Photo from www.tsa.gov

Ten days ago I found myself at Boston’s Logan International Airport for a flight home to San Francisco after spending a week back east with my in-laws. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the terrible events of September 11, especially while traveling the week prior to the anniversary. As we all know, Logan is one of the airports from which planes departed that day eight years earlier on their fateful missions.

Despite the eerie feeling accompanying me the entire way, getting through Logan’s airport security was a breeze. Unfortunately I didn’t find the same to be true when we departed from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) the week prior. What transpired there makes me question how people can still be so clueless--or perhaps downright defiant--when it comes to airport security in a post-9/11 world.

While waiting in a long security line at SFO, I watched with interest as a young man in front of me crouched down out of sight and opened his carry-on suitcase, where I saw several juice boxes stuffed in among his clothing. Judging by the man’s Korean passport, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and assumed that he didn’t know the U.S. rules; international airports often follow different procedures and regulations from ours in the States.

My thoughts quickly changed to frustration when I then watched him deliberately hide a large bag of oversized toiletries in a zippered compartment of his suitcase. The line was too thick for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to notice, so I waited to see how his bag would hold up to the scanner’s scrutiny. While I debated saying something, I figured it wasn’t my battle to fight; I‘d let the TSOs do their jobs. Was I wrong in not calling him out?

I’m pleased to report that he didn’t get very far. After passing through the metal detector, he moved over to collect his belongings. I was right behind him, at which point a TSO asked me if a particular suitcase were mine. I replied that it belonged to the man in front of me. After opening the Korean man’s suitcase, the TSO immediately noticed the rogue juice boxes, and politely informed him that he couldn’t bring them on the plane.

She then did something that restored my faith in the airport screening process: She asked him where his toiletries were! Brilliant, I thought. That’s using some deductive reasoning and serious skills. Someone was paying attention that day, doing her job, and doing it well. The Korean man fumbled around for a minute, then pointed to the zippered compartment. From there, the TSO pulled the man’s oversized stash from its hiding place, and proceeded to explain to him the rules for carry-on items. At this point, we finally moved on to our gate as I heard the TSO tell the man that he needed to check that bag or say goodbye to his goodies. I’m not sure which option he chose.

Many of us--including me--have no doubt made jabbing remarks or sarcastic comments about how inconsistent and lacking the security is at U.S. airports, even today. What passes through Chicago might face scrutiny in Phoenix, for example. You might follow all the rules and still be called over for further screening. I've also heard stories from friends and family who inadvertently managed to get through security with prohibited items at one point in the years shortly after 9/11, including one colleague with a box cutter after attending a trade show. They simply forgot to remove these items from their carry-on bags, and TSOs didn’t catch the oversights.

Nevertheless, these security officers are doing a valuable job, and we need to respect and abide by the rules. In the interest of time management, not to mention everyone’s safety, forget trying to sneak your cigarette lighter or favorite huge bottle of shampoo in your carry-on. You can do your part by educating yourself about the regulations governing our airports. You‘ll not only help yourself, you‘ll help your fellow travelers by expediting the process for everyone.

Here are a few tips to make your transit through airport security quick and hopefully hassle-free:

• Read the list of prohibited items before you pack your bags
• Learn the 3-1-1 system for liquids and gels: Each person is allowed only one quart-size zippered bag, with specific limitations on bottle/container sizes and contents
• Don’t wrap gifts: TSOs might ruin your holiday cheer by unwrapping items if they need to take a closer look
• Be aware of specific foods: Grandma's awesome homemade cranberry sauce isn’t allowed to board with you; you must put it in a checked bag or leave it behind
• Keep your photo I.D. and boarding pass readily available when you arrive at the security line
• Wear shoes that are easily removable: they must go through the scanner
• Refrain from jokes and belligerent behavior; this is not the place to be the last comic standing