Compared to getting a pedicure, it’s much safer. @BunsenBurner scared me off pedicures on another thread!
I guess I’ll consider bringing socks. To me socks are a sign that I’m traveling far from home. If I need socks, I’ll need a coat too and that makes me salty!
Once I bumped into something on my airplane seat armrest and it was the naked foot of the person behind me! I took a photo of this hideous transgression and then I reclined my seat firmly so she would have to put her foot down. Good thing I was wearing long sleeves that day.
Thanks to those who related the barefoot despite pre-check experiences! Random checks I know about, but I was hoping to learn other tricks to avoid the situation myself. I did - no boots/shoes with metal! I guess that makes sense in context.
We recently flew as a family group - all pre-check. On the way out, one kid was randomized for a body wand and pat-down. On the return, same kid unintentionally let his backpack go through Xray with an unopened 10 ounce bottle of water inside. It was not caught - or if it was noticed, they didn’t stop him. Sigh.
I flew to SJC from SEA with a large bottle of juice in the side pocket of my carryon. I was very sleepy hurrying to get to the airport and did not check the pocket of the bag I used to carry my belongings, the juice was left there by baby kiddo. It was not picked up by the TSA (probably too sleepy at 6 am, too). On the way back, I was surprised to get flagged by the TSA…
the liquids thing is all for show. as someone pointed out before if the liquids were such a threat they could not just toss them in the garbage barrels next to the security line. after all it could be dangerous. it is all for show. and those that are missed are of no concern.(hence the term security theater)
" It was not caught - or if it was noticed, they didn’t stop him."–it does not matter. TSA by dept of homeland own admission misses 95-96% of tests for bombs ( I suspect the actual number is probably 100%)
meanwhile the TSA takes baby milk in a bottle and a kids 8oz apple juice …100,000x airport employees, delivery people construction people and trucks move in and out of the “secure” parts of airports all day everyday never being checked. you need only get a job at the airport or tsa to bring anything right to the plane and not figure out how to smuggle 4 oz. of something in your carry on bag.
regular or baby soap is more effective if you have access to water. many times people touch chemicals or say rust that do not need or will not be removed by hand sanitizer they need soap. but that is another subject.
p.s. c-diff is no joke…neither is noro for that matter. (if you are healthy noro may go away fairly quickly but it feels like that time will never come)
I have pre-check and fly quite frequently for my job. I have been required to remove my shoes if they have a metal shank in them. In addition, every once in a while even though I paid for pre-check, I am randomly selected to NOT have pre-check. Also, some smaller airports don’t always have a pre-check line operating at certain times of the day. Sometimes in those circumstances I’m given a card which allows me to keep my shoes on, sometimes not.
Refusing to walk on an airport floor does not make one a germaphobe. I walk around plenty with bare feet, I just won’t do it in an airport. There are some things I just deem nasty so I won’t do it. I’m not concerned about touching my footies after removal. I also wont try on lipstick in the store. I pick up color and I buy a tube if I don’t like it oh well.
I was in the pre check line in May when when the machine broke down so everyone had to go thru regular line. Shoes off. Last year my husband who has Pre check was pulled out of line along with every 5 th person. Random screening. Shoes off. It was after some sort of terrorist incident but can’t even remember which one ( yikes)
My daughter was in the precheck line two weeks ago, but there were so few people going through security that they funneled her to the regular line. I had told her she wouldn’t have to take her shoes off, so she was puzzled when they told her she needed to!
Not concerned about barefoot traipsing thru TSA lines. However, I carry clorox wipes in my purse. Once on the aircraft I wipe down the tray table, arm rests, head rest and window sill if seated there. Those are beyond filthy and my hands will come into contact with those surfaces. Unlike my feet - which I am no longer able to put in my mouth or near my face, my hands will be transmitting those seat space related germs with enthusiasm.
Also, I use a sarong or large wool scarf instead of the blanket- upon which I will most likely put my TSA contaminated feet.
“Do you guys also wear socks to walk on the beach?”
Not a good comparison. Sunlight and sand - not a good environment for fungus. Sticky, porous mats that have zillions of bare feet stepping in the exact same spot - fungus heaven. A better comparison would be putting on old, stinky shoes worn by multiple people…
I walk at home barefoot. I walk in my driveway barefoot. I would never step barefoot on the two yellow “footprints” that TSA directs you to step on.
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/zoonotichookworm/gen_info/faqs.html
" Travelers to tropical and subtropical climates, especially where beach exposures are likely, should be advised to wear shoes and use protective mats or other coverings to prevent direct skin contact with sand or soil."
The Gulf has trouble with flesh eating bacteria. Don’t go in with an open wound. The old idea that salt water helps healing doesn’t apply in this case!