What Can You Carry-On?

by Valerie Gladstone — August 29, 2007

I should obviously have checked airplane carry-on regulations before my recent flight, as the security people quickly whisked away my cherished shampoo and conditioner because they were in containers that were too big. It’s not exactly the place where you should throw a fit, exclaiming something like "No terrorist would have these products!" A friend of mine did just that last year and almost was pulled off her flight. At least I had been smart enough to put all my other cosmetics in zip-lock bags. But the moral of the story is: be prepared and think small. The following rules now apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.

• All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be 3 ounces or smaller.
• All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon-size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
• Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Tips:

• Buy small plastic bottles at your drugstore and fill them with your lotions, shampoos, and other products that are in too-big bottles.


• Pick up samples at your drugstore and save them for trips.


• Sephora came up with the brilliant idea of organizing products in one section of its Web site that are security-friendly. Check out Airplane Approved Beauty at http://www.sephora.com.