Frances

An aerosol of expanding foam discharged over my suede shoes in my daughter's rucksack.
I can remove most of it (by use of knife, pumice stone and nail varnish remover) but I will never get rid of it all especially around the stitching.
It occurs to me that the presence of the residue COULD cause a problem in security when flying. Whilst I am only giving what I think are the bare bones of this problem I would like not to be arrested , prosecuted and put on a no-fly list.
I am undecided whether to take my shoes and rucksack to the airport soon (i.e. on a day when I am passing and not flying) and ask the man on the bulky items scanner if he can put them through so that can find out whether they set off alarms.
Considered views anyone?

alanRow

Why do you think <i>the residue COULD cause a problem in security when flying</i>?

RoamsAround

There are two difficulties in trying to answer this type of question.

1) OP doesn't say what the chemical makeup of the residue is.

2) What unusual substance the TS might want to take a closer look at can be a bit arbitrary - sometimes a cause for scrutiny at one airport and completely ignored at a different airport.

The first thing OP should do is go to the TSA website and review the list of prohibited items. If the residue on the shoes and rucksack is the same as something on the prohibited list then it would be wise to leave the items at home. If the residue is not on the prohibited list then he/she probably has nothing to worry about. Regardless, the worse thing that could happen is the items in question could be confiscated. The odds of OP being arrested or put on the "No Fly List" for this type of infraction (if there is indeed one) are very small.

dutyfree

Now days most shoes go through the screening at the airport especially in light of the recent homeland security concerns and a possible shoe bomber.

Frances

Unfortunately I no longer have the offending article and the spec. on the website refers you to the tin. I'll have to make a journey back to the shop to check it.
It was the case that I anticipated a security problem alanRow, as someone who managed to have a Camembert confiscated in Jersey on the basis that it was a liquid!
Maybe overthinking the matter but I wondered whether pitching up at the airport on a day when I wasn't flying might create a problem for me. That is would I be "marked" as an undesirable if this residue was questionnable and would they be waiting for me the next time I checked in?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I don't understand. Are you on a trip now and you will be flying home? Or are you about to go on a trip? If it's the latter, then just don't take the shoes with you.

Frances

No I'm at home but travel abroad 5 or 6 times p.a..
Yes of course leaving the shoes and rucksack will be my bottom line but the rucksack is my daughters and she does not want to write it off.
I have trouble getting shoes which are comfortable which these are and so I was asking if anyone saw potential problems with what I was thinking of doing that is having them checked in advance of wanting to go through security .

janisj

I don't think your plan is even possible. At most airports I've experienced, you must show your boarding pass and photo ID before you get anywhere near the screeners.

I'd just have both items professionally cleaned and take your chances. (Or buy new ones) Even if the residual 'stuff' triggers an alert, it would probably only result in further screening and a short delay.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Okay. I understand now. Come to think of it, the potential problem is that to have the items checked in advance, you have to get in the security line. To get in the security line, you have to have a boarding pass. You'll have that only on the day you fly. You'll be turned away.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Janisj beat me to it.

janisj

By a minute

ChristiS

I have done exactly what you are talking about - taken something I was unsure would pass security to the airport. Be sure you go during slow times at the airport - approach a TSA officer and ask your question. I had no problem getting an answer from them - actually the first person I asked got me the supervisor to speak with. Don't know what airport is near you but definitely avoid peak travel times for this and you should get your answer.

MissGreen

What do you think is going to show up?

Secondly, if you have such concerns, and I have no idea why, just throw them away.

Frances

I have just been to the airport and asked at the bulky items scanner if they would check my rucksack and shoes.
I was aware that this scanner is where you check in items which are not suitcase shaped and is accessible from check-in. They helpfully agreed to do this and pronounced there would be no problem taking these items on a plane.
I have found this helpful and will now be taking the shoes on my next trip.
Thank you for your input. It was all useful.