I recently flew and had some ammo with me which were pack according to tsa regulations, I had some loose snap caps in the same case and I was ask to get rid of it.  I tried explaining to the tsa guys that it's a dummy round and  doesn't have any gun powder, and they said I can't take it with me unless it's pack like the ammo.  I concede and don't want to get into argument.  Any similar situations happened to you and what are the legalities when it comes to snap caps since it doesn't mention it on the tsa website.

Wow, that is pretty retarded. Snap caps (unless they were made from spent casings) were always and will always be inert. There is no mention of snap caps on the TSA website because they are perfectly legal and are not and never have been ammunition. That really sucks because you don't want to make trouble with the authorities. The best thing I can suggest is to politely ask to see the regulation regarding snap caps or allow you pass with them. I cannot emphasize politely enough. The other option is to mail it to yourself like if you forget a pocket knife. 

I have a friend who tells a similar story.  TSA confiscated his dummy rounds. 

The annoying thing is that it makes no difference who is right.  They have 100% of the power, and are unaccustomed to being reasonable.

Interesting, the TSA regs do have provisions prohibitting simulated explosives, but that seems to be more for the inert grenades and such and does not specifically mention simulated ammunition. As Tom notes, they are "always right" and unaccustomed to being reasonable or to being challenged. Heck, I had one get all frothy mouthed at a cigar cutter several years ago...ended up having to leave it behind when the NG folks unslung their firearms as they walked toward the disturbance (me trying to reason with the TSA agent...)

I really don't agree with they are "always" right. In fact -- im sure if you complained enough and raised a big enough stink it probably could have been a non-issue. This is wagering though that you have enough time to miss your flight, or don't care if you do miss it.  Now if the airline told you, well they are right since it's their plane.

I didn't want to argue with them since I have a flight to catch and my family is with me. 

Yep. If it where me I wouldn't argue with them. When it comes down to it they have the power. If you argue they could detain you and you might not only miss your flight, but you may have to spend hours detained until they decide what the correct action might be. What a hassle.

I definitely agree with you folks, asserting our rights is a huge hassle. Even in front of our families, I mean, who wants to see dad stand up for our rights, that's so lame. Not to mention pointless because who wants to be detained when its so much easier to give up.

And then you folks post in other threads about where our rights went and how bad our country has become, this is a prime example of why.

 

I definitely agree with you folks, asserting our rights is a huge hassle. Even in front of our families, I mean, who wants to see dad stand up for our rights, that's so lame. Not to mention pointless because who wants to be detained when its so much easier to give up.

And then you folks post in other threads about where our rights went and how bad our country has become, this is a prime example of why.

I do agree with you Tons, however, this is a case where snap caps are at stake. Why lose your feedom, time, and money over snap caps?

We need to pick or fights carefully.
Perhaps Redtail can submit an appeal of the incident, and be compensated for the confiscated items. In effect showing that the rights of travelers need to be more carefully applied.

What good would it be if he got detained? Espeacially if he did not know the exact regulations in question.
Nightly news would report,"crazed hunter detained for attempting to smuggle unknown device"
Then all of us would have even more problems to deal with. 

I'm with Heavies on this one.  Being detained and missing the flight seems like a hefty price to pay for $5 snap caps.  A well written letter to the people in charge would probably have more impact than trying to argue with an mis-informed-possibly-power-tripping TSA worker, who really is just a small bottom cog in a very big machine.

Yea I was standing on principle here. First it was no water bottles, but why stand for that. Then toothpaste, nailclippers, and shampoo. Now snaps caps. Next items are pens, pencils, and paper. Soon we'll have full body x rays. Oh BTW, the TSA can establish rules that you the taxpayer have no say on, you don't get to vote for the head of their office or any of the higher ups and officials, and since no one is voted in they could give a crap about our letters. Its probably gonna take a couple thousand folks to get detained and make a big stink in order to get the media and hopefully our congress to reign these expletives in. Just my two cents but they add up quick.

Yea I was standing on principle here. First it was no water bottles, but why stand for that. Then toothpaste, nailclippers, and shampoo. Now snaps caps. Next items are pens, pencils, and paper. Soon we'll have full body x rays. Oh BTW, the TSA can establish rules that you the taxpayer have no say on, you don't get to vote for the head of their office or any of the higher ups and officials, and since no one is voted in they could give a crap about our letters. Its probably gonna take a couple thousand folks to get detained and make a big stink in order to get the media and hopefully our congress to reign these expletives in. Just my two cents but they add up quick.

I definitely agree with you folks, asserting our rights is a huge hassle. Even in front of our families, I mean, who wants to see dad stand up for our rights, that's so lame. Not to mention pointless because who wants to be detained when its so much easier to give up.

And then you folks post in other threads about where our rights went and how bad our country has become, this is a prime example of why.

 

My action doesn't mean that I am giving up my rights.  I agree that it is very sad indeed that people are trading security and comfort over freedom.   Arguing with them would not do anything good because most of the time you'll lose.  There's only one place where argument should happen and that's what we called the Court.

Airlines should take care of their own security, it is better that way, save the taxpayer's money.  I haven't flew for a long time but after that experience I felt like I'm in a flying prison.  There's no fun to it anymore.  Just like you said you can't take this, you can't take that.  And now we have those peep scanners, sooner or later we'll all be flying naked.

New guy here, but wanted to share my experience.  I was stopped by TSA at WA's SeaTac airport because of snap caps.  I had flown in with handguns, ammo and snap caps with no problem.   I tried to explain that they were solid aluminum and not ammunition (I had them with my toiletries, not in the locked gun case to differentiate).  Low man TSA said supervisors were out to lunch and just throw them away.  "Sure.  You guys can pay me the $12 for them" which got him literally spinning trying to figure out where and who to talk to.  I even recommended the POLICEMAN a few yards away.  Nope.

Missed my flight.  Got the Supervisor to agree they were inert pieces of metal.  They still had me duct tape them together to simulate "packaging".  But the pocket knife next to the toothpaste was not an issue.

Justin