Originally Posted by FemaleFlyer
Bad first: missed my flight in early 2002 because of the huge security line at IAH and the fact that I had manicure scissors in my carry-on. I would have made the flight if it hadn't been for the manicure scissors.
Good: I went through screening many times after 09/11 with a leatherman tool that Continental had provided me for being a beta tester on their new website. I didn't even realize that it was still in my bag, because I had not had the need to use it. It was just something that stayed in my bag all the time. However, it was caught in IAH Terminal C, and the guy was nice enough to hold it for me and watch my bags while I went to get an envelope and postage to send it back. It has Continental's logo on it, and I figure it may be a collectors' item in the future (because I doubt many airlines will be handing out leatherman tools post-9/11).
The manicure scissors are the overkill part of the prohibited items list, and I hope that these will soon become permitted items. Same holds true of the baby Swiss Army knives with the small blades.
Disagree about holding anything that belongs to passengers. I never do it. Seen too many people get burned either holding something that was never reclaimed and/or the passenger come back and claim either that wasn't the item they left behind or that there was some imaginary damage to their item. I try to be as courteous as possible with passengers in many areas; however, when it comes to prohibited items, I play it strictly down the center and give them the option of either leaving the checkpoint to divest the item (check it in baggage, mail it, give the item to a non-travelling companion or take it back to their car) or surrender the item to us. I never offer to hold it for them even if they aren't travelling. The liability is not worth it.
To fellow TSA screeners: when you hold an item for someone, you have deviated from the SOP and assume full personal responsibility. TSA is not going to back you up should anything occur to complicate the situation because you simply are not supposed to hold prohibited items for anybody.
The options are quite clear. It's all your choice, but even holding the item and not having it stored inside the amnesty/prohibited items box already puts you in violation of standard procedure. Something for you to think about.