Following Directions

Andrew Rich is a veteran traveler who is meticulous in following directions. He's an engineer. I spoke to him recently about his experiences with medically necessary liquids. Mr. Rich and his wife carried a 12 ounce container of Ciba Vision Clear Care Cleaning and Disinfecting Solution per the TSA guidelines.

Eye drops and saline solution are specifically named in the permissible medical liquids policy. The policy also allows for containers larger than 3.4 ounces as long as they are separate from the "3-1-1" quart bag and declared to a TSA officer.

An un-named TSA Supervisor purported that "Ciba Vision" has chemical qualities which alarm certain detection systems. Mr. Rich pointed out that medically necessary liquids were allowable if they were declared. The Supervisor became belligerent, confiscated the contact lens solution and ordered a repeat screening of Mrs. Rich in a retaliatory move. Apparently, reminding a Supervisor of administrative policies is not a good thing.

Mr. Rich gave up and relinquished the bottle. Like most of us, his flight was departing and he had few options. Mr. Rich did write to the TSA hoping to resolve the conflicting policies, address the unprofessional conduct of the TSA Supervisor and if lucky, recoup the cost of the Ciba Vision.

It has been over eight months since Mr. Rich wrote to the TSA. I can understand the denial of monetary reimbursement. I believe our government is spending enough. However, I can not understand why he hasn't received a response. Mr. Rich continues to travel with “Ciba Vision”. Apparently the chemical qualities dissipate when combined in four separate 3 ounce containers.