When preparing for any trip that involves a flight somewhere, there is always a checklist most of us go through mentally before leaving.
Do I have my passport? Do I have the tickets? Is there someone watering the plants when I'm gone? Is everything in the house turned off? Can I really pull off wearing that purple flowery Hawaiian shirt and sandals with socks - and still look cool?
But now, thanks to social media, we have one more question to ask ourselves before heading through airport security: Did I put anything on Twitter or Facebook that could land me in trouble with Homeland Security?
A couple of U.K. travellers - Leigh Van Bryan, 26, and Emily Bunting, 24 - probably wish they had thought to ask themselves that question before heading for a trip to the U.S. recently.
Apparently before leaving, Van Bryan posted on Twitter that he was going to "destroy America" and also "dig up Marilyn Monroe's grave."
When Van Bryan and Bunting arrived at the Los Angles International Airport (LAX), the holidaymakers were swiftly apprehended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, questioned for hours, detained with a bunch of illegal immigrants, and then denied entry to the U.S.
For his part, Van Bryan tried to explain that "destroy" was just slang for "partying," while the reference to digging up Monroe's grave was from a joke on the Family Guy animated TV show.
Maybe Homeland Security isn't a big fan of the show.
This really does make me wonder how many real live terrorists or evildoers use Twitter or other social media to divulge their nefarious plans.
They would have to be the dumbest terrorists in the world.
Can you imagine?
Deth2Infidels@Twitter: I hate Mondays.
Deth2Infidels@Twitter: MMmmm cheesecake from the Olive Garden.
Deth2Infidels@Twitter: Why is Madonna the halftime show at the Super Bowl?
Deth2Infidels@Twitter: Killing all the infidels in America next week! Yay!
Deth2Infidels@Twitter: These new socks really itch.
Somehow I doubt they're catching many terrorists that way.
However, travel associations and consultants are warning people to be very careful about what they post online - even if it's in jest - because in a post-9/11 world, everything is taken seriously.
Of course, some people are just asking for it.
Last year, Paul Chambers tweeted in frustration that he would blow snow-affected Robin Hood Airport "sky high!" if it was not reopened in time for him to see his girlfriend. He received a hefty fine for the online outburst.
He should have said it was a line from Family Guy.
That excuse is bound to work at least once.
But don't let these stories make you think that travelling to the U.S. is going to be a nightmare, or you're going to end up deported to Mexico.
This past fall I went to Disneyland with my family, and as someone who has been to many airports around the world I found LAX to be the most efficient and friendly I'd ever visited.
There were no jackbooted guards, or lineups for body-cavity searches.
In fact, the customs and security screeners were smiling, helpful and the opposite of what you would expect from reading the news.
So, if you are planning a trip Stateside in the near future - don't worry, you're probably safe.
Just make sure you haven't quoted Family Guy online in the last little while.
