Baby Wipes? What's the problem with those?

[Slopey]

Hi All,

I was SLF through Edinburgh last week, and during security screening the (rather grumpy, although I probably would be too) security lassie would only let us take on one pack of baby wipes. She was insistent that we couldn't take two, mentioning something about rules in a mumbled tone. Anyway we went for the bigger pack as she gave us the choice.

She then discovered a tub of Sudocrem (a baby nappy rash cream - inert) and (uh-oh) a jar of vaseline :eek: .

I thought that was it for the vaseline, but then she said "you can only have one - which one do you want?". It was all I could do to not say "I'll have the highly flammable petroleum jelly please", and opted for the sudocrem.

She then dilligently confiscated the lip balm my wife had forgotten to take out of the bottom of the rucksack.

Needless to say, coming back from Mahon to Edinburgh, they didn't even bother checking the bags - too busy cooing over the baby!

[derekl]

From this I can now deduce that the mysterious binary gel explosive that we're all waiting to hear about is actually *drum roll* -- an artful combination of Vaseline and Sudocrem.

[slim_slag]

I would guess they are thinking about the fluid the baby wipes are kept in. Whether it makes sense or not, the security person is just doing his/her job.

[Slopey]

I would guess they are thinking about the fluid the baby wipes are kept in. Whether it makes sense or not, the security person is just doing his/her job.

Yup - I don't doubt she was, but then again I was allowed to have the vaseline if I wanted it! ;)

Just curious is all - there's nothing flammable in baby wipes these days so I just found it odd.

[topdog1]

I may be wrong but surely if you are allowed to take one through I don't see a problem with two! If its classed as a could be dangerous item then surely they shouldn't allow any.

[BRUpax]

It simply demonstrates the lack of consistency and logic. Looks very much like the security job's worth like to impose their own little rules so that they can look important. So so frustrating for the average law abiding pax who is quite happy to cooperate but is constantly subjected to individual whims.

[CHIVILCOY]

What happens to the goodies they take from you? I wonder?:hmm:

[skydriller]

It simply demonstrates the lack of consistency and logic. Looks very much like the security job's worth like to impose their own little rules so that they can look important. So so frustrating for the average law abiding pax who is quite happy to cooperate but is constantly subjected to individual whims.

Yep , it sure does, and that type of inconsistancy and logic has been going on for the last 5 years too.:rolleyes: The difference now is that the entire travelling public is beginning to see the stupidity of it all as opposed to only crew and FFs.:D I just hope that someone (or their family) with authority who can change this BS will get affected soon and things will change....but I dont hold out much hope.:(

Regards, SD..

[Polehill.flt70]

It simply demonstrates the lack of consistency and logic. Looks very much like the security job's worth like to impose their own little rules so that they can look important. So so frustrating for the average law abiding pax who is quite happy to cooperate but is constantly subjected to individual whims.

Definate lack of consistency, however, when some airports are letting through lipsticks and make up (manchester) and others are not (Gatwick etc), is it the airports that are imposing their own rules. Passengers who are regular travellers through a variety of airports are getting annoyed at security 'jobs worths' when the officers are only following their security managers instructions and their interpretation of the rules.

The Dft site says 'includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers'.

So who is correct?


Slopey

From reading the Dft site, seems to me that the security at Edinburgh was giving you the benefit of being a parent and allowing you some items to take as a courteousy. What I have to ask is, if you knew they would be taken off you, why put them in in the first place? :=

PH

[lexxity]

when some airports are letting through lipsticks and make up (manchester)

Lipstick and POWDER based make up only, nothing liquid based, including lip gloss, cream blusher, cream eyeshadow and so on.

Perhaps the baby had nappy rash and was dribbling a lot hence the need for sudocrem and vaseline. Sudocrem is for the nappy rash and vaseline on and under the chin helps to stop babys chin chapping.

[Final 3 Greens]

I would guess they are thinking about the fluid the baby wipes are kept in. Whether it makes sense or not, the security person is just doing his/her job

Jawohl, behfel ist behfel.

[Slopey]

Slopey
From reading the Dft site, seems to me that the security at Edinburgh was giving you the benefit of being a parent and allowing you some items to take as a courteousy. What I have to ask is, if you knew they would be taken off you, why put them in in the first place? :=
PH
Didn't see anything about baby wipes on the BAA site or any of the published guidlines. The vaseline and sudocrem was left in the bag accidentally - its our "standard" changing bag and in the rush to get off on holiday, they were left in there.

We didn't put them in on purpose, just to see! :ugh:

But given they were there, and the vaseline was allowed through, I thought I'd mention it.

[Slopey]

I would guess they are thinking about the fluid the baby wipes are kept in. Whether it makes sense or not, the security person is just doing his/her job
Jawohl, behfel ist behfel.

I agree wholeheartedly, nothing wrong with doing the job, I was just wondering because if they did'nt want them to go on board, why let us take one pack and not the other? (mind you, I think the airline would have been a bit annoyed about the smell - our baby is quite pukey!). They were'nt in fluid, just moist in flat travel packs.

[skydriller]

Slopey,

I think you will find F3G was being ironic(note the German bit!) and that he meant the security decision (or lack of in this case!) was idiotic......;)

SD..:ok:

[avgas321]

Slopey....

I feel as though I, and my wee family, are entirely to blame for your inconvenience. Let me expalin.

While also travelling through Edinburgh last week, I fear as though I may have come across the understandably grumpy security lassie too, and darkened her mood further! :*

We made similar mistakes. In our rush to escape for a warmer climate, we too packed baby creams, pre made SMA Gold and the dreaded baby wipes. Immediately after transitting the security machines and while in the midst of trying to get my belt and shoes back on in the right places, the surly one was already dismantling our baby bag.

The creams - an absolute no no, so off they went to be resold or more likely be at the centre of a controlled explosion.

The milk - obviously one of us had to drink these, so a big thank you to my wife as I find it tastes bloody awful. Although slightly aggrieved at this as it had been painstakingly sterilized etc, I do kinda understand this bit.

The wipes - after looking at them suspiciously, we were told out of the entire, brand new, unopened pack, that we were only allowed to take 4, four, yes //// wipes on board. Now then, Having been up very early to hustle a wife, a 2 and a half year old girl, and a 3 month old son out of the door is no easy task at the best of times, so admittedly, I was a little tired and maybe a tad grumpy myself. No excuse, but a reason for the sarcasm that followed. I enquired why and was told 'I dont make the rules sir, I only enforce them' which further got my back up. Something to do with the amount of liquid they hold blah blah blah. 'Bloody good job they're not let near children then as they appear to be so alarmingly dangerous, eh?' I muttered, walking away realising I had my shoes on the wrong feet and my trousers were falling down, while she mentioned something about a supervisor.

Dont get me wrong, I understand they're only doing a job, but there appears to be no consistency between the UK airports. As someone has already previously mentioned, we also transitted another airport, Gatwick, with the security staff checking what we had and letting us go through with everything in tact while cooing (a little too much!) over our kids. They have their mothers good looks!

Anyway, thank you for giving me the opportunity to bore you with my story, as I feel much better now, and I apologise again!

[Phileas Fogg]

I'm bemused that for my next trip in a couple of weeks time I have to go out and buy some matches as cigarettes lighters are not allowed on my person or in hand or hold baggage.

OK, if I travel with 'Swan Vesta' (non safety) matches then I'm not likely to be in a position to bomb the aircraft but there's a damn reasonable chance that I could set fire to it and without intending to!

[avgas321]

No chance of that happening, as you'll quickly be smothered by all those sodden baby wipe yielding parents! ;)

[Phileas Fogg]

Ah yes, but they're only allowed one packet of baby wipes and I'd be allowed my hand baggage of 45 x 35 x 16 cm to be full of 'explosive' Swan Vesta's but only providing that they are dry. You see soggy matches are more dangerous than dry matches :)

[Polehill.flt70]

avgas321

I had to chortle at your post. Yes (we) security do have a sense of humour.

I would have allowed all the wipes through. As a parent, I know the dribbles and sniffles of a child or 3! I tend to view my job with a common sense approach, in the respect of parents, I know what I need for a flight and how much and why.

PH

ps. I coo over babies! only because hubby says I am not allowed anymore! :)

[GANNET FAN]

avgas321

I had to chortle at your post. Yes (we) security do have a sense of humour.

I would have allowed all the wipes through. As a parent, I know the dribbles and sniffles of a child or 3! I tend to view my job with a common sense approach, in the respect of parents, I know what I need for a flight and how much and why.

PH

ps. I coo over babies! only because hubby says I am not allowed anymore! :)

Polehill, a degree of sanity at last. Please be around LHR at 8am next Thursday T1,

[ALLDAYDELI]

AVGAS321 - how was your SMA packaged.. ? We use that for our little one.
Was it in plastic baby bottles (sterilised) or those premade cartons that you can buy?

Does anyone know if any premade baby milk be bought in AIRSIDE shops (i.e Boots)

I am keen to know as we have a longhaul expedition later in the month departing LHR.

How MANY bottles are you allowed to take through? I seem to recall any "reasonable" amount for the flight being undertaken, provided that they can be tasted by a parent at security control.

Sounds a silly question, Does the baby have to go through the arched scanner? Do they have to remove their shoes to be scanned as well?
Not being pedantic, just curious to know if it is consistent with babies as they do with old grannies.

[avgas321]

Polehill - glad the post was taken the way it was intended. Frustrating at the time, but understandable in the current climate I guess. Anyway, we've decided to sell the kids before our next trip, so no further worries anticipated! ;)

ALLDAYDELI - Right then, bottles are our preferred method for the SMA, so cant really comment on the cartons. In terms of what is avilable airside, I didn't see anything but then I wasn't really looking, so sorry there also!
I think as Polehill stated, the security staff have to use a certain degree of discretion and common sense on these things, so as long as you dont go over board, I dont see too many issues for you, especially as your on a lengthy sector.
Lastly, everything and everyone we had with us had to transit the security scanner thingys (kids, bags, pram etc), but at no time were we asked to remove any item of clothing from the little fella.

Hope the above helps. Good luck with the flight. We used to enjoy flying, especially long haul, but with the kids now anything over two hours locked in a thin metal tube seems to hasten the departure of what little hair I have left on my head!

[Pax Vobiscum]

As a fairly regular Dusseldorfer, I've noticed that they do the security 'by the book' - nothing wrong with that - but I've not encountered anything such as you describe, PF. Maybe I've just been lucky.

I'm assuming you were travelling to the UK and so, as non-Schengen, have to go through security twice? I'll buy you a drink in Uerige's sometime!

[Polehill.flt70]

Polehill, a degree of sanity at last. Please be around LHR at 8am next Thursday T1,


Sorry mate, don't work for BAA!

PH

[Polehill.flt70]

ALLDAYDELI

I would say....use bottles with your milk in them. Some airports are letting through ready made cartons, but some are asking that you cut them open and drink a bit. To make it easier for you, use the bottles. So long as you have enough for the flight. Of its long haul make up the amount and then add a couple.

For baby, again it depends on the airport. We tend to ask parents to remove all bags from the buggy or pram, take baby out if awake and fold buggy/pram up to put through scanner, carry baby through. If baby is asleep, again common sense, we tend to leave it in and give a hand search (thoroughly but without waking baby, if possible).

If you have creams and lotions in the bag, they may be taken off you, so double check. If you require calpol for the flight, get a prescription and note from the Doctor, just to be on the safe side. I would hate for babes to be upset on the flight.

Hope that helps.

PH

[grimmrad]

Slopey....

I feel as though I, and my wee family, are entirely to blame for your inconvenience. Let me expalin.

While also travelling through Edinburgh last week, I fear as though I may have come across the understandably grumpy security lassie too, and darkened her mood further! :*

We made similar mistakes. In our rush to escape for a warmer climate, we too packed baby creams, pre made SMA Gold and the dreaded baby wipes. Immediately after transitting the security machines and while in the midst of trying to get my belt and shoes back on in the right places, the surly one was already dismantling our baby bag.

The creams - an absolute no no, so off they went to be resold or more likely be at the centre of a controlled explosion.

The milk - obviously one of us had to drink these, so a big thank you to my wife as I find it tastes bloody awful. Although slightly aggrieved at this as it had been painstakingly sterilized etc, I do kinda understand this bit.

The wipes - after looking at them suspiciously, we were told out of the entire, brand new, unopened pack, that we were only allowed to take 4, four, yes //// wipes on board. Now then, Having been up very early to hustle a wife, a 2 and a half year old girl, and a 3 month old son out of the door is no easy task at the best of times, so admittedly, I was a little tired and maybe a tad grumpy myself. No excuse, but a reason for the sarcasm that followed. I enquired why and was told 'I dont make the rules sir, I only enforce them' which further got my back up. Something to do with the amount of liquid they hold blah blah blah. 'Bloody good job they're not let near children then as they appear to be so alarmingly dangerous, eh?' I muttered, walking away realising I had my shoes on the wrong feet and my trousers were falling down, while she mentioned something about a supervisor.

Dont get me wrong, I understand they're only doing a job, but there appears to be no consistency between the UK airports. As someone has already previously mentioned, we also transitted another airport, Gatwick, with the security staff checking what we had and letting us go through with everything in tact while cooing (a little too much!) over our kids. They have their mothers good looks!

Anyway, thank you for giving me the opportunity to bore you with my story, as I feel much better now, and I apologise again!

I can completely understand all of your frustration. Though it is odd - in the US we had so far no problems with baby wipes. Fluids - sure. Milk only with baby to prove its final destination (or maybe second to final). But behaviour of the TSA - often the same. We once went in ORD through the security, I was already through with the stroller, my wife with baby on the arm was going through - "beeeep". She had to go back, untie her shoes with the baby on the arm (which was tough with her shoes). I was very unfriendly pushed back by the TSA guy upon asking if the baby could be passed through to me to help and only got a grunted no. I complained about him at his supervisor but I guess with little effect (more to calm my anger and to complain about his behavior, less about the facts, mind you)

[grimmrad]

Vobiscum,
Actually that time I was travelling to a non EU country having overnighted in DUS, I only recall security once but what a 'performance' and I would question what possible threat can a boarding pass be? It is either a piece of card recently issued by the airline staff or, if checked in by internet, a piece of A4 paper but it MUST go through the machine!

Good example of how arbitrary and inconsequent most of this screening is (with the logical exceptions that make sense and maybe some that make sense only for the involved and cleared for classified stuff). In the US you MAY NOT put your boarding pass onto the scanner as you have to show it to the TSA guy behind it... duh!

[ALLDAYDELI]

POLEHILL & AVGAS - cheers for this. I will monitor the situation. We had already thought about the prescription thing for his medicine - thats a good reminder!

[lexxity]

I've already got little mans calpol on prescription, but I am no way getting a docs letter too. They want a tenner to do that.:eek:

[Polehill.flt70]

I've already got little mans calpol on prescription, but I am no way getting a docs letter too. They want a tenner to do that.:eek:

lol Lexxity! The prescription should be fine. I was just covering all bases.