Liquids are 'legal' again!
28/Sep/2006 12:11 PM | Travel News
Did you see business travelers around the country
doing a 'happy dance' in airports this week? If so,
it's probably because the ban on liquids in carry-on
luggage has been lifted. Not completely, but enough
that we won't have to be inconvenienced anymore.
So here's the scoop:
- As of September 26, travelers may now take small amounts of liquid personal toiletries on board. The catch is that you must take travel-sized bottles of 3 ounces or less, and all of the items must comfortably fit in one clear plastic zip-top baggie -- quart sized. This means toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, and sunscreen are all back on the 'good guys' list now.
- You may also take beverages purchased behind the security lines at airports ... coffee, soda, bottled water, etc. (Which is exactly what I've been saying since Day 1! If the stuff must be screened to get past the lines anyway, why isn't it safe enough to take on board?) But of course, be prepared to pay more this way. The Boston Globe did an article which includes a handy comparison chart of beverage prices.
- One thing that wasn't addressed: Whether the items must be in their original bottles. If you're like me, you have some items in unmarked plastic travel containers. So just to be safe, you might want to hunt down actual sample-size packaging of those. If it's any kind of moisturizer or cosmetic product, chances are the manufacturer makes samples. And if they don't now, it's a pretty safe bet they will be soon, to help with this new ruling.
As you can probably tell, I'm thrilled with the new policy. While I never wanted anyone to be unsafe, those extreme restrictions seemed absolutely ridiculous. It's good to know that I won't have to ship my makeup ahead of time to my hotel on any future trips.
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In a related story, rumors have been circulating for weeks now that the confiscated liquid items were being sold by airport employees on eBay. While I haven't been able to confirm that regarding liquids, it is a known fact that other types of contraband items (knives, tools, etc.) are sold by airports at auctions. I also found an article about what at least one airport was doing -- gathering discarded toothpaste and shampoo for the homeless. Although I see both sides of this story, my biggest question is ... if these items are potentially dangerous explosives, why would you want to give it to some unfortunate homeless person?
So here's the scoop:
- As of September 26, travelers may now take small amounts of liquid personal toiletries on board. The catch is that you must take travel-sized bottles of 3 ounces or less, and all of the items must comfortably fit in one clear plastic zip-top baggie -- quart sized. This means toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, and sunscreen are all back on the 'good guys' list now.
- You may also take beverages purchased behind the security lines at airports ... coffee, soda, bottled water, etc. (Which is exactly what I've been saying since Day 1! If the stuff must be screened to get past the lines anyway, why isn't it safe enough to take on board?) But of course, be prepared to pay more this way. The Boston Globe did an article which includes a handy comparison chart of beverage prices.
- One thing that wasn't addressed: Whether the items must be in their original bottles. If you're like me, you have some items in unmarked plastic travel containers. So just to be safe, you might want to hunt down actual sample-size packaging of those. If it's any kind of moisturizer or cosmetic product, chances are the manufacturer makes samples. And if they don't now, it's a pretty safe bet they will be soon, to help with this new ruling.
As you can probably tell, I'm thrilled with the new policy. While I never wanted anyone to be unsafe, those extreme restrictions seemed absolutely ridiculous. It's good to know that I won't have to ship my makeup ahead of time to my hotel on any future trips.
----------------------
In a related story, rumors have been circulating for weeks now that the confiscated liquid items were being sold by airport employees on eBay. While I haven't been able to confirm that regarding liquids, it is a known fact that other types of contraband items (knives, tools, etc.) are sold by airports at auctions. I also found an article about what at least one airport was doing -- gathering discarded toothpaste and shampoo for the homeless. Although I see both sides of this story, my biggest question is ... if these items are potentially dangerous explosives, why would you want to give it to some unfortunate homeless person?
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