I won't mention the airport .... but I recently gave 4 bottles of wine to a helpful agent. for me, ^ for her. The bottles had been bought duty free and carried into the country. However, I then had to overnight at an airport here in the US due to a canceled flight and knew that I could not carry them thru security the next morning.

And I certainly was not going to drink a whole bottle (much less 4!) in my hotel room that night.

A few years ago I left my Swiss Army Knife in my carry-on instead of my checked luggage when travelling domestic in China. The security people picked it up. I handed it as a gift to my driver who had accompanied me as far as the security check point.
He was thrilled and the checkpoint staff thought it was an excellent idea in view of all the smiles they gave me.

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There are things that are "gate checked" on arrival at the check in gate such as baby strollers and are brought up the jetway to the passenger on arrival. Usually items for childrens care are treated this way and you do not have to go to baggage claim to retrieve them.

Has anybody ever had a TSA goon try to steal property by claiming it's not allowed in checked baggage?

I know someone who was relieved of a pack of fresh batteries at ORD in 1997 by a rent-a-goon doing just that.

If it were me in that position, I would insist on going back to put the item in my car in long-term parking. If my car's not at the airport or I don't have time, I'd just wrap the item in a bunch of dirty socks or simply throw it away (rather than let a TSA goon enjoy my iPod).

What does a half bottom of water look like as opposed to a whole bottom of water? And just what is a bottom of water. Do you have a picture?

Forgot to remind my son to take only 3 oz. bottles when he came to visit. He usually travels with his family and must pay through the nose to check in a couple of 26" suitcases. He was very busy at work and just didn't read the rules before getting to the airport. I felt bad for the waste-he's on a tight budget. Next time I'll try to persuade him not to be so law abiding. These are the people who are being punished by those %#%*# terrorists who have changed our way of living.

half bottle. Just an odd typo.

Its the water bottles you get at hotels. I usually have a half one left, so I put it in my carryon.

Once the TSO sees the evil h2o, they are satisfied they found something and are more likely to miss something else that I may have missed.

Plus it annoys them which makes me smile a bit.

LOL. Pre 9/11 I carried a small metal fork, spoon and a 4 inch paring knife with cover similar to this one in my carry on for canned goods, carry out meals and to carve meat and cheese to make sandwichs in the hotel room.

Of course after 9/11 when I '"de-weaponized" my carry on (about 1/3 of the total weight ) I had to leave my knife at home if I had no checked bag and buy one at destination every trip, then leave it behind. (89 cents USD exchange rate at a BKK supermarket ^)

After a while I noticed I had not seen my black handled knife for a couple years. Finally after tearing apart my carry on bag, I found it. I realized it had taken at least one trip to Asia, including connecting thru NRT, without me knowing it was there or TSA or their counterparts ever finding it. Made me realize what a joke the Security Theater is.

Not that such a knife is a hijack weapon after Flight 93, but the TSA emphasis on confiscating grandpa's pen knife and nail clippers with 1 inch files shows their wrong emphaiss on finding things, not finding terrorists. While unknowingly carrying an illegal knife, it never once tempted me to hijack the plane.

To be more exact, TSA is punishing us, rather than punishing terrorists. The terrorists are at best only indirectly punishing us.

Buffalo Transit Cop Accused of Taking Home Confiscated TSA Items

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/01/2...ted-tsa-items/

Some stuff gets returned??? Has anybody here ever gotten anything back?

http://people.howstuffworks.com/weap...at-airport.htm

They feel bad that they need to investigate? But no regret that the guy may have been stealing from passengers.

And hands up, who's surprised he's still on duty?

"I am Jack's Complete Lack of Surprise."

That's gross! Why would he take (presumably) USED grooming items from the unwashed masses? If he truly has piles of people's fungus- or blood-contaminated nail clippers sitting around his house, it sounds like more of a compulsory behavior than anything. Then again, it's also possible the news article withheld the pricier items along with the schmuck's name.

Vomit.

You'd think a BDO could SPOT someone with OCD.