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?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[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.

[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

[vlps]

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

[spellmanski]

i never take mine off

[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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[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.

[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.

[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

[rolexjackson]

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[markseattle]

I see you are from Tacoma, I'm from Seattle myself and fly out of Seatac like I'm sure you would. Before Covid I was flying 30 or more roundtrips per year, all domestic and have never even once been asked to remove my watch. And this was over many years of travel.

Based on my experience , the safest place to leave your watch is on your wrist when going through security.


Mark

[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.

[jlovda]

I'm curious if the TRF members who claim they never take their watch off are also the people who pay for and use the expedited screening or are triple million dollar platinum bonus fliers.

[Treetopflyer777]

I’m a pilot. I go through screening hundreds of tubes a year. I refuse to remove my watch. I say they can take me to private screening if they would like but the watch isn’t coming off.
That usually ends the discussion.

[Chewbacca]

I forget how to use an airport.

[UK_]

Originally Posted by Treetopflyer777

I’m a pilot. I go through screening hundreds of tubes a year. I refuse to remove my watch. I say they can take me to private screening if they would like but the watch isn’t coming off.
That usually ends the discussion.

How does that work for you in UAE, Germany or France?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[beshannon]

I never remove mine and have never been asked to

[siempreko]

I never take mine off, without any issues. Flew down to Jamaica last month, no worries each way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GarbanzoNegro]

I used (long time no fly, damn Covid…) to put the watch in my backpack, in a pocket or similar.

[ArtNouveau]

Same answers as every time this comes up which is frequently. It appears that “most” times a watch can be worn through the scanner or metal detector without issue, especially if you’re in Pre or Global line. “All” the time it will go through your carry on fine in a watch case, pocket, etc.
Those that say they will refuse? Go to Flyertalk if you want to hear horror stories about “enhanced screening.” Not to mention holding up the line for the other travelers. At least in the US you can be not allowed to fly and possibly fined for not completing security screening. I have worn mine without incident but if it’s crowded I just put it in my bag.