Did anyone know this?

[disneyaggie]

I was at DFW Airport (Dallas) checking my bag on my way to WDW and for some odd reason I asked, "is it o.k. to have nail polish remover in my checked suitcase"? The lady behind the counter almost had a heart attack! She said, "Why no! It is considered an explosive"!

I said, "Nail polish remover? Are you serious?" I then asked if it was o.k. to take rubbing alcohol. She looked at me like I had a snake on my head!

I have always packed a small bottle of rubbing alcohol to wipe down door knobs and telephones at the hotel room since I heard they are some of the dirtiest things in a hotel room.

I then asked, "Well, what about nail polish?" She had to think about it. She let that pass. (Go figure). I said, "Well, what about hair spray". She said that was o.k.

Now mind you, I travel every year, several times a year. This was the first time I ever heard nail polish remover and rubbing alcohol are considered explosives! I didn't know I carried such "explosives" aboard each time I travelled. YIKES!

As you may have guessed, my bag got tagged to go to security check.

Did anyone else know that these were not permitted? I guess that's what I get for asking!

 

[Chuck S]

It may be good idea to pack the "towelette" style polish removers and hand cleaner wipes instead.

 

[klwdisney]

But you can put it in your carryon back right? I was thinking of bringing some...

 

[disneyaggie]

It may be good idea to pack the "towelette" style polish removers and hand cleaner wipes instead.

Great idea! I will do this next time.

 

[disneyaggie]

But you can put it in your carryon back right? I was thinking of bringing some...

I am not sure. She certainly did not offer that as a suggestion.

 

[WDWOKW92]

Nail polish remover has a very flammable component called acetone. It works very well but also it drys out your nails. I believe there are other nail polish removers that do not have flammable components and work about as well. Check the ingredients label. Isopropyl alcohol is also very flammable. Bring a container of those Clorox wipes. That should do the trick and they're not flammable!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I just flew to Chicago from Newark in August. i got stopped both times and had to "open my bag" in front of the security officers and describe the contents. it was my breast pump and ice packs and frozen milk. I guess they'd rather be safe than sorry. Not sure what I'd do with my breast milk as a weapon other that squirt it in someones eye. The pump I understand because it is electric and is a "machine" that has moving parts. Oh well, it did kinda irk me to be asked to step aside and seperated from my sister like I was a criminal. Then when the 2 people (yes 2 each time) were done checking my bag, they didn't even aknowledge me, just said, "okay" and walked away from me. Nothing like flying in friendly skies!!

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Really? I had no idea, never gave it any thought. Every time I travel, I pack nail polish and nail polish remover. I guess I'll just do my nails before we leave and pray for no chipping! Thanks for the heads up.

Krista

 

[POB14]

The Official TSA List of banned or restricted items.

I don't see actetone on there anywhere . . . guess it depends on the screener you get.

 

[Jennasis]

You can buy non-acetone nail polish.

Clorox wipes are better (and won't spill) for cleaning knobs and phones.

My DMIL had her bottle of hairspray confiscated at NY's Laguardia airport a few years back. It was an aerosol bottle and apparently it was "too large" (it was like the large/tall cans they have at salons). Go figure...

 

[kelleigh1]

I usually bring the remover towlettes and handi-wipes simply for the mess factor. I've had far too many things break and leak in my suitcase, so now I try to use as many no-mess items as possible. Granted, I could put them in ziploc bags...which I do for lotion, shampoo, etc., but if there is an alternative, why not use it?

I think I knew about the remover being flammable, but never thought to take rubbing alcohol with me so I never gave it much though.

 

[Laurajean1014]

You can buy non-acetone nail polish.

Clorox wipes are better (and won't spill) for cleaning knobs and phones.

My DMIL had her bottle of hairspray confiscated at NY's Laguardia airport a few years back. It was an aerosol bottle and apparently it was "too large" (it was like the large/tall cans they have at salons). Go figure...

I thought of this, as well. Non-acetone nail polish remover.... however, does the TSA know that it's non-acetone????

 

[larfamily]

According to the FAA website, rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover are allowed. http://asi.faa.gov/docs/HAZMATByPassenger.pdf

 

[jann1033]

I just flew to Chicago from Newark in August. i got stopped both times and had to "open my bag" in front of the security officers and describe the contents. it was my breast pump and ice packs and frozen milk. !!

maybe they thought you had been drinking nail polish remover so the milk would be explosive can just picture if it was 2 male inspectors cringing "eww breast milk" and worriying it might leak out and touch them

 

[FormerH8er]

The Official TSA List of banned or restricted items.

I don't see actetone on there anywhere . . . guess it depends on the screener you get.

Actetone is paint thinner, which is on the TSA's list of banned items.

 

[POB14]

Actetone is paint thinner, which is on the TSA's list of banned items.

It's an ingredient in some, but by no means most, paint thinners (turpentine is more common, and specifically listed by TSA). But I can see how an overcautious (in my opinion) agent could say nail polish remover = acetone = paint thinner = banned. As noted above by larfamily, the FAA doesn't think it's banned.