A family recently gained internet fame after the husband faced repeated security checks for carrying “suspicious” items through airport security.
What were these items? Spices and workout powder—definitely not your usual carry-ons, but they did raise a few eyebrows at the airport.
“And neurotic,” joked his wife, highlighting his decision to bring his own spices on vacation.
Diving into yet another incident during a recent trip, Thomas Friedman pulled out her phone, humorously calling out her husband in a video that has since garnered over 168,000 likes on her Instagram (@nataliethomasfriedman) since its July 9 post.
The clip featured airport personnel testing an item from his bag while he attempted to explain himself, much to the amusement—and disinterest—of their kids. It cut to another security mishap where the family encountered more questions.
Writer Thomas Friedman chimed in on the video: “Last year, my husband was stopped for his spices; this year, it was his workout powder.”
Instagram @nataliethomasfriedman
She added in her caption: “He swore he didn’t bring his ultra-rare sea salt, but he forgot to mention the Ironman powder.”
Thomas shared that her husband is quite the chef, often cooking for the family during vacations. However, she was completely unaware he packed his own spice blends this time. Despite being teased and claiming he’d never do it again, a year later, he made the same mistake.
“I specifically asked him if he brought spices, and he said no. Turns out, he packed protein powder instead,” she recounted.
This time, their children—aged 11 and 7—joined in the fun, with their daughter exclaiming, “Not again!” and their son bombarding him with questions about the mysterious powder and his bag’s fate.
“I just rolled my eyes and recorded the moment. My followers needed to witness this ridiculousness,” Thomas said.
Responses poured in on Instagram, with the video racking up over 10.5 million views. One viewer expressed appreciation for the spice journey, while others shared their own airport quirks involving sugar and trail mix.
Instagram @nataliethomasfriedman
In hindsight, had Thomas known what her husband was packing, she might have advised leaving it at home or at least stowing it in checked luggage.
“Initially, I thought they were pulling out some forgotten water bottle; I was shocked to see a gallon Ziploc bag filled with spices!”
Friedman, being a good sport, welcomed the sharing of their story online, mentioning, “We never anticipated such a response.”
“I aim to bring a little joy to everyone, especially in these hectic times,” she shared. “We’re thrilled our experiences sparked conversations and brightened people’s days.”
Traveling can be chaotic, from long lines to unexpected delays. According to Statista, airline satisfaction in 2024 rested at around 77 percent.