No safety razors in carry-on anymore?

As I understand it, there was an incident in November where a passenger took a straight razor on a plane (which obviously security should have prevented) and then threatened other passengers with it. Though unclear how it addresses the TSA failure over the straight razor, the TSA response was to extend their policy to also prohibit safety razors even without blades. I don’t think it’s published anywhere to date, it’s just the current TSA policy and they have the authority. Doesn’t sound like this policy is consistently applied, but if you do have a safety razor in your carry-on bag there’s a risk they may confiscate it or refuse boarding.

This is an article about the straight razor incident, on a Jet Blue fright from New York to Utah.
https://simpleflying.com/jetblue-passeng...or-attack/

By the way, I know half of you will be reading that article only because you’re interested in identifying the brand and model of straight razor. Let me save you time - it doesn’t say. It only says the razor had a wooden handle and a short blade. Maybe some of you can suggest some possibilities.

Yeah, with what passes for a "straight razor" these days, I am going with shavette. 

I just flew this weekend with a DE in my carryon and had no issues, blade was not in the razor but was in the side pocket of the dopp bag. I’ve been doing that the last few years and haven’t had any issues so far (knock on wood).

Luckily, I had time to go back and check my carryon bag with the razor in it. Definitely didn’t want to lose my Blackbird!

Not upset with the agents - I trust they’re doing what they’re told and are trying to keep everyone safe - just sure hope the TSA isn’t changing their policy to something as nonsensical as this.

I don’t want to sound like a know it all.  I have flown more than 2M miles in my life.  If a TSA agent told me that, I would go through another security line or ask for a supervisor.  That sounds like a scam.

Glad you got your BB home safely!

As I understand it, there was an incident in November where a passenger took a straight razor on a plane (which obviously security should have prevented) and then threatened other passengers with it. Though unclear how it addresses the TSA failure over the straight razor, the TSA response was to extend their policy to also prohibit safety razors even without blades. I don’t think it’s published anywhere to date, it’s just the current TSA policy and they have the authority. Doesn’t sound like this policy is consistently applied, but if you do have a safety razor in your carry-on bag there’s a risk they may confiscate it or refuse boarding.

This is an article about the straight razor incident, on a Jet Blue fright from New York to Utah.
https://simpleflying.com/jetblue-passeng...or-attack/

By the way, I know half of you will be reading that article only because you’re interested in identifying the brand and model of straight razor. Let me save you time - it doesn’t say. It only says the razor had a wooden handle and a short blade. Maybe some of you can suggest some possibilities.

Yeah, with what passes for a "straight razor" these days, I am going with shavette. 

You might be right, and if it was a shavette it perhaps illustrates the difficulties the TSA can have. Under the old rules should a shavette with no blade be allowed through security? Possibly yes, but an empty shavette still looks like a dangerous weapon if it is held to someone’s throat, and the flight crew can’t be sure there’s no blade. It would just look like a cutthroat razor to most people.

Perhaps this is why the TSA changed their policy. If something looks like a razor and the flight crew can’t be certain it has no blade then it could still be used to threaten people with. And you can’t expect all the TSA staff to know about DEs and shavettes and stuff, the way we do - for them it is potentially unclear what type of razor a particular item is, and whether it is allowed or not, so this new policy takes a lot of uncertainty and judgement out of the equation. You can’t tell TSA staff that shavettes are banned - even we can’t all agree what the definition of shavette is.

My son-in-law had a nice muhle confiscated and while TSA was at it they took his Zingari soap. He had no blades in his razor. This happened less than 2 weeks past.

That is really unfortunate Garb … the tsa should post updated guidance if in fact their regulations have changed. If they have not in fact change, I suppose it comes down to the luck of the draw of which agent you get. Really unfortunate.

I'll just leave this here in case anyone is looking for an alternative...

gwsmallwood thanks for this. Is there any risk these would be confiscated? Presumably if the blade is not removable it would be ok but not sure. I suppose the main benefit is if they take it, it is only a few cents.

gwsmallwood thanks for this. Is there any risk these would be confiscated? Presumably if the blade is not removable it would be ok but not sure. I suppose the main benefit is if they take it, it is only a few cents.

I'd imagine it's a big risk. If they're now confiscating razors without blades, with no printed notice or "rules", it leads me to believe it could be the agents perception and comfort level at the time. (Not criticizing, they have a lot riding on their judgement)

Like you said, luckily it's only a few cents.

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gwsmallwood thanks for this. Is there any risk these would be confiscated? Presumably if the blade is not removable it would be ok but not sure. I suppose the main benefit is if they take it, it is only a few cents.

I've spoken to multiple people who use these a lot for travel and they've never had any issues. The blade is fixed in plastic, just like a standard cartridge razor. And if for some reason it does get confiscated, you're only out the price of a disposable. If you're worried, pick up a cheap BIC cart too. If an agent ever tried to confiscate the disposable DE, pick up the BIC, hold them side by side and challenge the agent to explain to you how one is any more dangerous than the other.