This Seemingly-Friendly Behavior Could Cause TSA To Flag You As A Dangerous Passenger

There is a time and a place for everything, but at the airport, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) line is rarely the best spot for anything other than following directions. What may feel like a nuisance to some travelers is a system designed to keep everyone safe and prevent catastrophe. TSA agents have the stressful and important job of screening travelers and their belongings for hazards that may put everyone at risk: drugs, weapons, explosives, etc. They are also keeping a close eye on you and assessing if you're safe to let through. It's in your interest to be on your best behavior. And as much as it may pain you to hold back, definitely don't test out your comedic skills with TSA agents by cracking inconsiderate jokes.

Making jokes about bombs, terrorism, or any other dangerous topic is a surprisingly common activity that can be a red flag for TSA agents. You may pass it off as "dark humor" or an attempt to lighten the mood, but TSA agents take such claims seriously and will act accordingly. Your jokes could even lead to you being detained, fined, or arrested. The next time you're at an airport, keeping the jokes to yourself is critical if you want to avoid getting flagged by TSA.

Aside from the distasteful jokes, it's best to keep all chatter to a minimum when you're going through a TSA checkpoint, even if the agents seem friendly and talkative. There is a sneaky reason why TSA agents get chatty with travelers at airport security. It's not because they're bored or because they genuinely care how your day is going (though I'm sure many TSA agents are perfectly lovely people). TSA agents are trained to recognize certain patterns and behaviors. Overly friendly, talkative travelers tend to raise eyebrows. If the way you're talking makes you seem nervous or anxious, they'll want to know why. Are you hiding something unsavory? Did you have too much to drink before arriving at the airport? Do you know something they don't? If the content of your conversation involves jokes about dangerous situations, it'll only make nearby agents more wary.

Being chatty with TSA may also make it seem like you're trying to distract them or get them to let their guard down. It's not a good look, and the last thing you want is to spend extra time at security just for trying to be friendly or, worse, end up having to explain away a poorly worded joke you made (and potentially miss your next flight in the process). So, aside from asking questions or giving a polite greeting, keep the chatter to a minimum, and you'll be on your way without any hassle.