Travelers considering bringing a sex toy on a flight may want to heed a recent cautionary tale involving the Transport Security Administration (TSA).
When preparing for a trip to the airport, most passengers ensure they have essentials like their passport, headphones, and perhaps a book for entertainment during the flight.
While sex toys aren’t a typical travel necessity, those who choose to pack them should be ready for a potentially awkward situation, as one traveler recently experienced.
Sharing their story on the TSA Reddit forum, an anonymous user recounted: “Ok this is mildly embarrassing but, I was on a trip a couple weeks ago in Boston to visit my boyfriend for the weekend. I brought several sex toys with me on this trip.
“Unfortunately while I was there, I lost my wallet with my ID. I had to go through the screening process on my way back, the phone call, and then the luggage swabbing.”
The traveler noted that the TSA agent was ‘taking his time’ swabbing the sex toys, which left them feeling uneasy.
They continued: “I understand he could have been totally just doing his job, but idk it seemed deliberate and invasive. Maybe this is just protocol, but it’s been nagging at me since it happened.”
If you haven’t already guessed, leaving your ID behind can lead to a thorough inspection of your belongings. This traveler learned the hard way that nothing is exempt from scrutiny, including sex toys.
Traveling within the US without an ID is never ideal. While a passport is needed for international travel, only an acceptable form of identification is required for domestic flights.
Arriving at the airport without an ID doesn’t automatically mean you can’t board your flight, but as this traveler discovered, it does lead to additional procedures.
“In the event you arrive at the airport without acceptable identification (whether lost, stolen, or otherwise), you may still be allowed to fly. By providing additional information, TSA has other ways to confirm your identity so you can reach your flight.
“If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.”
The TSA’s website explains that those without ID should be prepared for extra security measures, including swabbing of their belongings.
“Screening protocols may vary based on technology available at the checkpoint, and intelligence-driven factors,” the TSA notes.
The anonymous traveler concluded their story by saying: “Luckily I was still able to board that day, and my boyfriend found my wallet in his car a week later.”
Consider this your heads-up.