First of all, some women just take there purse as a carry on and some women just carry a lot of makeup things in their bag. She didn't have to plan on using it for it to be in her bag, maybe she just normally carries it with her. Second, people are complaining about the TSA because of how inconsistent they are about what they confiscate. If you've read the comments above, some people get things as ridiculous as a PEZ dispenser taken away, when some people, like a man I watched on The Colbert Report (or it might have been The Daily Show, not sure), can get away with carrying tons of weapons and dangerous liquids on a plane. The TSA is a joke because half of their employees aren't even doing their job, while the other half are taking away PEZ dispensers and eyelash curlers. We need an airport security that does a better job because I personally don't feel safe riding on a plane when the TSA is in charge of my safety.

Yes, women do carry purses, but she was not just going out with friends, she was boarding a plane and you have to be very mindful of what you take on with you for reasons of getting it confiscated and if you don't need it for the flight, then don't bring it with you. You can't say that "half of the employees don't do their jobs" because you haven't been to every single airport first off, and the many TSA's that do should be respected because they are in charge of our security and well being and maybe it's just me but I'd rather not get blown up when traveling across the country. People need to stop being offended when they get pulled aside to get checked, or stop complaining that security takes so long because you can't take chances with these things. 9/11 could repeat itself and just because things have settled down since then doesn't mean we should put our guard down. It's not the end of the world because you get a 99 cent pez dispenser taken away, just think about what you bring on board.

I understand that people want to feel safe when they fly but why should the government be responsible for their safety? I can't think of a single thing that the government succeeds at (except the military) so why would anyone put them in charge of our safety. They hire the lowest caliber people and put them in a position of exaggerated power. They then look at little kids naked, frisk old ladies, and let every traditionally dressed Muslim walk on by because they aren't allowed to profile. Good job America, way to trade freedom for a false sense of security.

I think you missed my point. Our guard isn't even up. The TSA takes away things like PEZ dispensers and eyelash curlers to make it look like they are doing their jobs, when in reality they are just stealing people's random harmless shit, because if they aren't confiscating anything then their jobs appear to not have a point. Should they take away nail clippers, knives, and other potential weapons? Hell yes. Should they take away things that are harmless just because they have the power to do so? Hell no.

"but why should the government be responsible for their safety" Oh please, what a joke. That's what the government is FOR. To keep its residents safe. I totally agree many of the airport security measures these days are extreme and unnecessary, but we do actually need some security and it is actually the government's job to provide that security. In fact, it's so much their responsibility that I object to them using contractors to get the job done, they should be actual government employees.

"you have to be very mindful of what you take on with you for reasons of getting it confiscated" no kidding. But since when would an eyelash curler pose any sort of threat that would result in it getting confiscated?? I can't speak for TSA because I don't live in the US, but in Australia, I have heard some stupid stories about things getting confiscated (or at least warned "don't bring it next time"). Scissors, knives, metal knitting needles, box cutters I can understand all those things being banned. I can even understand large amounts of liquids being banned. But an eyelash curler? Really? If such stupid things are going to be confiscated, then how should we know what is and isn't suitable to take as carry-on? Yes airport security is important. It doesn't mean they can go over the top and just make up their own rules.

"Let them do whatever they want"??? Why don't you just lie down and let them walk all over you?? There's a line, and when someone feels a situation unjust they shouldn't just close their yapper... Anyway I think maybe OP was feeling nervous and the joke slipped out... and seriously OP that sucks...hope your next time with security is better :)