Proraso Green Tub and Security Clearance at the Airport

[amit711]

Hi All,
I am a frequent airline traveller and have to practically live out of my suitcase owing to the nature of my work.

I have been carrying a Proraso Green Tub (Shave Soap) and a Mach3 whenever I make overnight trips. If I stay longer at my destination (2-3 days), I prefer to take my DE and I usually check-in if I take my DE along.

Today, a lady at the security check confiscated my Proraso Green Tub citing that it is 150 ml (and not the allowable 100 ml). I tried to reason out with her and convince her that this is neither Gel nor Cream nor Foam. It is a 'soft soap'. It does not spread like a cream or gel and one needs to apply it using a shaving brush. She dipped her fingers in the Proraso Tub, rubbed her fingers and exclaimed "this is sticky like cream. Its against the airline rules and I will have to insist on throwing it."

I wanted to argue further, but she was a person in uniform and could make my life miserable by asking me to step out. I had no choice but to accede to her instructions.

Has this happened with you anytime? Since when did airlines start having rules about not allowing soaps as a part of the cabin luggage? Will the same happen if I carry a hard soap (e.g. MWF) with me?

Grateful for enlightening me...

Regards
Amit711

 

[Mick]

there are no "real" rules. they sort of get made up on the spot depending on the TSA employees mood at the time

Or so it seems

 

[Stateref05]

Sorry to hear that. Security gave me a hard time about my proraso red tub. Luckily she let it go. As the gentleman above said, they make the rules as they go. On a side note, I just ordered a 75 ml tub of proraso green from italian barber just for that reason. It was $5.00 so no big deal. Good luck in the future.

 

[MegaBullfrog09]

Yeah, those people are brainless. Sorry about your Proraso, may it RIP.

 

[jeffsf]

It's a bizarre world that the TSA employees live in, filled with misinformation that sometimes they don't know where it comes from. I even had one tell me that the backscatter scanners used "sound waves" and I had to get a supervisor to deal with the opt-out.

One of the other not-unexpected turns of the "three-ounce rule" was that things like deodorant that were previously packaged in four-ounce containers seemingly overnight were shipping in three-ounce containers, for the same price, of course...

Apparently, "Stick deodorant is fine in any size." But gels, well, that is another story. Go figure.

 

[trippinsting]

that totally sucks!
i guess she wasnt in a good mood that day.

 

[xraygun]

You should see the look on their faces when I carry an actual coconut on.
They act like it's from Mars.

 

[JCinPA]

For the last year, I've never taken my shave kit out of my carry-on. I just put my shoes and computer in the bins, run everything else through. I realized at some point most folks were not putting their little baggies out and the TSA did not seem to care. When they did see one, they'd mess with it.

In a dozen trips or so, I've never had them ask me to take toiletries out of my bag. Usually I am using BIC Metal disposables, but the once or twice I brought a DE (no blades) I left that unscrewed in 3 pieces in my shoe. They thanked me for making that easy on them, but they did not ask about toiletries.

They are losing interest. Just leave it all in your carry-on from now on. They probably won't mess with it.

 

[JCinPA]

there are no "real" rules. they sort of get made up on the spot depending on the TSA employees mood at the time

Or so it seems

And I agree with this wholeheartedly. It's fairly whimsical if you ask me. I haven't taken my belt off for several trips and they haven't said anything either. Pretty much I just put the shoes, computer and pocket contents in the bins and scoot through. No issues.

 

[Big Jim]

I travel a lot too, and like so many "men of a certain age" I have a lot of pill bottles in my shaving kit, vitamins and prescriptions.

Every once-in-a-while my carry-on bag is selected for closer scrutiny. I always pull my toiletries as required and have had little trouble with that part. What seems to fascinate the TSA agents is my shaving brush. They see all those bottles, including the shave brush tube, and they think I have more liquids and they dig in. The brush brings responses like "I haven't seen one of those since I was a kid and watched my grandfather shave".

The shaving soap also sometimes raises questions (Col Conk puck in a taller than Col Conk case). Occasionally they open it, usually they stop when I tell them it's just shaving soap.

It's just all part of the adventure of travel. It's only irritating when I'm running late and in danger of missing a flight.

 

[Foyle]

Guys, I really think we need to cut the TSA some slack. These people have a pretty tough job to do if you think about it. I have a really good friend who's a TSA agent. If you make things easy on the TSA, you shouldn't have any trouble. A tub of Proraso soap is an obvious no-no. It's a hard cream, and you know that the TSA agent is going to have to make a judgement call on an unfamiliar item. You know they are going to err on the side of caution.

My rule when flying is when in doubt, don't pack it in the carry-on. My shave kit goes in the checked baggage.

 

[kharb22]

I would tend to agree with Foyle. If you just check it, then it is no problem. I also travel a little due to my job, and they even hassle us on our flights from time to time. And we are no civilian airliner.

 

[Chadao]

there are no "real" rules. they sort of get made up on the spot depending on the TSA employees mood at the time

Or so it seems

Amen brother Turtle. I fly 3 weeks a month, but I always check my bag. This lets me carry my DE, cream, and anything else I need for wet shaving on the move.

 

[xraygun]

None of it is the fault of the TSA workers. It's the bureaucrats making the rules in committee that they have to interpret. I had 2 racks of lamb recently, with 2 big gel ice packs, no problem. The tiniest swiss army knife that had been through 6 times in my bag(I didn't know it was there until) got taken instead. None of it makes any sense. Fear sells.

 

[Toothpick]

In my experience it's hit and miss. I passed through with a big ole tube of hair gel while my lady friend behind me had her body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and hair spray tossed.

did she bring extra attention to herself by trying to pass all that through....of course. but then again all it takes is one item to pass through.....

I also think if you run across a rookie they are going to do a more thorough job. Especially if they are still on their probational period.

I bought a plastic travel kit that meets TSA requirements. 4 bottles in a clear 1qt top zipper bag. I fill em up with the essentials and never had a problem. If you are going to be gone long enough to go through 3oz of soap or shampoo then you should really just buy it when you get there.

 

[merkur59]

Once my 100ml hair gel was confiscated - even though it was only half full.
They got dummies who read but can't calculate manning security.

 

[dreaded_rust]

Guys, I really think we need to cut the TSA some slack. These people have a pretty tough job to do if you think about it. I have a really good friend who's a TSA agent. If you make things easy on the TSA, you shouldn't have any trouble. A tub of Proraso soap is an obvious no-no. It's a hard cream, and you know that the TSA agent is going to have to make a judgement call on an unfamiliar item. You know they are going to err on the side of caution.

My rule when flying is when in doubt, don't pack it in the carry-on. My shave kit goes in the checked baggage.

+1
In the miliary we have a billion rules and regulations. In the end most things still come down to a judgement call. I see a lot on this forum about what can and cant be taken in a carry on. I would lable proraso as a cream but I do supose one could argue the semantics of it. Bottom line
You should check your shave gear. I've been on hundreds of flights all over the world and have never had a checked bag completely lost. Delayed a few time but never lost. Check your bag.

 

[RobW]

If you're devoted to only having a carry-on, just avoid the drama of the soft soaps and go with a shave stick. It never gets attention from the TSA and gives stellar performance - pretty much across the board (unless you're allergic to La Toja or something...ymmv...)

 

[Ducati Scotty]

+1, cut them some slack. You deal with them once a day, they deal with passengers 1,000 times a day or more and every one can't wait to get through. It's a distinct inconvenience but either put the stuff in your checked baggage or realize your may not make it through if you have something 'questionable'. And questionable could be just about anything these days, there are not hard and fast rules it seems. Think about it, outside of a DE blade most people have no idea what most wet shaving products are or what they're for.

Scott

 

[Bentley72]

You should see the look on their faces when I carry an actual coconut on.
They act like it's from Mars.

I'm quite curious why you would be carrying a coconut with you?