Airline Travel and TSA

[miket-nyc]

Next week I'm flying to the west coast, the first time since I bought my Submariner. I'm a bit worried about taking off my watch for the X-ray machine, which would let it out of my sight long enough for some light-fingered passenger (or screener) to grab it. Is there a way to have the TSA scan your watch with a wand while it's on your wrist, and what is the way to talk them into this? (I'm leaving from Newark NJ, and in NYC the TSA isn't known for its patience and gentleness...)

[ltmgeller]

I never remove my watch at tsa

[rohk]

Nope. I never remove it.

[Bizcut1]

I stash mine in my carry on.

[Yobber76]

I also never take my watch off.
They look at your wrist and let you pass, every airport I have gone through

[thejerseyrock]

Frequent Flier, and Ive never been asked to take mine off at Newark

[hdrazor251]

I've never had to remove any watch with TSA. Government buildings is another story.

[Tha Baron]

I’ve worn many watches through the metal detector and scanner. No issue.

I’ve also had many watches inside a casebudi in my carry on go through the baggage screener many times. I think unless you have a Rolex sitting in the white bowl during a busy line you’d never get your watch stolen. I can’t think of a worse place to steal something - either by a passenger or TSA agent, with all the cameras and eyes after everyone has proven their identity 30 feet away. You really think Bill is going to bail on his cruise vacation because he stole a Rolex, well, because one was in front of him at the TSA conveyor belt?

Like blackjack, don’t play scared...

[Tudorpa]

If by chance they ask you to remove, explain to them you are unable and have
them do an individual scan. I have never been asked to remove when I have worn any watch. Once when they stopped me they saw the watch and just ran the wand over it.

[steadywaters]

Have TSA precheck. Walk through with watch on.

[Brny11]

Originally Posted by miket-nyc

Next week I'm flying to the west coast, the first time since I bought my Submariner. I'm a bit worried about taking off my watch for the X-ray machine, which would let it out of my sight long enough for some light-fingered passenger (or screener) to grab it. Is there a way to have the TSA scan your watch with a wand while it's on your wrist, and what is the way to talk them into this? (I'm leaving from Newark NJ, and in NYC the TSA isn't known for its patience and gentleness...)

Traveled every week for 2 years. Never took it off once and was never asked to. If your worried, watch roll and carry on!


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[jstan9]

Originally Posted by miket-nyc

Next week I'm flying to the west coast, the first time since I bought my Submariner. I'm a bit worried about taking off my watch for the X-ray machine, which would let it out of my sight long enough for some light-fingered passenger (or screener) to grab it. Is there a way to have the TSA scan your watch with a wand while it's on your wrist, and what is the way to talk them into this? (I'm leaving from Newark NJ, and in NYC the TSA isn't known for its patience and gentleness...)

Just wear it. Like so many others, I’ve never been asked to remove my watch.

If you want extra assurance, spring for the $80 for five years as a tsa pre check ‘known traveler.’

[baymax]

I have never been asked to take off my watch.

[shaunylw]

I’ve never removed mine. I hadn’t removed it before i was tsa pre either. If anyone ever asked i would say no. Then let them figure out what to do next. No chance I’m putting thousands of dollars in a bucket with a tsa agent and letting them shoot it through a machine lol.


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[bob78h]

Never had to remove my watch. I just wear it through and they don't say anything. If you're really worried you could always put it deep inside your carry-on bag.

[Kyle3130]

OP, you get the idea by now. Just wear it and if you go through multiple metal detectors in a short amount of time, check your watch for magnetism. I always wear my Submariner through the metal detectors but it got magnetized when I had 2 flights in one week earlier this year. I took it to my AD and the watchmaker demagnetized it for free and it runs perfectly now. Have fun on your trip!

[jerry017uk]

I travel frequently from UK to USA and I have never removed my watch.

[MauiRolex]

TSA Precheck. Have never taken off. Travel all the time. Milgauss sets off metal detector. Results in a wand. No big deal. Submariner and YM don’t meet the threshold.

[Anton911]

A stupid immigration guy who was on duty by the scanner in Cardiff Wales airport,U.K was adamant that I had to take my Rolex off to go through the scanner.I refused and he then said I would not be flying.
I was absolutely steadfast I would not take the watch off and asked for the supervisor,big scene ensued.
Supervisor allowed me through without taking the watch off.
I have lived here 54 years, travelled hundreds of times all around the world regularly and only ever been stopped here in Cardiff with a very arrogant member of security staff who thought he could demand what people do,was not happening with me I’m afraid.
Shame to say what a dump Cardiff airport in Wales is and I live there.

[Wingslogo]

It’s not necessary for you to take it off.


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[igloo21]

My local airport TSA line has a sign that specifically says to leave your watch on.

[ejvette]

I always have TSA precheck I never have to take it off but I always carry a backpack so I just stick it there I usually carry an extra watch when I travel and its in my backpack

[huba01]

Relax, you will never have to take your sub off

[Monty22]

Never have had to take off my watch...PM OR SS


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[BisonHead]

Its no biggy to take it off before hitting the scanners and stick it in your hand luggage. Cant see the drama personally.

Kabul airport you have to take them off along with shoes every time. No exceptions at all.

Kick off and your not flying and most likely detained by the Border Police.

[Wools]

Taken my watch off all the time, along with belt, wedding ring etc.

Don't care, just do as I'm told. Life's too short to worry about such small things!

[Cru Jones]

So, when am agent says to take it off, which has happened to me several times, I can say no?

[Wiener48]

Leave it on, no problem

[Wools]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

So, when am agent says to take it off, which has happened to me several times, I can say no?

That's what I was thinking!

'Sir, please take your watch off.'

'No.'

'... Excuse me?'

'No, I don't have to take it off, a TRF user said I don't have to as they've never done it before. Besides, I may pick up a light scratch on the Oyster Steel braclet. Also, I don't trust the look of the bloke behind me.'

'...Take off the damn watch!'

[jvb.nc]

i’ve not had to take my watch off in ages, but if i did, or if i notice a particularly grumpy agent, i’ll just tuck it into my carryon.