Items confiscated by Airport Security

Daniel W. · #1 01-27-2003, 04:18 AM

While leaving the D.R. on my last two visits there, AA batteries in my Walkman, and extra batteries in my carryon luggage were confiscated. It has never happened leaving the U.S. or Europe. Is there a definite policy pertaining to batteries, was the security agent misinformed, or did someone's child need batteries to power his toys?

Dominican Babe · #2 01-27-2003, 05:04 AM

I always have my walkman and spare batteries in my hand luggage - never had them confiscated though.

dale7 · #3 01-27-2003, 05:29 AM

In two trips I have never had batteries confiscated. I bring a digital camera and a lot of spare batteries in my carry on bag. They have checked my carry on and never had a problem with this. Maybe someone will enlighten us because I would hate to have about 30US dollars of AA alkaline batteries confiscated.
dale7

Rosanie · #4 01-27-2003, 08:41 AM

Leaving POP about 2 weeks ago I had the batteries confiscated from my portable radio. When I told them that in Canada you require batteries in to prove that it works to security - they just shrugged their shoulders and told me to take them out. Go figure?!

Jan · #5 01-27-2003, 09:10 AM

I had my lighter taken. Never had that happen before.

Tony C · #6 01-27-2003, 10:03 AM

I bet the Security Guard just needed the batteries for his radio at home

Hillbilly · #7 01-27-2003, 02:59 PM

DR security are absolutely clueless assholes, trying to be holier than thou. They broke off the files of the nail clippers that were in my checked-in luggage, took all the batteries out of the children's toys, missed (MISSED!!! the largest Swiss Army knife I own-the one with "everything" on it on my Freaking CARRY ON!!!. I discovered this to my horror when I was repacking to return. Miami is very clear on what and what not to put into luggage: Firearms, ammo, flares, fireworks, inflamable liquids, large compressed cans of gas-butane, propane. But not freaking lighters!!! For cripes sake!!. I asked and they said that 1 butane lighter per person was acceptable. We had eight of them in our luggage and nothing was said. You can put carving knives, butcher knives, whatever, in your checked in luggage, according to the FAA, but the DR idiots will snap off the file of a nail clipper...Do they think you are going to run around Customs filing people with your little file?? Or hijack the Customs area in a US Airport? NOW? With all those armed and ready folks around with broad enough orders to shoot-to-kill?? I was so ashamed of their zealousness that I had to laugh at the utter stupidity.

There, I got that off my chest.

HB

And NO, they cannot take your batteries....Yell like hell, put them in checked bags...Tell them to go to hell.

Edited again to say: You cannot put CAR batteries or such in there either. That would be a no-no.

dale7 · #8 01-27-2003, 03:19 PM

Now I know for sure that they aren't allowed to take batteries so there is no way they are going to take that or my lighter, it is the principle of it. Can't stand incompetent/crooked security. Still am confused about why a person can't bring fingernail clippers with file at all, I have had them confiscated at Detroit Airport and that rule makes no sense at all. I even had a razor with disposable blades(Schik Tracer) confiscated in my carryall, these items were my first trip so now I bring those crappy throw away razors in my checked baggage with no problem. Airlines/security should be more concerned about drunk pilots than toiletries/items of no danger.
dale7

Hillbilly · #9 01-27-2003, 03:29 PM

I think you can check in just about anything, except the stuff listed, and you can get a list from the FAA. Nothing that could possibly be cutting, sticking or such will get on a plane. No plastic rat-tail bombs for the girls.
If you have boots or big thick sneakers, they have a steel shank down the middle, and they will set off the 'beep' and you will get nearly denuded. Take them off and put them in the basket. No lighters on board either, no bladed shavers either.. And I can live with that. I change my socks before travelling, I shave that day, I don't smoke.

Did you see the FAA tests on the "Shoe Bomb" that nut had?

HB

sjh · #10 01-27-2003, 03:29 PM

On my last trip I really confused them... Since I am in the process of moving I had nothing but two empty suitcases and a paperback book going back... They checked every inch of my empty suitcases, and then frisked me as well as the the usual bag Xrays and metal detectors... hahahah