Semi-stupid question: TSA and bead-gel-neck wraps

[lalasmama]

You know, those terribly unfashionable gel-bead-filled neck wrap things... I assume they pass through TSA without a problem, even when they are "plumped up?"

 

[Malcon10t]

No, they are not on the approved list. (It can go thru if completely dry.)

ETA- It is fun learning what you can take on board. Peanut butter is considered a "gel" and is included in your 3.4 ounce baggie allowance.

 

[keywis25]

Once TSA tried to tell me my fudge counted as a gel and they had to confiscate it. I said nope I will get out of line and go throw it away and come back through the line. They debated for a minute and decided to let me keep it. I think they just wanted to take my fudge so they could eat it.

 

[StormyCA]

No, they are not on the approved list. (It can go thru if completely dry.)

ETA- It is fun learning what you can take on board. Peanut butter is considered a "gel" and is included in your 3.4 ounce baggie allowance.

Wow! I did not know this. So you have to 'declare' a peanut butter sandwich or is it only in the jar or the little packet squeeze thingys? I'm not a PB fan so it wouldn't really affect me, but it does make me curious.

I've tried 17 ways to Sunday to be able to travel with only a carry-on but because of the 3/1/1 rule and the number of things considered 'liquids' I just can't do it.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Once TSA tried to tell me my fudge counted as a gel and they had to confiscate it. I said nope I will get out of line and go throw it away and come back through the line. They debated for a minute and decided to let me keep it. I think they just wanted to take my fudge so they could eat it.

Probably, hahaha! When they were just starting the liquid/gel thing my friend tried to bring a jar of Nutella through TSA. Hard no. I'm sure that went straight to the confiscation locker and not to the lunch room...

 

[Malcon10t]

Probably, hahaha! When they were just starting the liquid/gel thing my friend tried to bring a jar of Nutella through TSA. Hard no. I'm sure that went straight to the confiscation locker and not to the lunch room...

Yeah, a hard one for my granddaughter as she had packed a couple single size Nutella and sticks, and they only let her keep 2 (one in hers, put one in her dads.) She was only 4, but she was irate over it. She still doesn't like TSA.

 

[ddwlms]

ETA- It is fun learning what you can take on board. Peanut butter is considered a "gel" and is included in your 3.4 ounce baggie allowance.

I had to check it out. This is what I learned:

Light Saber
Carry On Bags:
Yes
Checked Bags:
Yes
Sadly, the technology doesn't currently exist to create a real lightsaber. However, you can pack a toy lightsaber in your carry-on or checked bag. May the force be with you.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/light-saber

 

[Kender]

Wow! I did not know this. So you have to 'declare' a peanut butter sandwich or is it only in the jar or the little packet squeeze thingys? I'm not a PB fan so it wouldn't really affect me, but it does make me curious.

I've tried 17 ways to Sunday to be able to travel with only a carry-on but because of the 3/1/1 rule and the number of things considered 'liquids' I just can't do it.

This is the catch with it: you have to declare peanut butter (and it counts under the 3.4oz rule as mentioned) if it's in its own container, but if it's already spread on a sandwich, then it can go through no problem.

Same with other spreads.

 

[Vala]

I had to check it out. This is what I learned:

Light Saber
Carry On Bags:
Yes
Checked Bags:
Yes
Sadly, the technology doesn't currently exist to create a real lightsaber. However, you can pack a toy lightsaber in your carry-on or checked bag. May the force be with you.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/light-saber

We had one confiscated by German airport security as a weapon.

 

[nikkislaght]

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/gel-ice-packs

gel packs can go through IF they are frozen solid on arrival at TSA.. if they are even slightly melted they need to be under the 3 oz rule..

 

[ddwlms]

We had one confiscated by German airport security as a weapon.

Apparently the Germans are not as in the know as the Americans regarding weaponry from mythical lands, lol.

 

[Malcon10t]

This is the catch with it: you have to declare peanut butter (and it counts under the 3.4oz rule as mentioned) if it's in its own container, but if it's already spread on a sandwich, then it can go through no problem.

Same with other spreads.

We had to toss the uncrustables my daughter in law packed for my grandson last year. (I didn't know she had them...) Maybe it was the jelly.

 

[StormyCA]

As with most things government-wise*, I expect it's down to WHO your screener is. Some 'banned' things are pretty darn common sense to pretty much anyone, whilst other things may be down to the 'comfort level' of the screener and/or their interpretation of the rules.

*I'm a retired Fed. I know how it works. The rules aren't meant to be 'more what you'd call guidelines, Miss Swann' but they are often written a bit vaguely and leave room for interpretation and 'judgement calls' as there would be no way to include every possible iteration of a 'liquid' or a 'banned item'.

 

[Kender]

We had to toss the uncrustables my daughter in law packed for my grandson last year. (I didn't know she had them...) Maybe it was the jelly.

Huh, that's odd because I've specifically been told by TSA that once constructed, the sandwich is fine. I don't actually like sandwiches (I have texture issues with them) so it doesn't affect me, but it is something I've inquired about because I still like to be aware.

However, rules do change. I went through once with my Zippo by accident (had been missing for a couple years in a pocket on my backpack I never use) and they took the insert from it so I could keep the case. Not long later, lighters were allowed in carry on again. I even went through with a 2liter bottle of soda literally days before the liquid ban.

TSA's website does specifically allow for sandwiches with no restrictions. Maybe it was because they could see it was an uncrustable? And therefore an overzealous TSA person saw that it was something with a spread and determined it wasn't allowed? Because a quick search of a few travel websites all state you should have been allowed to take it. Or maybe the rule has just gotten more lax since that incident you experienced?

Makes me wish I flying soon. I'd definitely test this out for curiosity's sake (since I never would intend to eat the sandwich, it wouldn't break my heart to lose it).

 

[Vala]

Apparently the Germans are not as in the know as the Americans regarding weaponry from mythical lands, lol.

Their explanation when my boyfriend wouldn't let go and kept repeating it was plastic was that you could hit someone over the head with it and that someone could get injured. Same goes for the 2 dozen laptops in the handluggage of businessmen I guess, but maybe we looked more scary.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Huh, that's odd because I've specifically been told by TSA that once constructed, the sandwich is fine. I don't actually like sandwiches (I have texture issues with them) so it doesn't affect me, but it is something I've inquired about because I still like to be aware.

However, rules do change. I went through once with my Zippo by accident (had been missing for a couple years in a pocket on my backpack I never use) and they took the insert from it so I could keep the case. Not long later, lighters were allowed in carry on again. I even went through with a 2liter bottle of soda literally days before the liquid ban.

TSA's website does specifically allow for sandwiches with no restrictions. Maybe it was because they could see it was an uncrustable? And therefore an overzealous TSA person saw that it was something with a spread and determined it wasn't allowed? Because a quick search of a few travel websites all state you should have been allowed to take it. Or maybe the rule has just gotten more lax since that incident you experienced?

Makes me wish I flying soon. I'd definitely test this out for curiosity's sake (since I never would intend to eat the sandwich, it wouldn't break my heart to lose it).

we took a pbj in dec no issues.

 

[bumbershoot]

Wow! I did not know this. So you have to 'declare' a peanut butter sandwich or is it only in the jar or the little packet squeeze thingys? I'm not a PB fan so it wouldn't really affect me, but it does make me curious.

I've tried 17 ways to Sunday to be able to travel with only a carry-on but because of the 3/1/1 rule and the number of things considered 'liquids' I just can't do it.

What are you trying to take?

Pbj sandwich is fine. Cheese sandwich with mayo and mustard is fine. But out of the sandwich they have to com with the 311 rules.

We had one confiscated by German airport security as a weapon.

Germany security is different from tsa, of course

We had to toss the uncrustables my daughter in law packed for my grandson last year. (I didn't know she had them...) Maybe it was the jelly.

Weird. Shouldn’t have happened.

Then again lax once had their metal detectors set to alarm with DH’s shorts zipper and with my simple Goody barrette.

 

[Vala]

Germany security is different from tsa, of course

Of course it is. It was more meant as an example for "every place can be weird."

Differnet example: Neither US nor German airports bat an eyelid about my Disney pins. London Heathrow once tried to have me remove every single one from the bag. Thankfully her supervisor set that woman straight or I would have caused the backlog from hell.

 

[StormyCA]

What are you trying to take?

The contents of my makeup drawer, medicine cabinet, and all those 'miracle cures' middle aged skin needs. And toothpaste.