A Spoonful Of Sugar Helps The Medicine Get Tested

Airport, Awesome, Inspirational, Security, USA | Right | March 12, 2021

For a while, I have to travel with a dietary supplement that my doctor suggested, but the packaging is enormous, so I’ve moved some into a smaller container. I travel a lot, and at each airport, my bag gets pulled for the strange container of orange powder that I’m carrying. This is fine with me; I travel a lot, understand security procedures, and always leave myself enough time to get through security.

One day, after travelling through several airports in just a few days, I see a friendly-looking TSA agent pull my bag and beat him to it.

TSA Agent: “Is this your bag?”

Me: “Yep, it’s mine; you can go ahead and open it.”

TSA Agent: *Slightly surprised smile*

I start following the script of questions I know are coming.

Me: “There’s nothing sharp, dangerous, or breakable in there, so you can open it. You’re probably looking for a container of funny-looking powder. It’s a dietary supplement my doctor recommended, and you have permission to test it.”

His surprised smile has grown as I’ve been talking, making me grin, too.

Me: “I travel a lot, so I’m pretty good at this!”

TSA Agent: “I noticed! I finished testing it; it’s all good. Have a good day!”

Me: “You, too! Thanks!”

This interaction made my day! When you’re calm, kind, and patient, you can get people in even high-stress jobs to laugh with you a bit. Be nice!

This story is part of our Feel Good roundup for March 2021!