Airport security and removing watch

[Ricky Rolex]

I always bring my RSC velvet pouch when travelling as I’ve had the same thing many times.

It really bugs me. It’s a watch ffs.

To avoid any hassle, as I’m queuing, watch goes in the pouch, placed half way down in my carry on bag and zipped up.

I couldn’t bare to think of my watch in a tray with so much going on around me.

[bob sims]

I have always put it in the middle of my carry on wrapped in a sock and with the sock wrapped in clothing. Then take it out and put it on in the first chair I can find.

[carnage9191]

I'm in the pouch camp, When going through security I place everything on my person including belt, wallet, etc into my backpack. Having everything in a single place reduces the chance of someone being able to grab it from a bin.

[stockjock1975]

I fly a lot and never once have been asked to remove my watch. That said, if i did i would politely refuse and ask for a pat down. Just too much risk to have it in that plastic basket unattended.

[dannymiller]

I don't get asked to take of my watch especially when it doesn't set off an alarm.

[SA1]

Usually don’t have to, but some I do, sometimes I just put in a bag in advance.

[csaltphoto]

Flying out of Maui there is usually a screener telling people to "Keep your jewelry on". I don't think the TSA wants the hassle of dealing with a possible theft, given the randomness of their employee pool.

[PatekSF]

Fly private and you will never have to worry.

[lamnyc]

I usually check ahead to see if anyone have to remove their watch. If so, I tug it in a pocket in my carryon bag.

[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

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by jdg443

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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when asked to remove it, I put it into one of my carry on bags not the tray.

[EEpro]

I slip my watch into one of these and then into my carry on.

[challer]

This has come up every few months for years. I can count on one hand the number of people who state that they were required to remove the watch. I've traveled all over the world, literally, for years. I've never been asked to take it off. I do keep a small pouch in the briefcase or back pack should it ever happen. It's only a few feet guys.

[BroncoOne]

I use PreCheck, so it is a metal detector.

I slip my phone and watch into my carryon before I go through as I've set it off once.

It's just not worth the potential delays to myself or fellow passengers and I've never seen a passenger rifling through someone else's bag. Since I'm putting my phone in anyway its not an inconvenience.

I wouldn't put it on a tray naked.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by challer

This has come up every few months for years. I can count on one hand the number of people who state that they were required to remove the watch. I've traveled all over the world, literally, for years. I've never been asked to take it off. I do keep a small pouch in the briefcase or back pack should it ever happen. It's only a few feet guys.

It always takes the same trajectory too. People insist that because they have never been required to remove a watch that it doesn't happen if you just have the right attitude or something I guess. You understand it can and does happen. It has happened to me.

If you aren't leaving North America you will likely not have an issue. Other parts of the world it can happen. It's rare and maybe not worth being prepared for...but it's real.

The times it's happened to me show a pattern. It is NOT that some airport's security people believe watches are dangerous. What I've seen is situations where due to heightened security, heavy traffic or equipment issues the lines get backed up to the point that the entire airport is impacted...people missing flights...tempers flaring, etc. Every time a screener needs to send someone through a device twice or wand them or pat them down just makes things worse. Certain places react by just demanding that everything comes off...belts, watches, shoes, you name it.

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[Amex4711]

Originally Posted by PatekSF

Fly private and you will never have to worry.

…. good point.

[SFmedic13]

I've been traveling to the Middle East since 2019 and always was asked to remove it, even state side so I place it in my backpack along with my cell and wallet.

[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.

[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.

[samson66]

Haven't been asked to remove my watch on a SINGLE domestic U.S. flight. I traveled internationally about 2 years ago and pre-emptively put my watch in a sock inside my carry on bag. But again, at home I hold my hands above my head and it's never been an issue. Honestly shocked you were asked to remove.

[SS Oyster]

I’ve been through security a lot and wearing a DSSD mainly, all without hassle or having to remove.

Today went through with the new Kermit, no problems.


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[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by EEpro

I slip my watch into one of these and then into my carry on.

This is what I do as well and is the best idea imo. Removes all worry. Slip the watch back on once through security


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[fishingbear]

Never take mine off.

[CarteBlanche]

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.

Same here. Inside pocket, folded nicely in half.

And it's the first thing I collect once I'm through. Laptop, phone, whatever... in that moment, I don't care. Just let me put my watch back on!

[47Fountain]

Originally Posted by 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.

I've never had the luxury of being "fast tracked". I'm just one of the sheep waiting in line. With that being said, watch stays on & I've never been asked to remove it.

[-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.

[101031-28]

I never remove my watch. US air travel I never get asked. Overseas, it occurs from time to time, in which case I tell them to hand wand me. Sorry I do not remove my Rolex for someone to snatch while I am distracted going through the security check point, or risk scratching by throwing it inside my luggage.

[jlovda]

I think one of the issues is that if you leave your watch on and the sensor beeps, the screeners have to make sure the cause is not a second item. You have to take your watch off and go through the metal detector a second time.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by jdg443

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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I've never been asked to take off my watch

[jon_jon]

Security screening varies throughout the world.

However if you are wearing long sleeve shirt and the shirt cuff covers the watch, they are less likely to ask you to remove your watch. Also as someone mentioned above, if you are in priority screening line (e.g. Precheck in the US or Business/First class premium passenger rest of the world) the screening agents are not going to bother you as much.

The only exception I have experienced is at LHR as the security screeners are outsourced and they don't care if the security screen delay force you to miss your flight nor do they care you are flying in Business/First Class and supposedly should be getting expedited screening.