Arizona Coming Home: TSA Stole My Shoe

Departure Saturday had arrived.  We woke in the morning to make the 2 hour drive back to Phoenix from Oakcreek Village to drop off the rental car and head to the airport.  Other than a major road rage incident between two drivers that had me a bit nervous, the drive was uneventful. There is one note I would like to make regarding gas stations in the area.  There were three gas stations in Oakcreek Village.  The Circle K had no unleaded gasoline for the seven day duration of our trip.  The Speedway that was very close to our condo, ran out of gas on the second day of our trip.  I was notified that they were waiting for a delivery truck.  We checked several times through out the week.  That delivery never came.  Luckily, the Chevon had gasoline so it was our primary fill up location.  We filled up the night before we left knowing I would want to top off the tank before returning the car.  To no surprise of anyone, the only gas station that was available close to the rental car return was over $6 a gallon. Ouch!  Returning the car was simple as was taking the train shuttle to the airport and checking in our luggage, but then it got interesting.  

After walking past the drug dogs, my daughter and I hit that awkward TSA area of what to pull out of our bags for screening.  We followed the TSA agents instruction to leave everything in the bags and remove our shoes and place them directly on the belt.  The agent was very direct and very clear in his instruction, especially when questioned that tablets and laptops don't need to come out.  We walked through the scanner and were promptly told that all of our bags, and everyone else in line with us who left a tablet or laptop in their bag had to wait to have an agent inspect their bags.  "You should all know that you need to take your electronics out of your bag." she bellowed.  The woman ahead of us and the woman behind us separately suggested that she tell the other agent because he is telling everyone to leave everything in their bags.  The agent had no response and continued her work of watching the results of the x-ray machine scanning our carry-ons, jackets and shoes.  Many bags were getting pulled for a personal inspection backing up the belt a bit. Then I saw my daughters sweatshirt and shoes and mine would be next.  But then only one of my shoes emerged from the mouth of the machine so I waited.  It must has gotten caught up inside and needed a little nudge.  But then the person behind me had their items come through and no shoe.  I continued to watch the machine waiting for my shoe to escape, but it never did.  My bag was called for inspection and I explained to the agent that only one of my shoes came out.  He was surprised. After inspecting and only finding my tablet in my backpack, he walked over to the machine.  I watched him look around the belt, on the floor and speak to the agent watching the scanning machine.  He returned to me empty handed.  He suggested that I go to TSA security and ask them to replay the security footage. Wow security footage of a shoe!  I walked over to TSA security and explained my plight holding up my one lonely shoe almost giggling at the ridiculousness of the situation.  "That's a new one" the agent kindly quipped as he walked toward the machine I had pointed out.  "Only you Mom." Christina chided as she took a photo of me with one shoe to the family back in Ohio.

The officer returned to me shoeless questioning whether I put both shoes in the machine.  "Where else would have I put it?" I wondered, but my response was "Yes sir."  He walked back to the machine and talked to both agents and looking all around for my shoe.  He returned again, empty handed.  Then we headed to the video screens to review the tape.  He again asked if I put two shoes in the machine.  I was beginning to doubt myself at this point. He returned to the security area where the kidnapping took place.  Still finding the situation funny instead of frustrating, I had come to terms with wearing my socks through the airport, on the plane and to the walk to my car parking at the Cleveland Airport.  Then I looked up the see the officer marching across the security area with my shoe held above the his head. He had explained to us that it had fallen to the floor and was oddly position under the scanning agents chair where no one could see it at a glance. I thanked the officer and we all had a good laugh as we parted ways and Christina and I headed to the plane. 

The rest of our return journey to our home near Cleveland, Ohio was uneventful.  I was looking forward to resting up from our week long adventure and slept almost 2 full days upon my return. It was a fantastic trip. To be honest, I was almost a little disappointed that they found my shoe.  It would have made a great ending to our Girl's Trip to Arizona!