Originally Posted by TSORon

We don’t “seize” these things, the passenger is given several options on how they would like to take care of the items. Ranging from walking them away from the sterile area, to placing them in checked baggage, to abandoning them to the TSA. Only one option ends up with the TSA having to dispose of the items, and if they are hazardous materials then they are disposed of in accordance with the EPA’s requirements.



TSA does not have the authority to detain people. Nor do we have the ability at the checkpoints to analyze the contents of most items coming through. And we would not even if we did. Current technology does not allow for a full analysis of substances in the checkpoint environment or in the time constraints available.