Security scam?
 

I recently talked to someone who had gone to Spain with friends from the UK for a long weekend. They picked up ceramic bowls to bring back in their carry on luggage. At airport security the bowls were confiscated on the grounds that no containers over 100mls were allowed in carry on. Is this correct or was it a scam by the security people so they could resell the ceramics?

What they should have done was to ask to speak to a supervisor. If that didn't resolve the issue, then ask to file official complaint or most airports now offer shipping service. It somewhat costly but it's better then just leaving something that they obviously liked and already spend the cash for.

I made a mistake of bringing a big bottle of my favorite cologne (very expensive) and even though it was less than full, (less than 3 ozs. at the moment, the supervisor refused to let it go, although he was very apologetic. Then he told me about the shipping service and it was around $15, I agreed and he instructed the TSA agent to take me to the shipping kiosk, help me fill out the forms and I had pay for the service. She was also very apologetic, but very helpful, and the cologne did arrive in my house about 2 weeks later. The $15 charge saved me about $45 at the moment. I made a mistake, learned my lesson and I make sure I follow the regulations, (regardless if I think they are stupid, sensless).

I think they did question the security but were given little option but to leave their bowls behind. I think they were also worried that they could miss their plane if they raised too much of a fuss. Has anyone else had problems bringing ceramics in their carryon?

Odd that bowls would cause any concern. I could understand if they were bottles but even then if they were empty I do not think those are normally banned.

Where was this "security" check..in Spain, the UK, the US or canada?

They ran into the problem with Spain security - I think it was in Barcelona. I've never heard of this problem before but I haven't recently tried to take such items with my carryon. I'm off to Italy soon and will be thinking of bringing back some souvenirs such as ceramics in my carryon which is why I'm interested to hear if anyone else has had problems.

That is completely out of order.
The 100ml allowance is supposed to be for cosmetics, liquids in liquid carrying containers etc.
To confiscate ceramic bowls is ridiculous and sketchy.
I think you should have them write and complain and demand their stuff be forwarded on. Barcelona airport will have a pretty high standard of english-speaking operatives.