We're Moving!

Image
Click for more info.

Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Discuss anything that doesn't fit elsewhere on the site. As a reminder, religion, politics and weaponry are prohibited.
Post Reply
User avatar
BostonCharlie
MoT Member
Posts: 3256
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:26 pm
Location: Texas
Has thanked: 20583 times
Been thanked: 12693 times

Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by BostonCharlie »

I don't fly often. Last time I deliberately wore a plastic digital watch so I wouldn't have to take it off for screening. This guy says:
... you can wear your watch through airport security. Just keep it on your wrist, especially if you’re afraid that it might get scratched or stolen if you put it in a tray. If you want to get through security as fast as possible, take your watch off your wrist and put it in the pocket of your jacket or carry-on bag.
He advises specifically against putting a naked watch in a tray or bowl since it could get tipped out or stolen.

Any other advice for traveling with a nice metal watch?
User avatar
borgil
MoT Member
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 3328 times
Been thanked: 224 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by borgil »

I usually do the same as that guy, I make sure to always have a pocket with nothing in it that could damage a watch whether in my jacket or my bag.
I then remove it while in the line and put it in that pocket (I do the same with my phone in another pocket).

But I think you can actually keep the watch on if you go through a millimeter wave scanner instead of metal detector (this is the case at most large US airports for people who do not have TSA-pre).
User avatar
tommy_boy
MoT Member
Posts: 1049
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:44 pm
Location: The Evergreen State
Has thanked: 3196 times
Been thanked: 4763 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by tommy_boy »

I fly often (TSA Pre-Check) and wear whatever watch I choose. I have a handkerchief in my carry-on that I use to wrap the watch head, particularly between the case and bracelet ans stow it in in the bag. No problem. I'd never put my PO in one of those crappy trays, for example.
Just my $0.02 USD as always.
User avatar
Dub Rubb
MoT Member
Posts: 3916
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 7:15 pm
Has thanked: 24685 times
Been thanked: 10738 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by Dub Rubb »

I always throw mine into one of my shoes. Last time the agent told me I could keep it on my wrist, so obviously I did! I usually travel with something more affordable on my wrist, and then several more affordables in a travel case. Anything nicer than an NTH or kocktail time stay at home.

Sent from my LG-M322 using Tapatalk

User avatar
watchpalooza
Global Moderator
Posts: 4310
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2018 12:43 pm
Location: Munich & SF Bay Area
Has thanked: 21586 times
Been thanked: 12443 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by watchpalooza »

Typically they do not require removal of jewelry. If I do have to remove it, I do like [mention]borgil[/mention] and stash it in the zippered pocket of my jacket before putting it through the scanner. I do also prefer air travel with modern watches over vintage because there are so many magnetic fields and also for reasons of durability...this may be overly cautious, but something I consider when choosing my watches.
Click Icon To Contact Me


’There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.’ - Leonard Cohen, Anthem
’One man's faith is another man's delusion.’ - Anthony Storr
User avatar
Boourns
MoT Member
Posts: 2806
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:36 pm
Location: Dallas
Has thanked: 4517 times
Been thanked: 10272 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by Boourns »

I usually wear it with no problems, though I have precheck. Otherwise I'll put it in the little padded pocket of my travel bag/backpack.

Related: I never use the trays for anything. Wallet, etc. also goes in the bag. You'll never forget it or have it stolen.
I wish that watch were 38mm?
PetWatch
MoT Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Wed Dec 26, 2018 5:29 pm
Has thanked: 3778 times
Been thanked: 3676 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by PetWatch »

I keep it on the wrist unless they ask me to remove it, seldom happens. One time, after going through the scanner with my Invicta behemoth, bells ringing, TSA agent asked me to remove it, took it back for a close up lengthy scan.

Must have been marvelling at it and trying to make sense of all the gears, spring, rotor inside.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

User avatar
The Sultan of SoWhat
MoT Member
Posts: 5373
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 8:52 pm
Has thanked: 10977 times
Been thanked: 11302 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by The Sultan of SoWhat »

PetWatch wrote: Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:48 pm I keep it on the wrist unless they ask me to remove it, seldom happens. One time, after going through the scanner with my Invicta behemoth, bells ringing, TSA agent asked me to remove it, took it back for a close up lengthy scan.

Must have been marvelling at it and trying to make sense of all the gears, spring, rotor inside.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
-----------

Or was stunned into insensibility.
synequano
MoT Member
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:33 pm
Has thanked: 522 times
Been thanked: 90 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by synequano »

Usually I bring a waistpack/fanny pack so I just put my wallet,phone and watch into it before I go through security checks,some airport do ask me to remove my ipad from my bag,some don’t but most ask me to remove my watch...
User avatar
MAAHHH THE FRENCH!
MoT Member
Posts: 264
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:52 pm
Has thanked: 1084 times
Been thanked: 721 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by MAAHHH THE FRENCH! »

A banana hammock and a grin.

Though it's somewhat moot, since I'm not allowed in airports anymore for some reason.
User avatar
Bbrou33
MoT Member
Posts: 1320
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:51 pm
Location: NYC
Has thanked: 7765 times
Been thanked: 4186 times
Contact:

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by Bbrou33 »

I've flown pretty often and I think only once that I can remember this year an agent asked me to remove my watch. I tend to travel with my carry on backpack and just threw it in an empty pocket in there since there are about a million pockets in this bag.
Insta me: bbrou33
PetWatch
MoT Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Wed Dec 26, 2018 5:29 pm
Has thanked: 3778 times
Been thanked: 3676 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by PetWatch »

You'll be fine, just don't wear one of those oversized Invictas the size of a pipe bomb strapped to your wrist.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

User avatar
Sussa
MoT Member
Posts: 1264
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2019 6:48 am
Location: Massachusetts
Has thanked: 2520 times
Been thanked: 4964 times

Re: Airports, TSA and Watches -- what do you wear at the airport?

Post by Sussa »

I fly US domestic with TSA Pre-Check about once a month and never take off my watch. I don't recall taking it off in the dark days before Pre-Check either. I've had wildly varying experiences in other countries and just prepare myself to remove all jewelry and empty my carry-on of electronics.
Post Reply