Hey, you ever been held up in airport security because some knucklehead broke probably every
liquid rule there is?
Going through security is hard enough, what with taking off your shoes, emptying your
pockets, pulling your laptop or tablet out of your bag.
So why on Earth have they come up with this ridiculous liquid thing to slow us all down
when you hear those dreaded words: “Excuse me, can you step aside and open your bag?”
Listen, I get it.
Corkscrews and scissors might not be anything special, but they are sharp and pokey, so
I can understand why you’re not allowed to travel with such items in your carry-on.
Who knows?
Maybe they could hurt someone if your bag is up in the overhead locker and your neighbor
is trying to push their bag in next to yours.
…Or, ya know, when the person behind you keeps pushing your seat with their knees and
you’ve had just about enough!
Hey, I’m kidding!
But what’s so dangerous about a bottle of water or your favorite perfume or cologne?
Does it have something to do with the pressure in the cabin?
Can my liquids somehow mess with the plane’s navigational system?
That’s why they ask you to put your cellphone on airplane mode – maybe the two are related?
It’s got something to do with liquids specifically being within your reach because you can pack
as many as you want in your checked luggage.
Well, I’m sure you know by now that it all comes down to security.
Yes, we’re living in a different time, and believe it or not, there have been cases of
bad guys making explosive stuff with water bottles and even tubes of toothpaste!
And, thus, the rules on “liquids, aerosols, and gels” (or LAGs for short) were adopted.
Many argue that it’s not the best fix since bad people can do bad things even if they
only have a tiny amount, but, hey, restricting liquids is the fix for now until they think
of something else.
What’s surprising is that there’s no single document on these aviation security standards
that gets used by all airlines in the world.
But there are some organizations involved in the maintenance of airplane safety.
For example, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulates everything related
to flights, from aircraft design down to the rules of transporting batteries.
The ICAO issues lengthy documents with standards that all member countries must comply with
as well as some recommendations to follow.
They sometimes even send auditors to check if partner countries are abiding by the norms.
But airports and airlines can even have their own rules.
For example, in 2016, many of them banned flying with the faulty Samsung Galaxy Note
7, which, if you remember, tended to explode on airplanes!
They made that call without waiting for an official ban from the authorities.
But the lists of things that can and can’t be in your checked and carry-on luggage are
the same no matter where you go.
So, before you head out on your next flight, here are some things to keep in mind!
In general, your carry-on luggage can have liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers
that hold no more than 3.4 oz.
That is, you can’t take a whole bottle of shampoo, but you can divide it all up into
smaller containers.
(Although, not really, but I’ll get into that here in a bit!)
You’re also not allowed to take a whole 12-oz bottle even if it’s mostly empty and
there’s only a little shampoo left at the bottom.
Nope, you still need to get a travel-size of the product or squeeze what’s left of
that bottle into a travel-safe one.
Now, if you’re like me and thinking, “Ok, if I’m only allowed tiny bottles, then I’ll
just take a whole BUNCH with me!”
– I’ve made that mistake, so here’s my warning to you.
All these 3.4-oz containers must fit into a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic
bag.
And before you grab the biggest Ziploc bag you’ve got, remember that your liquids bag
should also be no bigger than quart-sized.
That’s about 8 x 8 inches, give or take.
So, yeah, ya still must limit your tiny bottles…
It should also be able to close, so don’t even think about stuffing it full so that,
technically, everything’s in there even if the thing doesn’t zip shut!
(Again, just talking from personal experience here!)
If you’re traveling with friends or family, you should also remember that all these rules
apply for each passenger.
And don’t assume that liquids are just about drinks.
Toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant, liquid or gel makeup (even your mascara and lip gloss!)
– these are just the toiletries that must abide by the rules.
If you’re packing a snack for a long flight, yogurt, butter, soft cheeses – they count
too!
Finally, here’s a pro-tip: they’re gonna ask you to take that liquids bag out and put
it in its own tub to go through the scanner.
While you’re standing in line, go ahead and get it out and ready to put in a tub instead
of fumbling around once it’s your turn to put all your things on the conveyer belt!
Trust me, you’ll get fewer sighs and eye-rolls from the folks behind ya!
And, of course, there are some exceptions to this strict liquids rule.
Anything to do with food for kids, you can take as much as a small child (usually up
to 2 years) will need during the flight.
Also, if you use any medications, you should provide proof from your doctor indicating
the total amount you’ll need during the flight.
Otherwise, unfortunately, some airlines may ask you to leave them in your checked luggage.
Oh yeah, and if you’re ever unsure about a certain item, you can always check the airport
security’s website, like the TSA or similar authority in your country.
But for now, you’ve got all the basics.
So let’s talk about what happens if you forget to abide by the liquids rule.
Uh-oh, cue the horror music!
Actually, it’s not that bad.
Inconvenient, sure, but not the end of the world…
- First off, if prohibited items were found in your bag before you check in, you can either
give them to those who accompanied you to the airport or put them in your car if it’ll
be waiting for you out in the parking lot.
Of course, I’m talking about things that can’t even be kept in your checked luggage!
You can also hand them over to the airport, and they’ll keep your stuff safe until you
can get it back.
If none of those options are available, check if the airport has a mail service so that
you can send any items prohibited for travel to your friends or family.
- Now, if the prohibited items are found in your suitcase after you’ve already checked
in, in most cases you’ll be told to go back to the registration desk, pick the item up,
and choose any of those options I just mentioned.
Otherwise, the thing is going to be confiscated.
Hey, it sounds scarier than it is, so no worries!
You’ll probably get it on the way back.
In any case, if the thing is supposed to be confiscated but it’s near and dear to you,
like, for example, your grandpappy’s old pocketknife, explain this to the security
personnel.
Most likely, there is a way to save it.
- Finally, if any prohibited items were found in your carry-on luggage and you can still
return to the check-in desk, then just put them in your checked luggage if you can.
If you can’t do that, then the thing will probably be confiscated.
Again, not a big deal if you handle this situation the right way.
On that note, items that have been seized are stored at the airport until the owner’s
return.
Just make sure that the thing wasn’t simply confiscated forever but that you get some
sort of documentation of it giving you the right to get this thing back.
Of course, I’m talking about legal and generally harmless stuff.
For example, let’s say they find an expensive cream that you’re not ready to part with
in your carry-on while you’re going through security.
If you don’t have the option to put it in your checked luggage, leave it in the storage
room at the airport, get all the necessary papers and documented proof, and just pick
it up when you come back.
Sure, it’ll be a shame that you can’t use this awesome cream while you’re away,
but, hey, it’s better than tossing it in the trash!
I’d still say it’s better to avoid all that mess in the first place and just stay
in the know about what you can and can’t transport while traveling.
After all, airports are stressful enough, so why make it even harder on yourself and
risk losing your precious things?
You should be excited about traveling, not full of dread about all the security rules
and restrictions!
Hopefully these tips will help you on your next trip.
Bon voyage!
So, do you think airport security is too strict?
Let me know down in the comments!
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