Valerie Aurora ([info]valhenson) wrote,
@ 2008-11-15 05:34:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Liquid advice
I no longer bother taking my liquids out of my suitcase when going through security, and no one hassles me. The official word is that the TSA will gradually relax rules on liquids in carry-on baggage through 2010:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/28/liquid_restrictions_lifted/

But my friends and I have repeatedly gone through security with liquids (a) still in the bag, not in a separate bin, (b) larger than 3 oz. My suspicion is that the TSA just doesn't want to appear stupid for having made a huge fuss about liquids for no reason, so they've told screeners not to worry about them any more while keeping the official policy intact.

Standards probably still vary depending on the airport, but I've done this at SFO, Oakland, Las Vegas, and Islip, and I'm about to try Madison. Ooh, the suspense!!!

--Your friendly travel advice columnist.

(Post a new comment)

Noticed this same thing
(Anonymous)
2008-11-15 05:45 pm UTC (link)
Over the last year or so I've noticed that I no longer have to get things like my chapstick and lip stick into those little Ziplock bags. Over the summer, I was escorting my 15 year old niece through security for her flight when I realized I had all sorts of liquid things in my purse: epi-pen, asthma inhaler, 2 lipsticks, small bottle of "aromatherapy" oil, chap stick and hand lotion. I pointed it out to the TSA agent and asked for a storage bag to put it in and she simply said, "Don't worry about it. Those are all so small, they don't matter." Since then, I've flown many times with those same things loose in my purse, no problems. Now, water bottles on the other hand... I still have to drink all of my water before going through.

This regulation has prevented me from doing just carry on many times, because of my contact solution, deodorant, make-up, asthma medication, sun cream (I am so sun sensitive!), etc, I can't get everything in those plastic bags for a long trip. Good to know it may be getting better soon...

(Reply to this)

It varies
(Anonymous)
2008-11-15 08:00 pm UTC (link)
My experience is that it depends on the airport. Some of them are more lax, and some of them run it completely by the book. It's pretty easy to guess who's going to do what based on the part of the country you're in :) Hint: Dallas/Fort Worth TSA are a pain in the *ss.

But yes, the whole limitation is just plain stupid. Especially since the toothpaste I prefer doesn't come in small containers -- only in the extremely dangerous and completely unacceptable 4.6oz size.

(Reply to this)


[info]jbailey
2008-11-16 04:01 am UTC (link)
Hey, I'd mostly forgotten about all of this. The nice thing about traveling with an infant is that you can bring pretty much any liquid through. I think on the theory that if you were going to blow up the plane, you probably wouldn't feed the chemicals to a child first. Or something...

(Reply to this)

no reason?
[info]fuhchee
2008-11-16 03:15 pm UTC (link)
doesn't want to appear stupid for having made a huge fuss about liquids for no reason

That does not follow. Even TFA says that these restrictions are being relaxed, not because there was never a threat at all, but because they think they can detect the threat better.

(Reply to this)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…