Some TSOs are getting cold feet
Jan 2, 2012, 1:44 pm
#1
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Some TSOs are getting cold feet
This picture is from a friend whose flight left Arcata/Eureka Airport (ACV) this morning. The foot warmers had been removed from the suitcase, and this note was left. I checked the TSA website, and there seems to be nothing prohibited about these items, even when you consider looser definitions of some of the prohibited items. Upon further research provided in post #4, it would seem these were incorrectly removed.
On a side note, I also like the paragraph about lighters being prohibited in carry-on luggage. It would be something one could test at ACV considering one lighter is now allowed. I'm sure the TSOs at ACV, however, will insist that the website is out of date, even if they provide the URL as they did on that sheet.
Last edited by Majuki; Jan 2, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Jan 2, 2012, 2:30 pm
#2
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It all depends on what "feet warmers" are. I've seen some hand warmers and/or foot-warmers that work based on chemical reactions; they could plausibly contain substances that are prohibited by FAA regs.
Of course, I'm completely speculating here --- more so than usual, in fact. But, absent additional information, I'm not ready to draw a conclusion one way or the other just yet.
Of course, I'm completely speculating here --- more so than usual, in fact. But, absent additional information, I'm not ready to draw a conclusion one way or the other just yet.
Jan 2, 2012, 2:45 pm
#3
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I interpreted that note as saying "what we thought was suspicious in your bag turned out to be your feet warmers". How did you interpret it?
Jan 2, 2012, 3:13 pm
#4
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Jan 2, 2012, 3:34 pm
#5
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It all depends on what "feet warmers" are. I've seen some hand warmers and/or foot-warmers that work based on chemical reactions; they could plausibly contain substances that are prohibited by FAA regs.
Of course, I'm completely speculating here --- more so than usual, in fact. But, absent additional information, I'm not ready to draw a conclusion one way or the other just yet.
Of course, I'm completely speculating here --- more so than usual, in fact. But, absent additional information, I'm not ready to draw a conclusion one way or the other just yet.
Jan 2, 2012, 3:49 pm
#6
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They're useful for night diving/snorkeling.
Jan 2, 2012, 4:49 pm
#7
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This picture is from a friend whose flight left Arcata/Eureka Airport (ACV) this morning. The foot warmers had been removed from the suitcase, and this note was left. I checked the TSA website, and there seems to be nothing prohibited about these items, even when you consider looser definitions of some of the prohibited items. Upon further research provided in post #4, it would seem these were incorrectly removed.
On a side note, I also like the paragraph about lighters being prohibited in carry-on luggage. It would be something one could test at ACV considering one lighter is now allowed. I'm sure the TSOs at ACV, however, will insist that the website is out of date, even if they provide the URL as they did on that sheet.
Without that, I would have to guess what has already been stated here: they violated FAA regulations as hazardous material.
Jan 2, 2012, 5:11 pm
#8
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http://www.warmers.com/Pdf/airlinesafety.pdf
http://www.warmers.com/Pdf/msds.pdf
http://www.warmers.com/FAQ.aspx#anchor_7
Jan 2, 2012, 6:11 pm
#9
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A simple Google search of the company brings up the website. As noted above, the website has the following info
http://www.warmers.com/Pdf/airlinesafety.pdf
http://www.warmers.com/Pdf/msds.pdf
http://www.warmers.com/FAQ.aspx#anchor_7
http://www.warmers.com/Pdf/airlinesafety.pdf
http://www.warmers.com/Pdf/msds.pdf
http://www.warmers.com/FAQ.aspx#anchor_7
Well, that's pretty clear. I don't think I've ever reviewed an MSDS quite so full of "n/a". But, god forbid someone would actually check -- simpler to just chuck it. Less taxing on the brain.
~~ Irish
Jan 2, 2012, 6:15 pm
#10
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You think in this day and age of product liability lawsuits, a company would sell something that you put in you gloves and shoes that could start a fire? As stated in the PDF link above, they have NFPA/HMIS Hazard classifications of 0 for Flammability, Reactivity, and Health.
I use Grabber warmers myself; they're a great product. A threat to commercial aviation? Only in the mind of an uninformed screener.
I use Grabber warmers myself; they're a great product. A threat to commercial aviation? Only in the mind of an uninformed screener.
Jan 2, 2012, 7:39 pm
#11
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I believe there is no prohibited from checked bag. There is no restrictions on TSA site. You should write email to TSA to get file complaint against the bag screeners. No one should taking it away from checked bags. I knows there is no potential threat at all.
Jan 2, 2012, 8:29 pm
#12
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The warmers, though--if a box of them got damaged and released their heat faster than they were supposed to...
Jan 2, 2012, 8:32 pm
#13
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You think in this day and age of product liability lawsuits, a company would sell something that you put in you gloves and shoes that could start a fire? As stated in the PDF link above, they have NFPA/HMIS Hazard classifications of 0 for Flammability, Reactivity, and Health.
I use Grabber warmers myself; they're a great product. A threat to commercial aviation? Only in the mind of an uninformed screener.
I use Grabber warmers myself; they're a great product. A threat to commercial aviation? Only in the mind of an uninformed screener.
Jan 2, 2012, 9:07 pm
#14
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Again, this is one of the consequences of TSA's default policy: passengers have to prove that their items are safe to fly, to the satisfaction of the TSA. If there was a presumption that all items were safe unless the TSA proved them unsafe, we'd be having a whole different set of conversations here.
Jan 3, 2012, 10:56 am
#15
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[QUOTE=Loren Pechtel;17734911]They don't burn, that doesn't mean that something couldn't happen that would allow them to light something else on fire.[/QUOT
Except that they can't get hot enough to start anything on fire.
I've travelled loads with hand warmers and occassionally with the foot warmers since so many of my trips are to cold places with no electricity. I've never had a problem transporting them either in checked baggage or carry-on.
Looks like you just ran into an agent who didn't know better (I hope!).
Except that they can't get hot enough to start anything on fire.
I've travelled loads with hand warmers and occassionally with the foot warmers since so many of my trips are to cold places with no electricity. I've never had a problem transporting them either in checked baggage or carry-on.
Looks like you just ran into an agent who didn't know better (I hope!).