walking through the scanner.
Believe it or not, metal sets those things off.
Admitting that they mostly confiscate liquids, aerosols and gases from bags due to substances over 100ml being prohibited on international flights, they also said that they had never found drugs in anyone's bag.
"I've never seen any but regardless we do not care for drugs," they said, even saying they can 'take all the drugs you want' out of the country as they aren't trained to look for these, though you will be arrested if you are caught with them.
Someone else asked: "What’s the strangest thing you found in someone’s Carry on bag?"
It turns out that the answer here is sex toys.
"Mostly female sex toys, dildos, vibrators, other sex toys such as fluffy handcuffs which any kind of handcuffs is a no go on a flight," they added.
While passengers are allowed to carry these onboard, they are often checked as they 'often can appear to look like what an explosive device would look like'.
The screener also admitted that finding the ashes of a dead person isn't uncommon, as family often look to scatter them at a certain location.
Joshua Nair