Originally Posted by
gsoltso
For the record, the
original blog post gives the official position on Nitro meds. The
What Can I Bring page gives a result that Nitro is allowed in checked and Carryon bags. Any time that is not followed, absent any indications that the medication has been altered to present a possible threat, is wrong. It has been stated here and at the Blog - repeatedly. If someone tells you that nitro meds are not allowed, they are wrong. Just like if this scenario played out like the OP says, and these items were not allowed into the sterile area in the absence of some alteration that presents a possible threat, would be wrong.
The current 'What Can I Bring' page notes that the screener has the final say on whether or not medical nitroglycerine is allowed or confiscated.
More importantly, the blog post did not cite the regulation banning certain substances that TSA (all the way up to suits) used as justification for confiscating my nitroglycerine pills. I have seen nothing to indicate that that regulation is no longer in force or has been changed to exempt medical nitroglycerine.
eta: this is an excerpt from the relevant post. It was posted in December by
saizai in response to a post by
gsoltso. Apologies for the format - I don't know how to link to an old post. (bolding mine)
That is an (alleged) interpretive rule, not a regulation. It interprets 49 CFR 1540.111 (which bans "a weapon, explosive, or incendiary", as well as firearms and ammo in some cases).
TSA's "interpretation" says this:
"Weapons. Weapons are objects that may be used to attack another. TSA considers an item to be a weapon under
49 CFR 1540.111 if it is created for use as a weapon or is so similar to an item created as a weapon that it appears to be, or is easily used as, a weapon.
Weapons include firearms, as well as realistic replicas of firearms that may reasonably be thought to be actual weapons. Such realistic replicas are prohibited because their similarity in appearance to real weapons may allow them to be used to intimidate passengers and flight crew. The screener has the discretion to determine when a replica is so realistic that it should be prohibited. Other toy weapons will be allowed in the sterile areas and cabin....
Explosives. Explosives are substances that explode or cause an explosion. While many explosives may have commercial uses, they clearly could be used to damage an aircraft or against passengers and flight crew members. Examples include dynamite, plastic explosives, blasting caps, fireworks, flares, gunpowder, hand grenades, and ammunition for firearms. Realistic replicas of explosive devices are prohibited for the same reasons that realistic weapons are prohibited: They can be effective in intimidating crew and passengers.