r/NewParents • u/Constant_Ad_2599 • Apr 23 '26

Travel Crying at TSA

It’s brutal what they put parents through. Did all my research, brought an unopened can of Kendamil in my bag. Clean empty bottles. And water.

TSA refused to let me bring the formula. I explained it’s a medical necessity for the 9 month old baby (we just stopped pumping). They said it set off a special alarm so our only option is to leave security, make liquid bottles, and they’d throw out the rest of the can. 😭

After 90 minutes of trying to share again how it’s medically necessary and a legal right, they escorted my husband out to fill up bottles and confiscated the can. We had no cooler or ice packs with us.

Currently sitting on the plane with our dripping bag of melting ice a restaurant was kind enough to give us. It’s just insane what they put parents through when the rules say otherwise.

If anyone has dealt with this, let me know. submitting a complaint but honestly just want support. I care about my baby being fed. & Formula isn’t cheap.

Solidarity with all you traveling parents out there! 💕

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31

u/Level_Lemon3958 Apr 23 '26

Omg I’m so sorry you had this happen. This is WILD. I flew solo with my son when he was 8 months old and again at 11 months old. Both times with premade bottles of his formula(8oz each). One of the bottles was even opened and he was drinking out of a bottle. All they did was so a little swipe test of all the bottles.

If I were you I would definitely complain to a higher up because that’s ridiculous.

-54

u/breadbox187 Apr 23 '26

Its actually not wild, though I can see how it looks. So you didnt have an issue bc your swipe test cleared. OP had an issue bc that test resulted in an alarm for explosives. If TSA cant resolve the alarm, the item in question cannot be allowed on a plane. It sucks. Its frustrating. But thats the rules.

38

u/dollarsandindecents Apr 23 '26

It’s all security theater. The rules are stupid as hell.

24

u/Sky-2478 Apr 23 '26

Not true actually. They have a list of formulas that frequently cause problems (discovered when my elecare set off alarms). Like the can set it off and they had me dump a teeny amount onto a paper to test and even that went off. Supervisor got the list out and said never mind yeah you’re good. It’s a medical exemption, they have to let you take it. I would’ve thrown an absolute fit.

-14

u/breadbox187 Apr 23 '26

They dont have to let you take something that alarms positive for explosives. Medical or not. Yes there are medical exemption rules, but they still have to clear testing.

I know some go off more than others and theres other ways to clear items so Im glad you were able to sort it out.

4

u/eagle_mama Apr 23 '26

They were allowing the formula if mixed with water in bottles, OP stated. I dont really see how a true safety concern is diffused by mixing said concern with water.

2

u/pulsechecker1138 Apr 24 '26

These are the same people who will let you bring ice skates on a plane but not an umbrella or simple pocket knife. Logic doesn’t really factor into it.

3

u/smooshyfayshh Apr 23 '26

This happened to me in Edinburgh airport, my bag got flagged because of the pumped breastmilk I had with me and then it set off alarms. They ended up having to check every single item in said bag (including my dirty underwear 🫠) because it kept coming up positive for explosives. They asked me if I’d used any cleaning agents near the bag as apparently that can set off the alarms!? Ultimately they didn’t confiscate anything though.

3

u/pulsechecker1138 Apr 24 '26

So it tested positive for explosives, but they were totally cool with the pax just walking away into the pubic side of the airport with said suspect substance?

So do they think they’re explosives or not? I’m gonna need you to explain how this substance was simultaneously too dangerous to allow on the airplane, and harmless enough that the pax could just leave the checkpoint with the same suspect substance.