Okay, here is my airport story.
I'm only semi-sympathetic to your experience.
This airport security check was probably as good a learning experience for your daughter as some of her college classes will be.
I am surprised however that you haven't heard about the airport security regulations in force since 9-11. My experience at airport security is that you can't take anything on board that has a cutting edge, is explosive, can be used to whack someone, etc. etc. etc.
You can transport things like knives through your checked baggage. I took a big box over to Germany last spring to my son's troops in Germany.
I travel on the airlines several times a week and everything metallic that I'm carrying such as keys, watch, belt, coins, wallet, etc. goes into my little travel bag when going through security metal detector. I just plunk the case on the belt with my shoes and stuff usually breezes right through the metal detector
A couple of weeks ago they made me go through a "puffer machine". It was rather neat. You stand inside this thing shaped like a phone booth. It has air nozzles in the walls that shoot a blast of air at you from different angles and sides. Then I think it smells the air to see if you are carrying chemicals or explosives. I should have loaded up with after-shave just before going through to see what it would do.
Only once did they open my case. I was carrying a large three pound coffee can full of recyled Titlist golf balls that had been given to me. I was taking them home to give to my golfer brother-in-law. I had carefully taped the plastic lid on the top of the can so the balls wouldn't fall out. The x-ray operator couldn't figure out what the can was so they asked me, as my case came out of the xray scanner, if they could open it. What can you say but, "sure go ahead". In removing the tape they tipped the can and all the golfballs went rolling down the ramp to where the luggage finally ends up. I was having a really hard time keeping a straight face. One of the security guys saw a ball that he wanted to buy from me(it was one of the new Titlists, expensive ones I think). I just gave it to him and told him it was a reward for doing such good work. After that I think I could have driven a Mack Truck through security without any problems. I'll tell you though that it was a pain stuffing all those golf balls back into the coffee can and getting them seated so I could retape the top on.
Here is a link to my favorite brand of knives so I don't get banned for being too off topic of the bladeforums.
http://videoknife.com/auto-protech-godfather.html
