A few weeks ago I lamented my encounter with the TSA folks at Philadelphia Int. Airport...and of their suspicion and swabbing of my Morse Albion.

This past weekend I was leaving Manchester New Hampshire with my box and thought I'd use some of the suggestions you folks provided...especially the one about telling them "that black box contains a small accordian" BEFORE the scanner.

Well...even before I made it up the scanner...I was pulled from the line and asked by a TSA agent in a soft voice "Sir, can I ask what you're carrying in the box?" "A small accordian" I said. His totally serious response "Oh, right....I thought perhaps they were someone's ashes." He was quite happy to hear about my playing in a band...doing a gig etc.

Now comes the scanner. Before I put the box on the belt I announced "Sir, this black box contains a small accordian." He says "what did you do WASH it? That's a VERY small accordian...and I ought to know because I PLAY 'em!" YES!!!! I was thrilled to say "actually it's a English concertina." He said "I know exactly what that is....but I play the big boys!" He took a bit of pride is telling me that bit. We chatted about our music, our boxes and then off I went! No swabbing!

Thank you Manchester NH!

Manchester screeners probably see more than the usual number of squeezeboxes, what with people coming in for the NESI, NEFFA, various Morris events. I've been through there several times in recent years with no problems.

Now Washington's National airport is a different story...

For a multitude of reasons!

Yay! Let's hear it for sane TSA employees! (although the bit about the ashes made me laugh)

Had a similar experience a couple of weeks ago. Got the full swab treatment flying out of Toronto. Got asked to play a tune returning from Deer Lake, Newfoundland.

Good for you Bill...

I once offered to play a tune...and the TSA guy said "no thanks." Ouch! I'm not THAT bloody awful.

Well, I'm a rank beginner, but having just finished a week-long music camp, I was able to squeeze out a passable version of "Squid Jigging Ground". Can't go wrong with that in Newfoundland!

Who was running the music camp in Newfoundland?

There is already a tune called "Lugging the box" , but this sounds like a great name for a tune as well -
"Swabbing the box".

The Camp Director is Eric West, a very fine guitarist and owner of Vinland Music, which promotes and publishes traditional Newfoundland music. The camp has been running annually since 2000. It's held at a 1920s logging camp-turned-summer-camp in Gros Morne National Park, on the west coast of Newfoundland.

The teachers were a who's who of Newfoundland musicians, with instruction in fiddle, mandolin, accordion, tin whistle, voice, story telling and dance. There wasn't any concertina instruction, but the accordion teacher (Daniel Payne) was very encouraging, and much of what I learned on button accordion was very transferable. I learned a lot about bellows control, and keeping arms, hands and shoulders relaxed, which has really improved my playing. It was also a very supportive environment in which to overcome nervousness about playing in public.