Is it for liquids only, or can there be other related things in there? I don’t fly often, but I’m flying tomorrow, and I’ve got a bag of the usual liquids/gels (toothpaste, deodorant, contact solution, etc., all under 3 oz), and I’m wondering if I could/should also throw a toothbrush, disposable razor, and contact case in there. Does it matter, or is there a “right” way to do it?
If I shouldn’t or don’t need to put the extra stuff in the “official” quart bag, I’m assuming its OK that I pack it in another one if I want to, right? Even though you’re allowed only 1 for liquids, you can still pack other stuff in other ziploc bags and they’re just not subject to the same search and you don’t need to take them all out going through security, right?
Also, possibly related, I have a very small pill bottle of all OTC stuff. Basically some Advil, vitamins, and some other random stuff in case I need it. Anything special I need to do with this? Put it in the clear bag too?
In case its relevant, I’m flying domestically within the USA. Like I said, I don’t fly a lot and am just trying to make it as smooth as possible, and avoid looking dumb going through security if I’m doing something wrong. Also trying to avoid having anything I need for my trip thrown out or confiscated because I didn’t pack it right. I’m not checking a bag or I’d just put the stuff I’m not clear on in there.
No worries. Most places don’t look very closely at the bag or even require it to be out of the luggage as long as there’s no oversized containers visible in the xray.
Thanks for the replies, it makes me less nervous about what I can/can’t do since it does sound like there’s some leeway. I guess I’ll put everything in my single 1 quart bag and if they even look at it I should still be fine either way. Thanks again.
I have a SwissCard with the knife blade taken out, which then makes it legal to carry-on. But the tSA dudes are trained to look for those, and twice they stopped and dug into my bag looking for the “knife” and then said Ok. So now I put it in my clear plastic bag so they can see it clearly, and they know i am not trying to smuggle a dangerous weapon on board. :rolleyes:
I suppose it depends on where you fly. I’ve never been to LAX but fly twice a week and fairly regularly see the TSA confiscate anything over 3 oz. Also see the cnfiscate it if it was under the limit but not bagged and sent through seperately.
I try to follow the rules for flying, and am usually careful about my ziplock bag. It’s not that much of a problem for me, since I plan for it. I pack the bag in an easy-to-reach compartment, which is where I then put my wallet, keys, and cell phones. That helps me remember to take care of it.
A few times last year, I managed to forget to take the ziplock out of my carry on. I didn’t realize it until after I was through security, so I TSA either didn’t notice either, or, more likely, didn’t care.
Canadian security sites generally have a table with the plastic bags. I use them as a toiletries kit, as mentioned above, throwing in a toothbrush and deodorant with the mini toothpaste. That said, my son inadvertently brought a pocketknife on board with his carry on the last time we traveled, so who knows what they may or may not find or question.
Notwithstanding the experience of other posters above in practical situations, the regulation does require liquids to be in the quart bag and put out in a tray, not packed. Maybe you can get away with packing it and they won’t care, but maybe you’ll end up with a big hassle and they won’t be impressed if you say, “But someone on the SDMB said you don’t enforce that!”
At any rate, you can put whatever you want in the plastic bag. The point of the bag is for them to make it easy to inspect your liquids without having to rifle through your carry-on luggage. (Also recall this is for carried-on liquids only, no limits on what you can pack in checked bags.)
There is no need to do this if it does not include liquids. However, be aware that although TSA is not a law enforcement agency per se, they sometimes get a little excited if they think they find illegal drugs or other contraband. If you have any controlled substances, like a Vicodin prescription, it wouldn’t hurt to take them out even it’s not technically required. This is strictly a matter of opinion.
:dubious: I flew out of LAX (to London) in May of last year, and had a half-used tube of toothpaste, that I had forgotten to put in a clear plastic bag, confiscated by the TSA.
Did they actually tell you that you violated the plastic bag rule? I’d say they took it because a “half-used tube of toothpaste” is going to be over 3 oz.
The “over 3 oz.” rule is still very much in effect.