Don:

It's interesting to note that we have carried nail clippers - the big ones at that - through airport security dozens of times with no problems. We have also carried two huge brass bells in our carry on luggage six times without question until the last time. That time the inspector opened one of our suitcases to examine the bell and the other one of us just said mine's the same and there was no visual examination. But we had to have our shoes X-rayed that time. Go figure.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the procedure and it's different every time even at the same airport. We guess this is a good thing as it keeps you guessing if you're up to no good.

Bev and Jerry