HomelessScientist

I was traveling yesterday (Southwest, MDW-DEN) with some scientific equipment in my checked bag -- nothing hazardous, but possibly "interesting" on the x-ray. As I sort of expected, there was a TSA inspection note in the bag when it arrived.

As far as I can tell, nothing is missing except for my Oral-B electric toothbrush. It does contain a battery, but it's NiMH rather than lithium, so I can't see how it would have been a prohibited item. Actually, from what I can read, even lithium batteries that are installed in equipment would be OK in checked bags. Am I missing something, or is it likely that the toothbrush was just misplaced (or stolen, I guess) rather than confiscated for safety reasons?

Is there any chance of filing a claim with the TSA or the airline for this? I bought it on eBay last year for $54.

Loren Pechtel

Perfectly legit. Somebody has a new toothbrush for the price of a head.

exerda

They probably just dropped it or misplaced it when tossing your bag.

You can indeed file a claim for it, but if it's anything like the claims I've filed against TSA in the past, they will just deny it with some vague reason. You can always appeal, but it involves going to some federal court of some sort IIRC.

Still, you're not out anything if you do try to file a claim.


Or depending on the person's standard of hygiene, not even that...

FlyingUnderTheRadar

As said, given you had a TSA notice of your bag being tossed file a claim. If you have the flea-bay documentation add that to the list as well as the replacement cost. If you have the remaining parts provides images and any info on the batteries being NiMH.

Also you should note how it was packed - i.e. in a toiletry kit that had to be opened not just lose in the bag so no chance for it to fall out.

If your claim is denied for some BS reason send it to your Congress <deleted by moderator>. I had to do that. Yeah I spent more time than the $12 I got but it was the principle at that point.