On Sept. 26, the Transportation Security Administration adjusted its ban on liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on luggage for flights originating in the U.S. They won’t confiscate your half-ounce bottle of eyedrops now, and you also can keep your ChapStick and Chanel No. 5, provided it comes in a bottle that holds no more than 3 ounces.
Here’s a review of both the new carry-on rules and the rules that have not changed.
What’s OK?
– Travel-size toiletries weighing 3 ounces or less that can fit comfortably in a one quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag can be taken through security.
– Prescription and over-the-counter medications are OK.
– Medically necessary products in containers larger than 3 ounces can be brought through security without the plastic bag if declared to security personnel.
– Liquids purchased at airport concessions (including duty-free shops) after passing through security are OK.
What’s not OK?
– Still banned from carry-ons are toiletries in containers larger than 3 ounces.
– Liquids not purchased from postsecurity airport concessions also still areforbidden, as are gel-like food and objects (that means gel-shoe inserts as well as Jell-O).
– All those things that weren’t allowed before the stricter rules were put in place in August still are forbidden.
From the UK?
– Tighter restrictions continue for carry-on bags on flights from the UK, with a one-bag limit.
– No liquids of any type are permitted, nor are pastes, liquids, gels or aerosols.
– Baby food and liquids are allowed.
– Medicines as necessary for the duration of the flight may be permitted upon verification by security.
From elsewhere?
– At Canadian airports where U.S. preclearance is in place (common for U.S.-bound flights out of major cities), U.S. security rules apply.
– For other flights out of Canada, U.S. rules regarding toiletries and medicines generally apply.
– Flights from European Union countries will implement most of the U.S. rules beginning in late November.
What fits in a 1-quart bag?
We squeezed these legal items in–and there was room for more.
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– Crest .85-ounce tube – Purell sanitizer 2-ounce bottle
– Preparation H 1-ounce tube – Gillette Foamy 2-ounce aerosol
– Scope 1-ounce bottle – Neutrogena hand cream 3-ounce tube
– Visine 1/2-ounce bottle – Tresemme hair spray 2-ounce bottle
– Orajel 1/4-ounce tube – Maybelline makeup 1-ounce tube
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THE DEETS
You still can’t carry on
– Box cutters, utility knives, razor blades
– Meat cleavers, knives and ice picks
– Sabers and swords
– BB guns, compressed air guns, starter pistols, pellet guns
– Firearms, parts of firearms or realistic replicas of firearms
– Ammunition, gun powder
– Dynamite, hand grenades, fireworks, plastic explosives or realistic replicas of explosives
– Flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, turpentine and lighter fluid
– Dangerous chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, spray paint
– Billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles or martial arts weapons
– Mace, tear gas or pepper spray
– Hammers, drills, saws or any tool longer than 7 inches
And since August you cannot carry on
– Any canned or jarred food (for adults), including peanut butter
– Cheese in pressurized containers
– Gel-based or gel-like foods such as gelatin, whipped cream or yogurt
– Gel-based candles
– Gel shoe inserts
Despite the rumors, you can carry on
– Sandwiches and most solid foods
– Baby formula, food and breast milk, provided you are traveling with a baby
– Cameras and camcorders
– Laptops, cell phones, pagers, PDAs
– Knitting needles
And, strange as it sounds, you can even carry on
– Metal scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches
– Tools, screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers less than 7 inches long
The entire list is available from the Transportation Security Administration at 866-289-9673 or www.tsa.gov.
