In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has overseen extensive security checks of passengers at U.S. airports. Part of this can involve going through a metal detector. But for TikToker Sire (@sirevssiri), things weren’t as simple as that.
The viral clip consisted of Sire walking through the airport. She was wearing head-to-toe jewelry, including extensive hair jewelry, which, presumably, is difficult to remove.
“Y’all I’m at the airport, and I just realized, bro, I’m really TSA’s worst nightmare, like, imagine you just see me coming through,” she said. “Like, the f—? That [metal detector] is going all the way the f— off from head to toe. Like, and this s—, I can’t take this s— out, so, what we doing?”
The video has garnered 2.4 million views.
How Did Commenters React?
Generally, commenters weren’t impressed by Sire’s airport get-up. “Why would you put that on if you know you’re off to the airport?” one asked. “The fact I know you didn’t sleep like this, you chose to get ready like that before traveling,” a second posited.
“Okay,” a third chimed in. “So while this looks cool as f–k, unless you go to bed in all that and it’s like IN your hair… ie whatever you added to go to the airport was unnecessary. The runway is for the plane not you.”
And a fourth admitted, “Honestly sis..I’m tapping you on the shoulder and asking if I can go before you.”
Several commenters also brought up the recent TSA strikes, with a fifth saying: “They ain’t even getting paid right now and you doing this to them.”
The TikToker Issued Updates
Sire updated viewers on the situation through various follow-up videos. In one, she revealed that she managed to get through TSA and was given three scans and a pat-down. As part of this video, Sire also shared comments from the post on her Instagram. Commenters were insulting her and calling her slurs.
In another, she responded to a commenter arguing that this was unsuitable for the airport by saying, “Okay, so hear me out, right? If I dress like this everyday, right, why would I not dress like this going to the airport? I just always have my hair done up.”
She later added, “Like, if I’m being honest, I don’t even know how I would even change it up. Like, I don’t even have no real hairstyle that I could just wear to the airport, like all of my hairstyles is jeweled up like, so it’s like, regardless, it was going to happen one way or another.”
Sire also revealed that it took her “less than five minutes” to go through security.
In a final follow-up, she filmed herself before going through airport security and later on a plane, presumably for her flight home. She also complimented the TSA lady who dealt with her.
Do You Have To Remove Jewelry To Get Through TSA?
According to jewelry website Atolea, you don’t necessarily have to remove jewelry for the metal detector. But this does come with some caveats. The site reports that, per the TSA guidelines, smaller pieces like rings and earrings don’t set off metal detectors. However, the site adds that bigger/more elaborate pieces will reportedly make the detector go off. This means that you might be asked to remove them.
Ultimately, airport security can be intense, especially if you are chosen at random for a more enhanced check. However, non-removable jewelry isn’t a barrier for people at an airport—at worst, it is slightly inconvenient. Still, to avoid issues, it is worth noting that it is possible to opt out of a full-body scan. You can choose to have a pat-down instead.
The TSA didn’t immediately respond to BroBible’s request for comment via email. Sire didn’t immediately respond to BroBible’s request for comment via Instagram direct message.
