Most of you are probably aware of those personal smoke hoods that cost about $70.00.
It comes in a compact cylinder type container. In the event of a fire on the plane or in a hotel room, you open the vacuum sealed can and slip on the hood. You get approximately 20 minutes of breathable air, enough hopefully to get you to safety. I've been travelling with it for years and have never had a problem going through security until recently.

I was flying from Vancouver to Seattle. (This was prior to September 11th.)
When my bag went through the X-ray, the girl could not tell what the thing was. She
examined it very closely. When I told her what it was she said, "Oh, these are not allowed at all!" I showed her my passport and told her I've travelled around the world with this device and have never had a problem. She was determined not to let me take it on the plane. I asked to see a supervisor and she said, "I AM a supervisor." I explained that it cost me almost $100.00 and that I refuse to let her take it from me. Furthermore, I said I refuse to board the plance without it!

She showed it to all the other security personel at the check point, all of whom looked at it suspiciously. I demanded that she call a higher authority. Finally, a security person from Air Canada came by, looked at it and said I could take it on the plane.

But I know all too well, that if I travel with it again, I'll have problems. It cannot be opened without being ruined. (The vacuum seal keeps it fresh.) Just think of how many nail clippers I could hide inside of it!!




[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 09-23-2001).]