Off to Singapore!!

[CaraBou]

Have fun jca, and do take lots of pics!

Did you bring some of your soap with you to leave behind with some of the great peeps you will encounter?

 

[jcandleattic]

Have fun jca, and do take lots of pics!

Did you bring some of your soap with you to leave behind with some of the great peeps you will encounter?

Yes and no. I did, but my airport threw it away for who knows what reason!!! I brought both candles and soap, had them separately packed and going through security in DIA, they pulled them out and threw them all away. When I questioned them, they just said they weren't allowed (which I know is BS because I've taken plenty in carry-on on other flights!!) So unfortunately nobody on my team got any.

 

[Dawni]

What a waste!

My aunt flies from and to Singapore regularly, most times with just a carry on and for her last two flights she carried about 5 of my soaps with her with no problems. Definitely smells.... Them saying it's not allowed. Pfft..

 

[jcandleattic]

What a waste!
My aunt flies from and to Singapore regularly, most times with just a carry on and for her last two flights she carried about 5 of my soaps with her with no problems. Definitely smells.... Them saying it's not allowed. Pfft..

I've ALWAYS taken my soaps and candles with me in my carry-on, for years, have never had a problem. Took them with me to Switzerland, England, Guernsey, Luxembourg, and all over the US, never ever ever a problem.
The flight out of DIA was even domestic, flying into San Francisco CA, so not even an international flight at that point...
I think they were just on a power trip. Honestly they basically do what they want when they want simply because they can.
They are probably using them right now.

Of course ever since 9-11 I get pulled out of line from TSA to get checked. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
My friend didn't believe me and when she and I flew out to Vegas a few years ago, they pulled me out of line and swabbed my hands. She couldn't believe it, and was surprised I was so calm. I told her, well, I'm used to it, they do it every time, so at this point it's just expected. (Seriously, not joking, it happens every single time) but the taking of my soaps and candles - this was a first. I've gotten questioned about them before, but never have had them confiscated until this time.
Oh well...

 

[amd]

I did, but my airport threw it away for who knows what reason!!!

From experience: Some drug smugglers have started to hide drugs in soap. I've had it happen a few times when my guys have brought me back soap from other countries in their carry on. Sometimes it gets confiscated, sometimes it goes through with no problem. Only once was the guy stopped, they cut the soap in half and then let him go through with it. It's a weird weird world we live in. I always put my soap in check-in luggage.

 

[earlene]

My husband is considered the 'soap expert' at the airport here. They always call on him to come when someone carrying soap comes through. If he's not there, I am not sure what they do, possibly confiscate it, I don't know. Soaps are organic and can look a bit like C4 (an explosive) on x-ray, which is why it alarms in your carry-on luggage.

Like, amd suggests, it's best to put it in checked luggage. But even with checked luggage, sometimes you get called over to explain this or that. My husband himself got called back to checked luggage when we were flying out of our airport because of something in his bag! And they knew it was his suitcase, too. (It was a co-worker of his. Maybe he was just messing with hubby, but there actually was a straight pin sticking out of the exterior pocket of his suitcase.)

jcandleattic, have you applied for Global Entry? If not, you might find it well worth the cost (it's $100 because of the background check required, plus an interview at one of the airports). It really speeds things up on many international flights. Plus you automatically get Pre-Check when you are approved for Global Entry.

 

[jcandleattic]

I knew soap could look like C4, and they will usually open my bags and look, then let me through, but I think because I had the candles and soaps separately this time and in a separate carry-on bag, they decided not to let me through with it? Have no idea why. Like I said, i think it will just depend on who is working that day and what they deem appropriate.

I haven't applied for Global Entry because besides the 3-4 times I've travelled for work, I don't typically travel internationally from the States. And I'm sure after this trip, I will probably only have 1 more trip in the next 5 years I'll have to make for work purposes. Once retired and my husband and I will travel globally quite often, I will look into whatever the rules are then, and go from there.

I know in EU, they are imparting new rules for passport holders to travel within European countries and along with your passport you will also have to carry an additional travel document.. I think that will go into affect in 2020 or 2021. Forget what it's called though.

This is what I was talking about - https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/us-citizens-need-visas-to-visit-europe-in-2021/index.html

 

[dibbles]

Every time I've traveled with soap in my carry on I get pulled aside. I've started putting it in a bag I can remove from my carry on so they can clearly see what it is, and I still sometimes get pulled aside. I've started just mailing my daughter a box of soap when they get low - unless I am checking a bag.

 

[jcandleattic]

I have to bring at least 1 bar with me every time I travel (international or not) because I refuse to use any soap but mine or handmade. I will NOT use commercial again - ever. I'd rather just take a soapless shower than use commercial soap. But most of the time it's in my own personal is in my checked bag.

I honestly don't care that they took it, but what irritates me is the rules of engagement as it were, are so different every single time I go through. I HATE that it's up to the discretion of the TSA agent on duty at that particular time and that is what determines what the rules are and when.

If it's a rule, it should be a rule in every American airport, and should be adhered to by every TSA agent. If it's not a rule, then don't just make it up as you go.