It would be SO-O-O helpful if all the TSA's were reading off the same sheet of music!

I had a portable curling iron that I travelled with pre-9/11. (It used butane fuel cells and an enclosed flame to heat.) Following 9/11, I would put the fuel cells in checked luggage (given the type, they were checkable) but would still carry the curling iron (with out any fuel cells in the case or in the iron) in my carry on. About 6 weeks ago, I had a TSA tell me I had to toss it, it was a prohibited item. I argued myself blue in the face and even called the supervisor in on it, but they wouldn't budge. The argument given was that it was possible there was still some fuel in it so I could still light it and use it in-flight. I argued that there was no way to do that, since it had to have the fuel cell to light at all and I'd be happy to demonstrate that.

No soap. It had to be tossed. I bought a new one at my destination and defiantly CARRIED it home. No problems.