Liquids, gels, and aerosols

Liquids, gels and aerosols.

Hopefully, the TSA has drilled the 3-1-1 rule into every traveler’s head by now regarding acceptable quantities of liquids, gels and aerosols that can be brought on an airplane in carryon luggage:

3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin.

I took the sentence above (if you want to call it that) right off the TSA website. The emphasis on “placed in screening bin” is mine. It is a key phrase for getting through passenger screening quickly.

The most important divestment rule that passengers need to follow is the removal of all liquids, gels and aerosols from your bags. There is also a rule about the size of containers, but even if your containers adhere to the size rule they must be removed from your carryon bags. The TSA is very strict about this at Dulles. Liquids, gels and aerosols include nail polish, inhalers, toothpaste, mouthwash, spray deodorants, creams, shaving cream and gel, shampoo, and conditioner.

Interestingly, experienced travelers are the most frequent violators of this divestment rule. At least once every shift I get a lecture from a frequent traveler telling me that he/she leaves his/her regulation size toiletries in his/her bag and it is never a problem at any other airport in the country. Well I can tell you definitively that there are a uniform set of rules and procedures that apply to all airports in the US. One of those rules says that all liquid, gels and aerosols must be removed from bags before they are sent through the x-ray. I can’t speak for what goes on at other airports but I wouldn’t want to be around if TSA Administrator John Pistole finds out that any of them are not adhering to the TSA standards. And you won’t save any time lecturing me about how it isn’t a problem everywhere else after we have pissed away ten or fifteen minutes doing a bag check. Just take it out.

I travel frequently and I honestly don’t see what the problem is with having your toiletries in a plastic bag and removing it from your carryon before you put your bag through the x-ray. Even if you have a problem with it, you are better off just doing it. You are not only holding up yourself but you are also holding up everyone else in line behind you. There must be a level in Dante’s hell for the poor TSO having to pick through an over-stuffed carryon looking for a container of nail polish.

You can bring medicine, medically necessary liquid, gels and aerosols, and liquids, gels and aerosols required by infants (formula, breast milk, diaper rash cream, baby food, etc.) in excess of 3.4 oz but these items are subject to additional screening and, again, must be removed from your bags.

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Disclaimer: This material was written by a private citizen hoping to be helpful, not as a representative of the federal government, the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority or of the Transportation Security Administration. Any opinions expressed as well as any inaccuracies are solely the author’s.