Clothing Security tag left on skirt, issue at airport?

December 20, 2015 10:48 AM

First world problem: Went to go pack for Holiday flight today. Opened an order I placed from Macy's.com and somebody left the hard tag sensor on it... sigh. I don't have time to take skirt and receipt into the store before flight. Can I pack this in my bag I'm checking so I can bring it into Macy's when I get there? Or do you think it will set off some kind of security thing when they scan it? I'm overthinking, as usual! Pic attached

This is the tag they left on. Worried when TSA scans my checked bag, or do whatever safety magic they do once you drop it, that it will set something off or seem sketchy. I really wanted to wear this! :(
giant tag giant tag 2

Should I leave it at home?

posted by twoforty5am to Travel & Transportation (10 answers total)

I think you'd be just fine flying with it. I know when I fly with wrapped gifts in my checked baggage, I watch them go through the security screen at the airport. Perhaps the airport you're flying at will let you do that.
posted by notjustthefish at 10:50 AM on December 20, 2015

Best answer: You'll be fine. One security system (TSA, etc.) has nothing to do with the other (Macy's inventory control.) Their scanners don't work the same way because they are looking for radically different things. TSA is detecting metal, trace chemicals (depending on what they're using to scan you/your luggage/carry-on), and such. Macy's scanner is detecting specific electronic tags that reply to its scanners' radio signal. In the former, the TSA is scanning for a million different things of different shapes and sizes, not including your tag. Macy's is scanning for tags and only tags, and only specific Macy's tags (to the degree that's possible while using a mass-produced tag that any shop can use).

Note that the Macy's tag may set off other clothing store sensors-- those security tags are an off-the-shelf product for a lot of retailers. Likewise it's a toss-up whether a Macy's in one city has matching tags with a Macy's in another city.

Check youtube and see if you can find one of the many youtube videos about removing security tags that applies to tags that look like yours. Tags one in just a couple of ways-- some are simple to defeat (and comparably cheap for the store), while others aren't. Do you happen to recall how it is opened from when you've seen them do it in the store? Did they use a wand or place it on a specific spot on their counter? You've got a magnetic tag. Did they poke something into the tag? You may be able to replicate that something.

Other online "lifting" resources may be useful for this as well.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:05 AM on December 20, 2015 [6 favorites]

Note that the Macy's tag may set off other clothing store sensors

If this was sent from a central warehouse then I imagine the sensors are universal at all Macy's. In college I worked at JCP and would receive the new shipments of merchandise. Everything that needed a security sensor came with one on. Assuming this is a standard retail practice, any Macy's should be able to remove the tag with a receipt.
posted by toomanycurls at 11:22 AM on December 20, 2015

I would staple the receipt to the store tag on the skirt, so anyone seeing it if they open your bag will have proof you're not a thief. Whenever I try to return anything, I always tape the receipt to it on the way into the store, or if passing anywhere law enforcement might think to get nosey. I have brown skin so I have to take extra precautions like this to avoid accusation or attitude (which frankly I often get anyway).
posted by pseudostrabismus at 11:54 AM on December 20, 2015 [15 favorites]

You should be fine. Airport security is worried about threats, not petty crime.
posted by troytroy at 12:03 PM on December 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks guys! I was more worried about the wiring setting off something through security. never even thought that about stealing thing but good idea about stapling receipt for when I bring it into store. And figured any Macy's could remove the tag. I just wasn't sure if it would be flagged for safety or something. Thanks!!!
posted by twoforty5am at 12:16 PM on December 20, 2015

Don't forget, the alarm will probably go off when you walk into Macy's. So be prepared to be looked at like a shoplifter!
posted by cecic at 1:19 PM on December 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Seconding that, and if there's a security person by the entrance, approach them proactively, and maybe get their attention before you set off the alarm.
posted by Sunburnt at 1:22 PM on December 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

When you go to Macy's, don't feel terrible about setting the alarm off. I've worked retail; there were dozens of alarms set off due to an employee forgetting to remove a tag. It's in no way a big deal.
posted by SMPA at 1:57 PM on December 20, 2015 [4 favorites]

Some of those tags have dye in them. I'd worry about the pressure changes making it leak. I would not worry about TSA.
posted by Kriesa at 3:55 PM on December 20, 2015 [7 favorites]