So in natural Kevin fashion, I wait till last minute to pack up my room and move some of my stuff to a friends house while I'm gone. I'm quickly but carefully putting things in to my luggage, my carry on and the bag that I will leave in the Philippines.
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| The reason I was almost branded a terrorist!! |
I come across my butterfly knife that I bought that I so dearly loved playing with. All my other bags were already in the car so I put the knife in my carry on and made the mental note "Hey dummy don't forget to take this out when you get to the other house..." So i put the knife in the bag and went on my way.
Some of the Youth from Youth United Philippines again wanted to escort me to the airport, so we all hung out and had some fellowship, bonding while killing time until we go to the airport. 3am.... the car... or truck service i should say arrives and we're on our way. When we get to the airport I think to myself that saying bye to these kids will be easier the second time around.... I was sadly mistaken. It was even harder this time!! I didn't cry in front of them but I was definitely sad. We said our "see you soon's" and then before I knew it, I had to go and check in.
I check my luggage and verify my seat on the flight. No problems there. At customs they tell me I have to pay a fee for exit clearance.... So I had to run to an ATM and pay the crazy fee. Then off to scan my body and bags for weapons of mass destruction. I follow the process and put all my things in a bin. I place the bin and my carry on, onto the conveyor to be scanned. I go through the human xray thing and I hear the words "Go ahead sir." So I collect my things and realize I'm missing my carry on. I'm thinking that someone picked it up by accident or something. I kindly tell the officer I 'm missing my bag and they not so kindly tell me to stay exactly where I am.
I see another dude holding my carry on and he pretty much slams it onto the metal counter.... Mind you this is in front of other passengers so i'm feeling kinda cool cause I'm thinking I aint got nothin to hide!! So the guy is taking things out of my bag and searching vigorously for something.... I'm thinking go ahead chief you aint gonna find noth... and then he pulls it out.... The butterfly knife.... I'm thinking OH shhhhhhh... The officer repeats these 2 words "Illegal Posession" He says it like 3 times and in my head I'm like shut up dude!!
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Another officer says "come with me" we walk a ways down to an area not well lit and where I can no longer see any witnesses who can verify my existence. He just stands there not saying anything. He's just playing with this knife. He says (while playing with the knife) "You know... I'm supposed to take you to a room and interrogate you. You could be a terrorist... Are you a terrorist?" I obviously said no. Apparently I could have gone to jail cause bringing sharp object onto an airplane is frowned upon. He said you are either a terrorist that really doesn't care to hide your weapon or you might be telling me the truth. He then proceeded to ask me some more questions and finally he decided to let me go since my flight was not too long from then or because my small cute stature didn't pose a threat to homeland security.
As I passed through customs I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the good Lord. I wouldn't have gotten through there without Him. I would be in some Guantanamo type prison getting water boarded if the good Lord's blessing and grace wasn't upon me. Thank you Lord!!
PS. mental notes are not good if you forget them. lol
Stay classy
& don't bring sharp objects on airplanes ;)
