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Over the past couple of weeks, my wife and I went on two trips that involved flying. The first was to Chicago for the Locked in Steel event, where we helped some friends from LIS set up their booth. It was a wonderful visit; Chicago is lovely. Because I was wearing my chastity belt while modeling, I had to take it along. Rather than risk losing it if checked with our other bags, we decided I would carry it on. I stored the belt in a bag packed with some clothes and printed business cards for LIS.

To my relief, the X-ray machines at TSA handled it without issue at both LaGuardia (at the Marine Air Terminal for Delta Shuttle) and Chicago Midway. We actually had more trouble getting our laptop into checked luggage—we heard that you can no longer check laptops unless you are willing to waive all liability for the entire bag with Delta Airlines.

We also took other toys along in our checked bags, including floggers, canes, and cuffs. There were tags confirming they passed through security, so everything was accounted for.

The second trip had a different experience. We flew out of Newark (Terminal A) to Reno for a non-kink event, though us kinksters always bring our toys along anyway. This time I carried the belt in my hand luggage again. The TSA agent reviewing the X-ray stopped at my bag and whispered something to another agent—a younger man in his late twenties. He asked if the bag was mine and wanted to inspect it closely.

I agreed but requested a private inspection, which he allowed. I had to wait briefly for a second agent to act as a witness because I am not permitted to touch the bag during the process. A second officer arrived—an older gentleman in his early fifties—and we moved into the enclosed section.

Younger TSA Agent: Sometimes things look odd on the X-ray, so we just need to double-check them.

Myself: I understand. Aside from my clothes, there is a chastity belt and a zoom lens inside that might look unusual in the bag.

The younger agent took the belt out of the bag for a closer look at its shape.

Myself: It’s a chastity belt. I wear it to shows and for other reasons.

Younger TSA Agent: (Turning to the older agent) Is that okay? Can he bring this on board?

Older TSA Agent: Sure, no problem at all. I’ve seen one of those before.

Younger TSA Agent: OK, that’s new for me then.

Myself: Well, that is why I asked to do it privately. Kids don’t need to see this.

Younger TSA Agent: No worries, you did the right thing. The chains on it looked a bit strange in the scan. You can go now and have a nice day.

Myself: It’s funny because I went through LaGuardia and Chicago Midway without anyone asking about it.

Older TSA Agent: (Looking somewhat surprised) Really!!?!! Hmm, well perhaps it was just the angle or something. In this case, it seems to be the chains combined with all the metal.

Myself: Yeah, I can see that logic. Have a good one.

Older TSA Agent: You too.

As I walked out of the partitioned area, my wife was waiting and clearly amused; she noticed a smile on the face of the older agent. The rest of our trip to Reno went smoothly, though housekeeping probably guessed we were kinky since they left some toys visible in the room.

On the return journey at Reno/Tahoe International Airport (Gate C Checkpoint), security was similar. They stopped again when scanning my bag. I thought, here we go again. The same younger agent asked if it was mine and invited me to inspect it privately this time without needing a second witness—perhaps he was breaking protocol or just really curious about the belt.

Myself: You probably won’t believe what’s in that bag when I tell you what it is.

TSA Agent: What is it then?

Myself: A chastity belt.

TSA Agent: Ahh, cool!

He reached into the bag and pulled out a box of business cards I had accidentally left there. He held up this box as well.

TSA Agent: Here is what looks funny. It looked suspicious under the X-ray scanner. Nothing else in the bag seemed off. Do you mind if I run it through the sniffer?

Myself: Sure, no problem at all.

The agent performed the wipe test and everything was fine so I could proceed. As I left, he wished me a good day and to have fun.

It made me think that there are truly kink-aware (and possibly kinky) agents out there; it’s cool to know they get us. The moral of this experience traveling with a steel belt is to be polite, honest, and discreet. As an aside, floggers, canes (impact toys), and cuff restraints are NOT permitted in carry-on luggage because they could be used as weapons. However, there are no issues checking them. I would also advise against wearing the belt through security if you can help it; that might feel like forcing your kink on others too much, especially since my keyholder is with me.

-enigmaPOJ