Grrrrr. The TSA threw out my stuff!

[CurlyCap]

So, I'm bound for 4 weeks away from home with no guarantee of easy access to conventional grocery/shopping stores.

Because of FSA regulations, I knew I couldn't bring conditioner for the journey (gasp!), so I packed small tubs of butters, oils, and a packet of citric acid for rinses. Each was clearly labelled, either by the source I bought from or with my own homemade labels on glass/reusable jars.

When I arrived at my destination, ALL OF IT had been thrown away...and they only left one of those little "We inspected your baggage" stubs. They left my makeup and lotion alone.

So now I'm in no man's land without even basic hair supplies and I am very, very displeased with the TSA. This would not have happened if I had packed conventional products....that do not work with my hair type.

Just wanted to vent. Thanks for listening.

[Flor]

*psst* Next time empty your generic hair and skin care bottles and fill them in with your own concoctions. It's not against the law to be environmentally-friendly and reusing plastic and glass containers, is it?? Citric acid could go into a loose face powder sifter jar, for example.....

Are you somewhere exotic? I never had my luggage examined before, but I only traveled through Europe.

[HintOfMint]

Oh my goodness, that's infuriating! God, I'm actually really upset on your behalf. I didn't know they could just throw things out (I mean unless it's a weapon or something) if it's packed in your non-carry on luggage. Why would they do this??

[MandyBeth]

Oh my goodness, that's infuriating! God, I'm actually really upset on your behalf. I didn't know they could just throw things out (I mean unless it's a weapon or something) if it's packed in your non-carry on luggage. Why would they do this??

Odd, or repackaged, or unlabeled packages of "stuff" may be something not as claimed. Add in the products in question are more likely to trip an organic compound sensor - they get removed.

Curly - are you in one place for a few days? Could you get products overnighted to you?

[koolkittychick]

Oh my goodness, that's infuriating! God, I'm actually really upset on your behalf. I didn't know they could just throw things out (I mean unless it's a weapon or something) if it's packed in your non-carry on luggage. Why would they do this??

Also, if the containers are more than two ounces and are not identified as some commercial product (i.e., shampoo or conditioner), they are thrown out.

Sorry this happened to you Curly Cap; hopefully your hair won't suffer any damage from the lack of staples.

[Lostsoule77]

That sucks CurlyCap. Hopefully you can find something that works for you where you are.

[lapushka]

CC, where are you? Maybe we can help, seen as we're from "allovertheplace" on LHC anyway.

[browneyedsusan]

I don't blame you. You did what you were supposed to do! They shouldn't have thrown away your things! I've never had a problem with repackaging toiletries, but they did snatch my leatherman out of my purse once!
(My fault. I forgot about it in there. I loved that knife!)

[Madora]

Sorry to read about your TSA troubles, CurlyCap.

Perhaps mineral oil (baby oil) is available where you are staying? Here's more about mineral oil and curly hair:
http://ktanihairsense.blogspot.ca/

[truepeacenik]

Wow. And we worry about our styling tools (hair toys).
One reason I don't check luggage unless I'm basically shipping my paints in a back pack is so I can know what's going on at all times.
Sample size panacea has gotten a second look. And that gets everything searched. So too did a bottle of seasoned salt I was bringing as a gift (unwrapped, but with the paper and tape right there to be completed in terminal).

Cameras get dusted, I've been checked for residue, too.
I've been in the extra screening line more times than I can count.

I was able to explain the panacea as "hair pomade."