Add the name Corinne Theile to the short but growing list of those who faced TSA inspectors but came out smelling like roses.
Ms. Theile, from Hollywood, CA, has found a solution to intrusive TSA pat-downs by wearing a bikini to the airport. The attractive marketing consultant, who works in the food and beverage industry in Los Angeles, showed up at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) early on Wednesday, November 24 dressed in a simple black two-piece swimsuit under her black coat, while smiling radiantly at airport security screeners.
Theile told NBC about her airport experience on the day of the anemic national TSA screening opt out that turned out to be a non event. “The woman looked at me and said, ‘Girl, you wearing a bikini. Come right through,'” said the 31-year-old, a graduate of American University inWashington, DC. “She had a big smile on her face. I think this might be the way I travel from here on out,”Ms. Theile added.
Actually, we all have a big smile on our faces. Traveling through airports may just be fun once again.
Anytime you match a beautiful woman with a lovely smile, who just happens to be wearing a bikini that leaves nothing to the imagination, against airport screeners who have seen it all, it turns out to be no contest. Bikini 1, TSA 0. End of game.
As Ms. Theile told a TV reporter, “It’s not that I’m concerned, it’s that I feel like the TSA is making travelers feel uncomfortable, and I feel like we can have security measures that don’t make people feel uncomfortable.”
Theile lists her specialties as international marketing, partnership marketing, retail programming, media buying, event sponsorship, and field marketing. To that list, she could easily add “thinking outside the box,” “charming airport security staff,” and “looking smashing in a bikini.” There may even be a marketing campaign brewing around this theme.
When not coping with airport security, Theile competes in triathlon races. On her MySpace profile her screen name is “Ironman Corinne,” which indicates her competitive spirit and zest for life. Here’s a person who is “all in”100% of the time. “If God invented marathons to keep people from doing anything more stupid, the triathlon must have taken him completely by surprise,” is her lead quote.
Travel light, and ladies, get out your own bikinis. Guys, I’m sorry, but that’s the best advice I have to offer. Just don’t substitute Calvin Klein cycle briefs for bikinis. That’s already been tried at San Diego International Airport with less than favorable results.