Thread: TSA...Helpful Hint

Had to fly to Atlanta for the weekend. Would not have been any fun at all without being afforded the opportunity to have some sort of interaction with TSA. Here's what was interesting:

I travel with a DE razor which I won't hate losing to TSA for whatever reason. Blades are NEVER part of carry on luggage (at least not intentionally). So, on the flight up I had the razor (Merkur 33C) apart in 3 pieces...no issues at all.

Returning home, I had left it assembled (but removed the blade and tossed it after using for a couple days). At the security checkpoint at ATL, the TSA guy zeroed in on that x ray outline like a hawk. Now we call over Agent #2 to whom he points out the suspicious object (I was standing where I could see the screen. Yep, looked just like a DE razor). Time for a closer look...

So out comes my stuff. I politely point out there is no blade in the razor. She acknowledges this and after satisfying her curiosity gives it back. Could have been a lot more hassle; that's for sure.

Moral-it may not be the worst idea in life to transport your DE razors in separate parts when flying...sure can't hurt.

When I do travel with a DE I mail a couple of blades to the hotel I'm headed to or to someone who will hold them for me.
And I let TSA know there is a DE in the bag - and I put it were they can get to it.

Hint - You can say "without a blade and I have no blades with me" but avoid the term "it's unloaded"...this raises everyones BP.

It's become such a hit or miss that I have taken to either parking a set up at a location that I travel to often (Feather or CJB) or go back to the Cart and cling to everything else (Brush, Palmolive stick or an oz of Proraso in a sample container)

Smooth shaving and Traveling...

When they ask you to declare, just don't shout out, "I'm packin a loaded Gillette."

Originally Posted by Hirlau

When they ask you to declare, just don't shout out, "I'm packin a loaded Gillette."

Better than yelling out, "I have a straight razor and I'm not afraid to use it". And at that they will have no doubts as to the kind of man you really are as they haul you kicking and screaming off to some dark secluded back room for a deep cavity search.

I too have to travel every now and then. I worry about TSA problems too, however I work around this very simply. I postal mail my razor, second-best scuttle, second-best brush (that awful boar thing), and preferably a travel tube of Geo F Trumper that is almost used up directly to the hotel that I'm booked into. I get an okay from the hotel for this first (some of them charge a fee to hold packages), and send the package by some postal service that provides a tracking number.

So far no problems with TSA for me -- and I hope I don't have to travel too often.

I did tell my manager that the only travel I'm doing in the future is to see family. I think he understands and sympathizes.

Bob

In my experience the most hassle-free way of carrying a DE razor is to use a dismantled three-piece DE like the Mühle R41 or R101.
I keep the three pieces in the plastic box that holds the electric toothbrush and toothbrush insert and have never had any problems.

Seeing DE shavers in the classic T-shape on their screens might get TSA cohorts wondering, but three loose pieces together with an electric toothbrush don't even raise an eyebrow as the question of the DE blade doesn't even arise.

I had a trip once that taught me a lesson. Upon boarding the aircraft, I put my bag in the overhead bin across from my seat. Then 3 guys added their stuff to the same bin. #1 got his bag in okay. #2 got his bag in okay. Gentleman #3 had a very large duffel bag, and he kept smashing the bag again and again into the other bags in the bin to try and "cram" his duffel in. He was doing this with great force and determination and didn't care what damage he caused to the other 3 bags. Mine had some rather delicate electronics in it. Finally an airline crew member stopped the guy, took his bag, and had it checked into the baggage hold. What a relief. I don't think guy #3 damaged my stuff, but I'm not sure about how well the bags of the other two guys survived being repeatedly and brutally smashed. One or both the other passengers probably had an unpleasant surprise. Given the considerable physical strength, awesomely low intelligence, and entire absence of consideration for fellow passengers, I believe guy #3 could have eaten a Mühle R41. Munch, munch, here little Mühle! If only you had some orange zest! Probably the R101, the electric toothbrush, and container would have been no trouble for him.

Bob