What have you had taken off you by security?

[mushez]

Well to follow on from my 2010 experience where AKL security ripped off 2 X 1.5cm plastic swords off one of my sons toys, a battle hamster.

Yesterday I got set up well and truly.

Short story, got handed presents at short notice and would take hours to readjust my bags to be on the safe side, so after asking what they were, liquids, gels, knife looking objects etc and assured all is harmless, proceeded to carry them on through AKL security on flight to BNE.

They didn't like what they saw in the xray, so wanted to open up to check.

And pictures are what we found.

They confiscated the packaging, and allowed me to continue with toy.

 

[Katie]

My least logical was anti-static-cling spray at BNE domestic. I think due to it being in a spray can.

I was very bemused when the man at security asked about its use, and I explained that I would spray it onto my stockings, so that the dress I was going to wear that night would not cling. He deemed that as the spray would not be directly on my body, like deodorant, it was not safe, and it was confiscated. He must think stockings are much thicker than they typically are!!!!

 

[opusman]

I had some deadly toothpaste taken off me because the little bottle it was in said "140g" on it. I pointed out that was grams, not mL, and that toothpaste is probably a lot heavier than water but my pleas met deaf ears.

Later on I measured a similar bottle to be about 90mL.

 

[turnip666]

Words are dangerous.....pictures can inflame.

 

[dajop]

I had some deadly toothpaste taken off me because the little bottle it was in said "140g" on it. I pointed out that was grams, not mL, and that toothpaste is probably a lot heavier than water but my pleas met deaf ears.

Later on I measured a similar bottle to be about 90mL.

Ditto with 80g of shaving gel, no hope of ever keeping it, as it was not in ml or oz. And I was in texas. Even though it was clearly a smaller another 100ml container beside it, which was allowed.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well with my wife...an endless supply of scissors! Legion are the security counters where we have had to leave them behind. Once at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem where the guards had loaded Uzis and the inability to smail she had 3 pairs including 2 large pairs!

With my daughters. Funniest time was when my eldest was on a French exchange trip and the French security guys asked her what her jar of Vegemite was (she was taking a jar to share something Aussie with her French familiy) and when she told them it was food, they opened the jat tasted some and then flat out refused to believe it was food and conviscated it!

With me. On entering India sweets! The female agent spotted some sweets in my bumbag and took them saying "for my daughter". Naturally I just said yes while privately fuming. I figured no sense saying no to someone who might decide that a random body cavity search may be in order.

 

[Deleted member 9370]

At Sydney QF Domestic, after placing my aerosol shaving cream in the tray it was confiscated. Reason: It was of Italian manufacture and there was no English on the can indicating what was inside!

 

[drron]

3 ni-cad AAA batteries each in it's own pouch by security at GET as you are not allowed to carry any batteries on the plane according to security guy.

Although not confiscated I had to take gift wrapped perfume out of the wrapping at NRT.They threw away the wrapping.

 

[Ausbt]

Half-finished 375ml bottle of cheap whisky at DPS. Didn't argue.

Argued-and-won with AUH security over a bottle of Paul Smith aftershave bought at LHR. Because "your government" they kept saying, "your goverment". Yeah, I hear you there.

 

[trentusjuventus]

With me. On entering India sweets! The female agent spotted some sweets in my bumbag and took them saying "for my daughter". Naturally I just said yes while privately fuming. I figured no sense saying no to someone who might decide that a random bodt cavity serach may be in order.

I also had this happen in India! My carry on bags were searched at Srinagar airport and they found a large bottle of sunscreen and a bag of chocolate muesli bars. The three guys doing the inspections were curious about what they were and gestured that they wanted a sample. As they sat there chowing down, I picked up my sunscreen, put it back in my bag and headed for the gate.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

When we entered Zanzibar by ferry our party of seven was waived through, but then the guard suddenly called back my wife in quite an aggressive manner.

He pointed at the very cheap plastic bag (the type that shops give you for free) she was carrying her shoes in and made her take them out of the bag and then convisicated just the bag, before waiving her on her way again!

 

[love_the_life]

I had a fair cop at Melbourne with a letter opener that my mother gave me. I didn't think at the time and was HLO with clothes etc in a large handbag so not really checkable luggage. Forgot all about it till asked at x ray to open bag.

 

[Mark3000]

Nadi airport scammed us into purchasing little plastic bags one time we were there. It was either go to the shop and buy the 5c bags for $1 each or lose the expensive toiletries. They were making quite a profit on bags that day.

I still can't believe the stupidity of the guys confiscating mushez's explosive Jenga

 

[JohnK]

I remember one time in BNE they had found a fork in my carry on. I was going away for weekend. This was a 40 year old fork and part of a set that mum bought and I love the design. Went back to check-in to get the fork checked in.

 

[juddles]

.....I still can't believe the stupidity of the guys confiscating mushez's explosive Jenga...

Sorry but I disagree. I don't want to attack mushez, but IMHO the stupidity lies with someone attempting to carry such stuff onto a flight. These are complicated times - let's all try to make things run smoothly.

So far in just a few short posts "we" seem to expect that every single security guard on the planet speaks every language, understands every single bizarre cultural detail, and has a god-like ability to understand not only any object, but also read the minds of the pax.

If you are someone who lives in Australia and are focused on that culture, the idea that vegemite is a weird item may not make sense. But to the vast majority of the planet, it is a product they do not know, they have never seen the lable, and it does neither appear nor taste like any food stuff they have experienced. Funny for us, but it does not mean they are stupid.

 

[opusman]

If you are someone who lives in Australia and are focused on that culture, the idea that vegemite is a weird item may not make sense. But to the vast majority of the planet, it is a product they do not know, they have never seen the lable, and it does neither appear nor taste like any food stuff they have experienced. Funny for us, but it does not mean they are stupid.

Surely jenga transcends all cultural barriers?

 

[juddles]

Surely jenga transcends all cultural barriers?

Nup. Not even close.

 

[Mark3000]

Are you seriously saying a toy with pictures on it is a risk to a plane. Pleaaaaase have some common sense.
Clearly the reality of the situation should be obvious.

 

[Happy Trails]

Are you seriously saying a toy with pictures on it is a risk to a plane. Pleaaaaase have some common sense.
Clearly the reality of the situation should be obvious.

Aircraft have been diverted for less - remember this?

Soft-drink ‘bomb’ a fizzer as police admit flight crew misread label | Aviation News

Not saying I agree with the reaction.

 

[Deleted member]

While I've never had anything taken "OFF" me. I have had something taken "From" me. Some small bottles of wine in bags in Doha. Forgot all about them.