I was flying back from Linz airport back last February with 3 friends (we're not aircrew). My friend had a small (150mm) plastic tripod for his camera confiscated at the security desk. In spite of his protestations they wouldn't relent and when my friend complained they called the police. My friend argued his case even pointing to the vast array of duty free bottles (and big leather belts with enormous steel buckles) he could buy should he want to hit the pilot over the head ! They wouldn't relent and eventually gave my friend details of who he could complain to.
Here's the strange bit that I bet you wouldn't get in the UK. As we were going through passport control, said policeman called my friend out of the line and gave him his tripod back WITH an apology for the agravation.