TSA confiscating forbidden items
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
TSA confiscating forbidden items
Screeners at several sites insist that the TSA always gives passengers options on disposal of forbidden items. I think I have seen that happen only once or twice and that's when traffic has been slow. Most of the time, the item is removed from the bag without so much as a "by your leave" and tossed into the garbage.
What's your experience?
What's your experience?
#2
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I don't want to come across as a defender of the TSA's policies, but this is one area in which I wonder whether passengers overstate their case.
In my experience (since you asked), I have never had an item "confiscated" by the TSA, but the only "prohibited" item I've attempted to take through the checkpoint has been the forgotten bottle of water, which I don't mind relinquishing.
If it were an item of consequence (something expensive and/or important), I'd certainly insist upon having it returned to me so that I can put it in my carry-on and have the bag checked, but I prefer to do this before reaching the checkpoint to avoid the hassle.
I'd be most interested to hear from those who tried to pass through the checkpoint with an item that the TSA prohibited but were not allowed to go back and check/store/dispense of the item, because that clearly fits the definition of "confiscated."
In my experience (since you asked), I have never had an item "confiscated" by the TSA, but the only "prohibited" item I've attempted to take through the checkpoint has been the forgotten bottle of water, which I don't mind relinquishing.
If it were an item of consequence (something expensive and/or important), I'd certainly insist upon having it returned to me so that I can put it in my carry-on and have the bag checked, but I prefer to do this before reaching the checkpoint to avoid the hassle.
I'd be most interested to hear from those who tried to pass through the checkpoint with an item that the TSA prohibited but were not allowed to go back and check/store/dispense of the item, because that clearly fits the definition of "confiscated."
#3
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
I routinely forget sodas/water that I need to have handy for medicine. I have, on rare occasions, forgotten things like a weatherman, small pocket knife, tools, etc. TSA has always given me the option to go out and check it/mail it or they would "dispose of it" for me.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
They let me drink a bottle of water I forgot about at STL. At LGA, I think, I brought shaving cream. I said, well here better safe than sorry. Never saw a trash bin. For all I know someone got some free shaves.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
I had a set of drill bits at PDX. Less than the length of prohibited tools but they would not allow them through nonetheless. The agent said I could dispose of them, go back and check in the bag or mail them instead. He even gave me an appropriate sized pre-printed USPS envelope with a space for my credit card number for the postage, a pen to address it and pointed me to the mail bin less than 10 feet away, put there for this exact purpose. Cost a couple of dollars and it arrived in 2 days. So yes, they do give you a choice.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat75, MR Plat, UA Silver, GE/NEXUS
Posts: 177
The worst part is the inconsistency. Flying with the exact same items for months and suddenly they're not allowed. Last week I had cuticle scissors taken that have been in my carry-on toiletry bag since buying them in November in Thailand. The agent said "these are very dangerous" Never have I gone back landside and checked a bag. I figure I'll just get new cuticle scissors every 6 months, as will the TSA agent
#9
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 416
The worst part is the inconsistency. Flying with the exact same items for months and suddenly they're not allowed. Last week I had cuticle scissors taken that have been in my carry-on toiletry bag since buying them in November in Thailand. The agent said "these are very dangerous" Never have I gone back landside and checked a bag. I figure I'll just get new cuticle scissors every 6 months, as will the TSA agent
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago 'burbs
Programs: UA 2P, HHonors Diamond, Hertz Gold
Posts: 873
that's stupid. I looked on their site and it says shorter than 4 inches are allowed in checked, but none in carry on. Here we can take scissors shorder than 6cm in carryon. why can't everyone have the same rules? when I was in sumatra, I was allowed any liquids through, the shop was even next to security, they didn't care.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
Always wondered about consistency.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
In the USA are there (m)any airports that have mail boxes landside? [I think one of their fears is that an explosive device can be deposited--since there is NO landside security.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: KWI
Programs: I travel for fun these days.
Posts: 383
Never anything taken without permission.
I grew up always having a small folding pocket knife in my pocket. After 9/11, I have lost so many small pocket knives that I don't even bother carrying one anymore. Likewise with corkscrews, a dozen of those are somewhere in the TSA/EU/AUS/Thai airport security bowels of contraband.
Never have I ever had any agent take something without asking. They identify it, ask me if I would like to go back and check it, and then offer to dispose of it for me when I let them.
Never have I ever had any agent take something without asking. They identify it, ask me if I would like to go back and check it, and then offer to dispose of it for me when I let them.
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,668
IIRC, SEA has at least one mailbox landside, right across from a checkpoint.
I was told (when I went looking for one and asked) that there are landside mail boxes at ATL. There supposedly used to be a mailbox airside in the international terminal but it was moved for security reasons.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
2 data points.
IIRC, SEA has at least one mailbox landside, right across from a checkpoint.
I was told (when I went looking for one and asked) that there are landside mail boxes at ATL. There supposedly used to be a mailbox airside in the international terminal but it was moved for security reasons.
IIRC, SEA has at least one mailbox landside, right across from a checkpoint.
I was told (when I went looking for one and asked) that there are landside mail boxes at ATL. There supposedly used to be a mailbox airside in the international terminal but it was moved for security reasons.