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Confused with carry-on rules?
Things you should know, plus 10 tips
 | Michael Grindrod, left, and Sarah Sards of Fort Myers, Fla., with their son Michael, show baby formula and other items to Transportation Security Administration worker Nick Zuzolo, right, at a security checkpoint at Boston's Logan International Airport, Sept. 26th. |
Bizuayehu Tesfaye / AP file |
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Mind you, I have rewritten this column five times just to keep current with the latest Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines, so you’d better double-check the rules before you go, because they have probably changed since I put down my pen.
But first let me ask you something. Have you noticed anything different about air travel recently? I mean, besides the hassle of checking your bags and waiting for them at the other end? Something inside the airplane? Why, yes: It’s the sudden availability of space in the overhead compartments — even on full flights. It sure saves a lot of aggravation in my job. I think the last time flight attendants got a break like this was when smoking was banned on the airplane.
I know it’s pathetic to get excited over something so trivial, but surely nobody misses those gate delays caused by all those many “carry-on” items. How many times did you get to your seat and discover — surprise! — the overhead bin was crammed tight with duffle bags, overnighters, laptops, shopping bags, Stetson hats and coats of all shapes and sizes? You were then forced to stuff your carry-on under the seat in front of you, leaving no room for the items you’d most like to stow: your legs.
At the height of the London bomb scare, I worked up a trip to England just to see what it was like to fly with a total ban on carry-on items. Flight attendants seemed to dance through the aisles as they closed the overhead bins. A delightful hollow ring echoed up and down the cabin. OK, it was offset a bit by the grumpy passengers but, hey, the crew members had to check their bags, too.
Honestly now, how many of you have tried to de-liquefy your bags and still live your life as a clean and civilized human being? You know, change your roll-on antiperspirant to dry, leave the perfume and cologne at home, and yes, actually use the dreaded hotel shampoo and conditioner? I attempted it on a quick trip to Seattle, and I ended up cutting myself multiple times (from shaving with soap and water) and smelling like a putrid almond (from the complimentary lotion).
Recently, authorities have modified the ban on liquids, and I am glad of that. Here are some important things you should know.
Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag. At the checkpoint, travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying the liquids separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine them.
Larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared at the checkpoint and are subject to additional screening.
After clearing security, travelers can now bring on board beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area.
In other words, you can’t bring your own bottled water from home. OK, that makes sense. But then shouldn’t there be a cap on how much vendors can charge for it? I will drink tap water before I will pay more than $5 dollars for a bottle of water. Don’t laugh. Once in a hotel room overseas I found a bottle of water with a price tag of $13.50 sitting next to a bottle of red wine selling for $6.50. I gritted my teeth and drank the wine. I am a man of principles, you know.
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