In the US, we all know the rules about liquids and laptops and nailclippers or whatever. I haven't had anything taken from me at a US airport since I forgot about a novelty cig lighter that was in my pocket in Orlando a few years ago.

But on a recent trip through Istanbul, a small metal tape measure, 12 footer, was confiscated. That tape measure had been in my always with me carry on business case for years. It had passed through security in at least 100 airports in at least a dozen countries. But in Istanbul, it was an absolutely forbidden object. There was no question about what it was. They knew exactly what it was and I was not allowed to carry it through security."OK, if you don't let me into the cockpit, I will start measuring passengers."

What strange things have you had taken from you at security screening?

I went on a college graduation trip to Europe with a friend. We brought our rollerblades and a hockey stick, so we could play hockey in Kensington Gardens. We dumped the sticks before leaving London and eventually returned to the USA via CDG. At CDG they confiscated my small allen wrench. Not too unreasonable even though it was small and no more dangerous than a toothbrush. But they also confiscated several pairs of newly bought axles and screws for my rollerblade wheels. How am I supposedy to do any damage with a tiny axel and screw?

I'm sure there is someone out there who's life has been dramatically changed due to a screw

Yes, but was it a rollerblade screw?

Cheese. I REALLY don't get that even soft cheese is, as CDG security staff told me, a liquid. Also an issue in the US too apparently.

A co-worker and I were coming back from DEN and had all sorts of installation stuff with us...wires, wire cutters, screw drivers, box cutters etc. What did they confiscate? My little bottle of hotel shampoo!

Feel safe yet??????

NRT - my daughter's tiny, child-sized, blunt-ended craft scissors.

DXB - Dubai's finest in a mere four visits have taken a laser pointer, a pen-sized flashlight, a fancy brand-name European pen with presentation box given to me as a gift, a pair of braces (suspenders), a silver cigarette case, a bola tie, a box of Cracker Jax, and set of blank CDs.

IND - TSa inspections stole the cleaning set out of a gun case that they inspected out of my sight down in baggage.

BKK - A set of tiny screwdrivers suitable for repairing glasses.

PHX - A box of taffy "because it is a liquid".

Once I happened to have a small judge's gavel my son had won at a Model UN competition in my bag and they took it. I was really upset over this, he had worked hard to win this.

On another occasion they confiscated a set of metal toy swords the size of toothpicks that I'd bought in Spain for my other son. Again, I was very upset.

When I moved from BOS to SEA my roommate (who was very into wood working) made me a muddler. It made it through security twice but the third time the geniuses at ORD decided that it was a weapon. Luckily they had one of those kiosks where you can ship yourself stuff so I was able to send it to my destination. They really need to require those kiosks at all TSA stations.

Mind you - I had (and always do have) multiple sharp steel pens in my bag that I'm sure could be used as weapons. But those weren't issues. The small piece of wood, however, was. Maybe I could distract a dog with it?

Please continue the thread as it moves to the Practical Travel Safety Issues forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

In the US, of course, the TSA has never, ever confiscated anything. Passengers have, of course, voluntarily surrendered numerous items.

TSA likes to remove aerosol glass cleaner from my checked bag on a few occasions. I asked what is the difference between this and deodorant and get no responce.

I've never had anything taken from my cabin baggage and only locks from my checked (while making a lot of mess in the bag). They have tried to take stuff from me (water bottle at HKG which I'd gotten 2 minutes before at The Wing, aloe spray at MCO), I've never let them.
Got stopped at the US bound gate check in HKG. I stopped on the side and drank the water.
In MCO, they saw the spray on the xray, called a bag check and pulled it out. TSO said I couldn't have it as it was too big (4.5oz). I said I needed it, it's for my sun burn. TSO got sup who took one look at me and said ok.

I'm told that CDG tried to take some plastic cutlery from my parents who then counted with “um... they’ll just give us more on the plane...”

Sealed solid bar soap

We had to relinquish baby food for awhile.. nowadays we seem to be able to keep most of it intact..