While the full body scanners may be more controversial, the carry-on liquid ban on airline probably causes delays for more travelers. There are rumors in the airport security circles that the ban may soon be phased out. Where and how soon are still debatable.
Yes, passengers can bring quart-sized plastic bags containing up to 3.5 ounce, (100 ml) containers, and yes, TSA does seem to be loosening up a bit on this one. (I haven’t had my nail polish, for example, noticed in several trips, and I always forget to put it in the bag.)
In any case, however, large bottles are still a problem. Bringing a half empty shampoo container is a no-no, as is bringing even a sealed bottle of wine.
Now, according to England’s Guardian newspaper, the United Kingdom at least is moving forward with plans to change the rule.
It won’t be overnight. The U.K. regulations will start being relaxed next year, although they won’t be fully abolished until 2013
According to the Guardian, U.K transport secretary, Philip Hammond confirmed that starting in April, passengers will be able to bring duty free items bought in European Union airport shops on connecting flights.
Previously, while duty-free items from the U.S. or Canada were allowed into the U.K., purchases made at most airport shops had to be checked or confiscated.
The new rules still require that duty-free liquids will have to be carried in clear plastic bags and put through screening machines.
Okay, this is a small step, but it’s a step.
By April 29, 2013, the current guidelines will be scrapped completely. At this point all European airports must have acquired screening machines that can detect suspicious liquids.
In the grand scheme of things it’s not a huge deal. As a California who loves to bring wine as a present or hostess gift when I travel, it’s been a frustrating several years of deciding either to check luggage (and pack the bottle very carefully) or to bring something else.
I’ve also watched travelers in or near tears when they discover some item, a gift, a favorite cosmetic or a cherished perfume for example, has to be tossed out because there isn’t time to go back and check it or use an airport mailer.
Not to mention countless passengers tossing their bottled water or soda, even though the option exists to simply have them prove the contents by drinking some of it. (A policy followed in some overseas airports.)
Understandably, TSA’s first priority is safety. But the liquid ban has been questionable, with loopholes, for a long time.
My “favorite” insanity, the reason you can’t bring half-empty larger bottles through security, is that theoretically terrorists could combine several bottles of stuff into a larger bottle to create a explosive.
If that’s true, okay, fair enough. But what happens as soon as you walk through security? There are all kinds of stories selling things like large bottles of water and in some cases bottles of wine.
In my opinion, the U.K.’s move is one step back towards sanity, and maybe, by shifting resources away from the liquids issue, towards making us all safer.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
