This is a copy of the response I received from the TSA about my complaint:

Thank you for your e-mail.

The Trans­porta­tion Security Ad­min­is­tra­tion's current security screening procedures require all carry-on luggage and accessible property be screened before passengers take them onboard an aircraft. Regardless of whether an item is on the prohibited or permitted items list, the Trans­porta­tion Security Officers (TSO's) have discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if the item poses a security threat.

Therefore, TSA security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items like a Tide pen into the sterile area of the …continue.

This is the copy I received of the complaint I filed using the free wireless access from the secure area of the Gainesville, FL (GNV) airport.

To: tsa-con­tact­cen­ter@dhs.gov
Category: Complaints
Sub Category: All Other Complaints

Message:

While passing through security at the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), my Tide(R) pen was con­fis­cat­ed from my quart zipper-top bag by a TSA agent.

When asked why, I was told that bleach was not allowed on the airplane. When I pointed out that the product does not contain bleach, I was told that all hazardous substances were not allowed. I asked that about the soap and water inside the Tide pen was hazardous, …continue.

Yet another example of idiocy provided by the Trans­porta­tion Security Ad­min­is­tra­tion (TSA): While travelling from Gainesville, FL (GNV) to Atlanta, GA (ATL) on Delta airlines, my Tide Pen was con­fis­cat­ed.

Why am I angry about this? Well, I can tell you it's not because of the $4 that my government has illegally con­fis­cat­ed -- if that bothered me I'd make a FairTax reference. No, I'm angry because the reason that my Tide Pen was con­fis­cat­ed is because the dolt of a TSA agent ar­bi­trar­i­ly decided that he was going to take mine. That's it. More you say?

So the agent looks at the items in my 1 qt. zipper-top …continue.

I sent my con­gress­man Rep­re­sen­ta­tive Corrine Brown a request for support from the Fair Tax Website. Her reply (which was sent twice, 13 minutes apart) did not contain the word "tax" , and the only occurance of the word "fair" was in reference to the 2000 and 2004 elections.

Her response, clearly a form message, is only surprising in that it doesn't contain the word "tax" at all -- I'm surprised that any con­gress­man is able to avoid that three letter word in a 606 word email.

I am also amused that it's 2006 and a point of focus for my elected U.S. rep­re­sen­ta­tive is the 2000 Pres­i­den­tial Election. Shouldn't …continue.