Narrative:

First officer went through security first for secondary screening with wand and pat down. There was discussion with the guard over metal in his shoes and he stated they were non-metal shoes and that's why he bought them. The screening was extremely thorough.I was second to be screened and received the same polite and friendly screening; my suitcase was flagged by the screener who called for the supervisor. One of the screeners took my bag and said we're looking at your toothbrush case. He asked me to show them how to open my bag and was polite and professional. I helped him open the suitcase and pointed to where the toothbrush case was. It was on top so it could be easily seen. They removed the toothbrush from the case. They continued searching my bag item by item and asked me about different items in my bag. The conversation continued to be polite and professional. A supervisor walked up and said we're going to take your toothbrush case. I asked why; and without establishing eye contact; he told me it looked too much like a weapon. I said 'are you kidding me'? I asked the same individual if I could take it back to the ticket counter as checked baggage so I wouldn't loose my toothbrush case. He stated that he would do that. I didn't know what to make of it all. I waited for a minute at the end of security clear area not knowing if I was done. After a couple of minutes; I went through us border control and on to my airplane. I arrived at the gate and asked the gate agent how her day was; she advised me that there were long lines at security and we would probably be late. I told her that I too had issues at security with my toothbrush case and that it was supposed to be checked in as checked luggage; could she please check on it because I didn't want to leave it behind. I checked with operations later over the radio to see if they knew if it made it on. The gate agent walked up to the cockpit and said the last people from security made it through. I asked again if she knew if the case made it on; she didn't know and I told her we couldn't wait for it and we departed the gate. The following day I received a phone call from my chief pilot that I was taken off my trip and flying status due to security concerns. I was shocked at the phone call.the reason I have the case is because my toothbrush has a lithium ion battery that cannot be removed. Years ago; prior to using the case; the toothbrush activated while in my suitcase while in flight. I noticed it after landing and it was hot to the touch. The on/off switch is a micro-switch which is easily tripped on/off. The case is made from a 1' plastic pipe with multiple perforation holes to prevent mold/mildew. There is a plastic cap on each end. This was done in the interest of safety (eliminating the safety risk I mentioned prior). I'd been through hundreds of screenings over many years with the same toothbrush case. The only comment I'd heard prior was 'clever idea'.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Captain reported that airport security would not allow transport of an electric toothbrush in the pilot's carry-on baggage.

Narrative: First Officer went through security first for secondary screening with wand and pat down. There was discussion with the guard over metal in his shoes and he stated they were non-metal shoes and that's why he bought them. The screening was extremely thorough.I was second to be screened and received the same polite and friendly screening; My suitcase was flagged by the screener who called for the supervisor. One of the screeners took my bag and said we're looking at your toothbrush case. He asked me to show them how to open my bag and was polite and professional. I helped him open the suitcase and pointed to where the toothbrush case was. It was on top so it could be easily seen. They removed the toothbrush from the case. They continued searching my bag item by item and asked me about different items in my bag. The conversation continued to be polite and professional. A supervisor walked up and said we're going to take your toothbrush case. I asked why; and without establishing eye contact; he told me it looked too much like a weapon. I said 'are you kidding me'? I asked the same individual if I could take it back to the ticket counter as checked baggage so I wouldn't loose my toothbrush case. He stated that he would do that. I didn't know what to make of it all. I waited for a minute at the end of security clear area not knowing if I was done. After a couple of minutes; I went through US Border Control and on to my airplane. I arrived at the gate and asked the gate agent how her day was; she advised me that there were long lines at security and we would probably be late. I told her that I too had issues at security with my toothbrush case and that it was supposed to be checked in as checked luggage; could she please check on it because I didn't want to leave it behind. I checked with Operations later over the radio to see if they knew if it made it on. The gate agent walked up to the cockpit and said the last people from security made it through. I asked again if she knew if the case made it on; she didn't know and I told her we couldn't wait for it and we departed the gate. The following day I received a phone call from my chief pilot that I was taken off my trip and flying status due to security concerns. I was shocked at the phone call.The reason I have the case is because my toothbrush has a lithium ion battery that cannot be removed. Years ago; prior to using the case; the toothbrush activated while in my suitcase while in flight. I noticed it after landing and it was hot to the touch. The on/off switch is a micro-switch which is easily tripped on/off. The case is made from a 1' plastic pipe with multiple perforation holes to prevent mold/mildew. There is a plastic cap on each end. This was done in the interest of safety (eliminating the safety risk I mentioned prior). I'd been through hundreds of screenings over many years with the same toothbrush case. The only comment I'd heard prior was 'clever idea'.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.