Airport security and removing watch

[rolexjackson]

Someone made a post recently about flying and taking off your Rolex to go through security. In the last week I’ve flown 4 times and all but one time was I told to remove my watch. All the other times I kept it on my wrist. I can tell you that the one time I was told and I mean that she TOLD me to take off my watch and of course I complied but I did not let that basket out of my site and as soon as it passed through the x ray it went right back on my wrist.

What has been Your experience?


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[mackychase]

In all my travels, I've never been asked to remove my watch. Oh, except that one time I was wearing an Apple Watch. But that's it.

[kumar75203]

It gives me major anxiety. They always tell me to take my watch off. Once I pass through the screening machine, 90% of the time I have to stand off to the side so they can pat me down. So there's anywhere from 30 seconds - 3 minutes where the watch is on the other side of the conveyor belt unattended. I usually "hide" it inside my shoes but still...

edit: I haven't flown anywhere since Covid started so hopefully they're becoming more lax about watches and belts.

[Gerardus]

Originally Posted by kumar75203

It gives me major anxiety. They always tell me to take my watch off. Once I pass through the screening machine, 90% of the time I have to stand off to the side so they can pat me down. So there's anywhere from 30 seconds - 3 minutes where the watch is on the other side of the conveyor belt unattended. I usually "hide" it inside my shoes but still...

edit: I haven't flown anywhere since Covid started so hopefully they're becoming more lax about watches and belts.

x2

[Fred48]

Originally Posted by kumar75203

It gives me major anxiety. They always tell me to take my watch off. Once I pass through the screening machine, 90% of the time I have to stand off to the side so they can pat me down. So there's anywhere from 30 seconds - 3 minutes where the watch is on the other side of the conveyor belt unattended. I usually "hide" it inside my shoes but still...

edit: I haven't flown anywhere since Covid started so hopefully they're becoming more lax about watches and belts.

not to mention that, depending on how thorough the screening is, your wallet and passport might be on the other side as well (along with your Gucci loafers!).

Always makes me nervous.

[Marcjvr]

I take mine off and put it in a watch case in my bag in a locked pocket while going through security.

Most people will tell you here you are fine to leave it on, but I have seen a young TSA agent ask a guy in front of me to remove his watch and as soon as the guy said “but I always keep it on” he was waived to the pat down area

[Tavli3]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

I take mine off and put it in a watch case in my bag in a locked pocket while going through security.

Most people will tell you here you are fine to leave it on, but I have seen a young TSA agent ask a guy in front of me to remove his watch and as soon as the guy said “but I always keep it on” he was waived to the pat down area

Just took a flight and was not asked to take off watch I set the alarm off so I had to remove watch which I wasn’t happy about but there were no issues at all.


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[Slaybo]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

I take mine off and put it in a watch case in my bag in a locked pocket while going through security.

Most people will tell you here you are fine to leave it on, but I have seen a young TSA agent ask a guy in front of me to remove his watch and as soon as the guy said “but I always keep it on” he was waived to the pat down area

This. While I'm waiting in line I put my watch and wallet in my carry on. Simple to do and avoids any possible hassle.

[-dustin]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

I take mine off and put it in a watch case in my bag in a locked pocket while going through security.

Ditto. Nothing of value is outside of my bag when going through security.

[Rolex.c6]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

I take mine off and put it in a watch case in my bag in a locked pocket while going through security.

Most people will tell you here you are fine to leave it on, but I have seen a young TSA agent ask a guy in front of me to remove his watch and as soon as the guy said “but I always keep it on” he was waived to the pat down area

Me too.

[vlps]

ive taken 20+ flights in the last year and never once asked to remove my watch

[spellmanski]

i never take mine off

[fsprow]

Rarely in the US, more frequent in some parts of Europe and Central Asia. I just do exactly what I am asked to do. Never a problem.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Rarely in the US, more frequent in some parts of Europe and Central Asia. I just do exactly what I am asked to do. Never a problem.

This.
The subject has been discussed ad nauseam here with some super hero experts on international airport laws who swear they won’t do xyz because their rights and precious little watch are more important than what any measly security guard is going to instruct them to do.

Bottom line is every country is different and in the US this is rarely an issue, so when many say I’ve flown ten billion times without issue, it’s rather important to note this was usually regional flying. While on the other hand many who’ve flown in other international markets have varying and different experiences because their security procedures and security screening technology is different.

The real point to clarify is to just do as instructed and respect airport security and their authority because while you may love a good defense of your rights and putting the security in his place, I really don’t have time to be delayed or entertained by your insistent defense of your civil liberties regarding wearing your precious watch while being screened, that like 95% of the people in line don’t even care about.

Personally, just to avoid the ass pain that I may or may not encounter because that day there’s a new guy, machine change, procedure modification because of an alert status or screening change I don’t know about because I’m not employed by the airport, or because of random screen lottery win, I just come prepared “before” I even get to security to have it off and stored in a Casebuddi for my peace of mind and watch security, no worries about scratches or theft or any other drama, get to the other side and flip it on and enjoy my flight.

Ymmv

[Andy0331]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

This.
The subject has been discussed ad nauseam here with some super hero experts on international airport laws who swear they won’t do xyz because their rights and precious little watch are more important than what any measly security guard is going to instruct them to do.

Bottom line is every country is different and in the US this is rarely an issue, so when many say I’ve flown ten billion times without issue, it’s rather important to note this was usually regional flying. While on the other hand many who’ve flown in other international markets have varying and different experiences because their security procedures and security screening technology is different.

Exactly. I never have an issue in the US, but it's very country dependent once you are traveling internationally. Put it in your bag (along with your wallet, moneyclip, phone, etc.) before you get to the bin. You won't have any issues.

[UK_]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

This.
The subject has been discussed ad nauseam here with some super hero experts on international airport laws who swear they won’t do xyz because their rights and precious little watch are more important than what any measly security guard is going to instruct them to do.

Bottom line is every country is different and in the US this is rarely an issue, so when many say I’ve flown ten billion times without issue, it’s rather important to note this was usually regional flying. While on the other hand many who’ve flown in other international markets have varying and different experiences because their security procedures and security screening technology is different.

The real point to clarify is to just do as instructed and respect airport security and their authority because while you may love a good defense of your rights and putting the security in his place, I really don’t have time to be delayed or entertained by your insistent defense of your civil liberties regarding wearing your precious watch while being screened, that like 95% of the people in line don’t even care about.

Personally, just to avoid the ass pain that I may or may not encounter because that day there’s a new guy, machine change, procedure modification because of an alert status or screening change I don’t know about because I’m not employed by the airport, or because of random screen lottery win, I just come prepared “before” I even get to security to have it off and stored in a Casebuddi for my peace of mind and watch security, no worries about scratches or theft or any other drama, get to the other side and flip it on and enjoy my flight.

Ymmv

Exactly - clearly this thread is biased to domestic US flights - I would love to see some of these guys telling the guards in Dubai or Saudi they are not removing their watch


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[Treetopflyer777]

Originally Posted by UK_

Exactly - clearly this thread is biased to domestic US flights - I would love to see some of these guys telling the guards in Dubai or Saudi they are not removing their watch


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I’ve never been asked to remove it in Dubai. I’ve never been to Saudi so I can’t say.
I fly domestically maybe once a year. 99.9% of my flying is around the world. I rarely get asked to remove it and On the occasions I have, they were completely fine with my polite request for a “wanding” or a pat down. It’s never gotten Even remotely confrontational.
What can I say...

[David001]

Originally Posted by Treetopflyer777

I’ve never been asked to remove it in Dubai. I’ve never been to Saudi so I can’t say.

As a pilot you might get treated differently depending on how you pass through to airside and who is making the decision. I suspect they'll mostly wave you on because the hassle of arguing with someone who thinks he's special sometimes just isn't worth it for them, unless they're a local who fancies taking you on, then he'll ruin your day.

For any other regular passenger, regardless of class, you are asked to remove your watch. Whether you do or don't and try to sneak through is your decision, but you will be asked to remove it if it's discovered.

I know this for a fact.

The only time I haven't been asked to remove a watch is when I'm flying private out of Dubai South.

[vletnguyen]

I never take my watch off either. A few years ago my cousin that I was traveling with took off his sub and put it through the xray. He went to pick it up from the belt and it dropped breaking the spring bar (no other damage), even the TSA agent cringed. Dallas RSC took care of it free of charge, they are the best.

If you are asked to take it off, stick it in your bag? I always slide my wallet and phone into my bag when I go through, less chance of it walking away.

[soflonative]

Just be prepared ahead of time when traveling. I fly a lot and the very few times I've been asked to remove my watch I place it deep into my back pack in an area that it wont be scratched. I never go through the metal detector or scanner until I see me back pack disappearing into the x-ray machine.

Always be prepared and aware of your surroundings!

[Tag_asian]

I always remove my watch and put it inside either by carryon bag or inside my jacket pocket

[myporsche]

I learned the hard way @ Paris not to argue and just o take the damn thing off, now I just remove it and put it in a case in my bag instead of throwing it on the tray if they were to ask me again.

5 people with watches passed through as the security manager was yelling at me to take it off while calling backup.

[PBJ1925]

Rarely I take my watch off. In the event I do, it goes inside a watch buddy, inside my backpack into a pocket that's takes a bit of work to get too.

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

Rarely I take my watch off. In the event I do, it goes inside a watch buddy, inside my backpack into a pocket that's takes a bit of work to get too.

That's the way to do it, on the bottom of a backpack in a casebudi or similar. I wouldn't put it on a tray or even in a shoe.

[Tools]

The only place that a Rolex on my wrist has set off an alarm is at the ship port in Kauai, HI, other watches will set them off routinely.

However, it is hit or miss that somebody will demand that I take it off, and then it becomes a cluster feat to keep track of everything.

Any more I slip it off and put it in a zipper pocket of my carry-on, it just isn't worth the trouble sometimes.

[rolexjackson]

Time to buy a watch roll so that I can just shove it in my bag


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[Kinnakeet]

My husband and I fly frequently. Of all the times he was once asked to remove his watch for inspection. I think it was a Submariner. Several times after going through the machine they asked to inspect his watch it on his wrist. I have never been asked.

[Brew]

I slip my watch into my coat pocket before I enter the security line. The coat is folded for the bins and retrieved after the x-ray machine.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Brew

I slip my watch into my coat pocket before I enter the security line. The coat is folded for the bins and retrieved after the x-ray machine.

This

[joli160]

I fly a lot international and many countries you need to remove your watch. Try arguing and see how that works out

Before security check my watch, belt, wallet are in my bag. Laptop is out. I don’t hold up the line and it’s the quickest method to go through. How difficult it can be.