Empty reusable water bottle in carryon

[Dreamer24]

Can i take an empty reusable water bottle in my carry on luggage? I'm flying US Air.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Of course. Why would you think that this wouldn't be allowed (just curious)?

 

[Dreamer24]

I read something travel related today that listed empty bottles as prohibited. They were listed along with liquids in bottles larger than 3.4 oz but not full. I thought it sounded odd and was hoping that a reusable nalgene bottle was ok as long as it was empty.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I read something travel related today that listed empty bottles as prohibited.

That is incorrect. You are free to take your empty Nalgene bottle through security.

You can always go to the source, the TSA, to get correct answer:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I read something travel related today that listed empty bottles as prohibited. They were listed along with liquids in bottles larger than 3.4 oz but not full. I thought it sounded odd and was hoping that a reusable nalgene bottle was ok as long as it was empty.

And where did you read that?

 

[Snickals]

I took a bottle with me and everytime I got through security just filled it up, no problems.

 

[NotUrsula]

And where did you read that?

Probably in a source that quoted the 2006 WSJ article in which Kip Hawley famously (and of course, erroneously) said this:

Mr. Hawley said there is method in the madness of requiring everything to be in a bag and strictly limiting the size of containers, not the volume of liquid or gel. Containers larger than three ounces could pose a threat -- a place to mix enough liquid explosives to create a bomb. "It's not the ounces. It's the container we're after," he said.

If you have a subscription, the entire article is here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116226062497308455.html?mod=todays_us_personal_journal

TSA, of course, has never actually had a policy prohibiting containers only, and it very much IS the ounces that count.
Hawley had egg on his face after that one (but not enough to get the idiot to resign -- he didn't leave office until Bush did.)

 

[ironz]

There was some discussion around the holidays about questioning insulated bottles/coffee mugs, since there is that space between the chamber and the outer wall. But I haven't heard much about that lately.

I travel often with a plastic water bottle (like you see on bikes)...no problem if it is empty when going through security. and cheaper to fill it up at a water fountain, rather than paying $3-4 for a bottle of water.

 

[MouseyMin]

I have taken an empty water bottle through security probably 100 times now. I always put it in a zip-lock bag and put in directly in the tray so that they can see what it is.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I've always taken empty water bottles (clear and aluminum) without any problems through security several times over the past 3 years. Not an issue.