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| "Sir, you're going to have to check that." |
Until yesterday, when the TSA lady in Spokane pulled my baggie out, gave me the "What are you trying to pull?" squint and said, "Sir, this is a 4.1 ounce tube of toothpaste and TSA guidelines state that you can only have 3.4 ounce containers of toothpaste. Would you like to surrender your toothpaste or go check your bag?"
I did not want to surrender my toothpaste. As I said, it had traveled around with me quite a bit and I was feeling attached to it. So I asked her what it would look like for me to check my bag. She patiently explained that I would be escorted out of the secure zone and allowed to go check my bag and then go through security again. Sigh. Adios, pasta dentifrica.
I know this TSA agent was just doing her job (and I'm glad the TSA is doing their job), but it made me mad. I mean, why can't toothpaste companies make 3.4 ounce containers? And if they do, why doesn't my grocery store carry them? Am I really putting the nation at risk with an extra 7 ounces of toothpaste? And why doesn't it count that I had used at least seven ounces of toothpaste already?
AND ESPECIALLY: Why is it that one of my traveling companions, who was directly in front of me in line and who didn't take her toothpaste out of her bag, and WHO HAD A FULL-SIZED TUBE OF TOOTHPASTE in her bag allowed to keep hers? Am I being profiled? Should I have left my tube of toothpaste in my bag instead of taking it out? Is the TSA lady brushing her teeth with my toothpaste right now? Is it true that Crest is less likely to be noticed or confiscated by the TSA?
In the meantime, I guess it's back to filling my depleted three ounce tubes with a giant 97 ounce tube from Costco.
I think you were pulled out of the line because you were smiling - the TSA noticed your sparkling white teeth and new something was amiss. That should teach you.
ReplyDeleteThe bigger question is that in all your traveling Matt to San Diego, East Asia, San Francisco and Spokane, that you didn't use .7 ounces of toothpaste to bring the amount down to regulation size.
ReplyDeleteI totally feel your pain. On several (three I think) flights back from Asia I have had a water bottle or fountain drink that I purchased INSIDE the airport AFTER going through security confiscated at the boarding gate to my flight!! I tried to explain how badly I really needed said water bottle or fountain drink (because they never serve enough on the flight) and how I purposely waited to purchase it until after security so I could take it on the plane, but alas it was all in vain. The last time, I got smart and hid it in my pillowcase. Ha! I'm so sneaky.
ReplyDeleteWeird, because every time I go on the plane they let me carry on my aluminum knitting needles, which could easily be lethal. More so than toothpaste, at least.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should have offered to brush your teeth so they would know it was not deadly explosive toothpaste and it was just regular teeth cleaning toothpaste.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first comment. Maybe the TSA was amazed of your sparkling white teeth. Anyway, I think you shouldn't have taken out your toothpaste and surrendered it since the first lady kept hers.
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