Too true, swalter. You just can't take it off all day! (And it has to look cute.)

payant: "The front desk suggested my wife use one of the outlets under the desk!"

It is most common to not have any but razor outlets in bathrooms. Has absolutely nothing to do w/ the Renaissance la Defence being misogynist.

Using 250 volts in in a bathroom is not something I'd want to do. You usually have to use outlets in other rooms . . . . .

I contacted the TSA before taking my butane curling iron to Ireland. The response I received is below. I packed it in my checked baggage as I was told by someone else they would take it out of my carry on. I had no problems and my luggage was not searched. I printed out a copy of the email from the TSA and placed it with the curling iron, just in case.

Thank you for your email message concerning traveling with a butane curling iron. We apologize for the delay in responding and hope the following information is still helpful.

You may place the curling iron in carry-on or checked baggage. The safety cover must be in place over the heating element. You may not carry any extra butane cartridges in carry-on or checked baggage.

As changes and enhancements to aviation security are implemented TSA publicizes Traveler Tips in local and national media, as well as on its website at www.tsa.gov, to aid travelers with the enhanced screening processes.

TSA Contact Center

That email is at odds with the list of prohibited items posted at the linked URL. Here is the list:

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interweb/a...ited_Facts.doc

If a TSA agent going by the published list sees your curling iron with fuel, I hope they will confiscate at least the butane. Flying is dangerous enough without passengers carrying explosives on board.

When I contacted TSA to confirm the new rules re butane tanks and lighters (I teach a packing class and give out the latest TSA info) I was told - You can take the iron but not any tanks.

BTW - many years ago (early 90's long before TSA was even a glimmer in anyone's eye) I owned a Butane hair dryer. Took it on a trip to Scotland via several airports in the States/Canada. The butane was just fine -- UNTIL I was going through Logan on my way home. There it was confiscated. It was explained to me how dangerous it was - I hadn't given it a second though before that.

So do what you want - but like robespierre I sure hope you aren't on my flight. Why anyone would want to carry explosives w/ them - for a hair style no less?????

oops - meant a Butane CURLING IRON.

The braun curling iron got way too hot and after using it for a few weeks (at home) it started to fry my ends. I have really thick hair and I've never had my hair get so visibly damaged by heat. This was around 8 years ago, perhaps they've made improvements to the Braun since then. I had to purchase an iron in London but it makes me happy to pull it out whenever I start packing for another trip.

Scuti makes a small travel flat iron for hair that is light, folds up, and is dual voltage and worked much better than my standard flat iron used with a converter/transformer (the old standard model just didn't heat up).

The butane cartridge may be 'allowable' under TSA, but I've had them confiscated (taken out of the curling iron) by security. Unftly, I don't remember if in US or returning to US, but I was bummed since they were great. (I was able to buy them at Target about 5-6 yrs. ago).

Magellan's has a folding curling iron that is dual voltage - automatically, you don't have to decide. I just used it and thought it was great. I also avoid the 'shaver only' outlets and just use the ones in the room and find the closest mirror.

oh, the price of vanity

Flammable gases in carryon or checked luggage are prohibited by TSA regulations. Click the link above.

I don't know where you got the idea they were "allowable," because they certainly are not.

Rob, see zshark's message... although when I re-read it, it said curling iron allowed, no extra butane cartridges... I don't know if they consider the one IN the curling iron as 'extra' or not.

But clearly, since I had one confiscated, I didn't expect them to actually go through security without a problem.

Bottom line, I wouldn't take the chance.

I know that Canadian regulations permit curling irons containing hydrocarbon gas on board aircraft, but gas refills for such curling irons are prohibited.

As always, however, the screening officer retains the right to prohibit any item they feel could pose a threat.

This link is from July of 2000. I suspect Kathy has decided how to curl her hair by now---for the record, my wife had her butane curling iron confiscated by TSA when we were in Atlanta. Didn't bother her that much because she didn't like it--not enough heat to do a decent job. She carries her standard curling iron and uses a convertor!

surfmom, see my message immediately after zshark's message. The "extra" mentioned in the email is not part of the regulation at the tsa site.

Rob, I don't disagree that butane is a dangerous fuel.

When I initially read zshark's message, I took it to mean that the butane cartridge IN the curling iron was allowed, but no extra cartridges carried separately were permitted.

Apparently, I read the TSA email incorrectly.

So, I agreed with you - that its not a good idea. I gave an example of why I don't recommend it. I gave a further recommendation of something that might work (so I'm clearly trying to help solve the problem).

I'm sorry I'm such an idiot that I read a prior post wrong. Thank you for pointing out multiple times what an idiot I am. Do you understand that this is why people are turned off by this board?

I think we're posting at cross-purposes (and, for the record, I don't think you're an idiot).

The poorly-worded email zshark received from TSA had that &quot;extra butane cartridges&quot; business in there, and my purpose was to point out that the regulations prohibit <u>all</u> LPGs, whether checked or carried.

I just returned from France, flying AA to ZRH then Swiss to Nice. I had in my checked bag a butane curling iron. My bag had a paper telling me that it was inspected. The curling iron and butane cartridge was still there as it has been the past 35 trips to Europe. But in Nice I bought an electric one at Dartys(Revlon) because I don't like to chance running out of butane. This is my third purchase of a curling iron in Europe. I continue to carry the butane one for touch ups on overnight trains or airports after being covered with snow as in ZRH April 5.

Even if this began as an old post, it's still useful for hundreds (or more) looking for answers to similar questions. I never assume that answers to my posted questions here are just for me -- I assume those replies are for many people following a thread, whether now or in the future.

Rob, thank you for not thinking I'm an idiot



I'm happy to let this dead horse rest in peace...

scatcat, the TSA screwed up by allowing your cartridge to remain.

The regulations clearly prohibit full or partial butane tanks in either checked or carry-on luggage.

This is one TSA regulation that I agree with fully.

<b>Do <u>you</u> want to be on the airplane when a tank fails at high altitude and releases several hundred cubic feet of explosive gas into the cabin?</b> I sure don't. So do me a favor and don't flout the law, okay?