Help me understand 3-1-1 and other carry-on rules

[Luv2Scrap]

I will be flying to Phoenix in a few weeks, and for the first time, we are going to try to do only carry-ons. I've done my research on what is allowed, but I still have a couple questions.

1. Am I understanding correctly that you can have as many 3-oz or less containers of liquid or gel as you can fit in one quart sized ziploc bag?

2. I'm actually seeing both 3.4 oz and 3 oz listed as being acceptable on the same TSA page. So which is it?

3. Can this be my choice of either original travel sized containers that you can buy from say, Walmart or Target, or the clear containers you might buy to put a small amount of shampoo in from your big bottle? Either way is acceptable?

4. Is aerosol hairspray acceptable, as long as it is under the 3 or 3.4 oz requirement?

5. Are disposable razors allowed, like women's razors with a plastic handle?

6. And finally, what else do I need to know that I might not have thought of yet??


Thanks for your help!

 

[SandrA9810]

surprisingly enough... if you go to the "travel size" section in the health and beauty department of a store, they usually sell ziplocs with correct size bottles for traveling.

At least that's the easy way to do it right.

And the last I heard, yes, you can bring a razor. But I have yet to bring one on my carry on. Cause dealing with security is the last thing i want to do.

 

[laurie31]

I will be flying to Phoenix in a few weeks, and for the first time, we are going to try to do only carry-ons. I've done my research on what is allowed, but I still have a couple questions.

1. Am I understanding correctly that you can have as many 3-oz or less containers of liquid or gel as you can fit in one quart sized ziploc bag?

2. I'm actually seeing both 3.4 oz and 3 oz listed as being acceptable on the same TSA page. So which is it?

3. Can this be my choice of either original travel sized containers that you can buy from say, Walmart or Target, or the clear containers you might buy to put a small amount of shampoo in from your big bottle? Either way is acceptable?

4. Is aerosol hairspray acceptable, as long as it is under the 3 or 3.4 oz requirement?

5. Are disposable razors allowed, like women's razors with a plastic handle?

6. And finally, what else do I need to know that I might not have thought of yet??


Thanks for your help!

1. Yes

2. Both are correct. The true limit is 100ml, but most things in the US are sold in ounces, not mls, so while 3.4 is the actual limit, in practice (here anyway) you will find 3oz and 4oz things, and not 3.4 oz things.

3. Yes. We just bought several 3oz plastic bottles to put stuff in. WalMart had them in the travel-sized toiletries section. They need to be LABELED with their size. The TSA cannot look at it and assume it's under 100mls.

4. oooh, not sure. I checked TSA's list of permitted and prohibited items, and it looks like it's okay. But, as with everything TSA touches, YMMV.

5. Yes.

6. If you wear an underwire bra, it will set off the metal detector and you will get the pat-down thing. Ditto for a metal barrette.

Also, Dr. Scholl's (or any brand) GEL shoe inserts are not allowed, period. Foam inserts are fine, just not the gel ones.

You CAN bring on food for your party. You can bring it from home or buy it in the airport. You also CAN bring empty bottles and fill them once you've passed security, or you can buy drinks in the airport to take onboard. I bring CamelBak cups, fill them at a water fountain and add crystal light packets.

I would not get on a plane without something to eat and drink, just in case you have delays or turbulance. We got burned very badly on this back in '06. My kids were DYING of thirst, it had been almost 6 hours since they'd had anything to drink, and the turbulance was so bad it wasn't safe for the FAs to operate the beverage service. I understand this completely, I certainly don't think thirst warrants endangering anyone's safety! But if I had had my OWN beverages, it wouldn't have been an issue. Lesson learned.

 

[SandrA9810]

I always buy my own soda just before i get on the plane. And pack some snacks in my bag from home.

 

[plutolovr]

6. If you wear an underwire bra, it will set off the metal detector and you will get the pat-down thing. Ditto for a metal barrette.

I travel very often and have been wearing underwire bras for years and years and have never had one set off the metal detectors.

 

[smschex]

I travel very often and have been wearing underwire bras for years and years and have never had one set off the metal detectors.

Same here. Of course maybe all my natural padding camouflages it!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I travel very often and have been wearing underwire bras for years and years and have never had one set off the metal detectors.

I will third that one.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

4. Is aerosol hairspray acceptable, as long as it is under the 3 or 3.4 oz requirement?

I always thought that anything aerosol, regardless of size, was prohibited.

 

[Kath2003]

I travel very often and have been wearing underwire bras for years and years and have never had one set off the metal detectors.

I had no idea that they still made METAL underwires - as far as I was aware, they were all plastic? Either way, I have travelled many times and NEVER had my underwear set off the metal detectors

1. Am I understanding correctly that you can have as many 3-oz or less containers of liquid or gel as you can fit in one quart sized ziploc bag?

Yes.

2. I'm actually seeing both 3.4 oz and 3 oz listed as being acceptable on the same TSA page. So which is it?

It's 3.4oz, because the rest of the world works in metric. 100ml = 3.4oz.

3. Can this be my choice of either original travel sized containers that you can buy from say, Walmart or Target, or the clear containers you might buy to put a small amount of shampoo in from your big bottle? Either way is acceptable?

Either, although personally I would go with clear bottles as then there's no discussion at security

4. Is aerosol hairspray acceptable, as long as it is under the 3 or 3.4 oz requirement?

Yes.

5. Are disposable razors allowed, like women's razors with a plastic handle?

Unbelievably, yes.

6. And finally, what else do I need to know that I might not have thought of yet

That they sell shampoo, aerosols and razors in Phoenix? Personally we have found that it is as cheap to go to the nearest CVS/Walgreens or wherever and buy regular sized products when we arrive than it is to go buy the travel sized ones.

 

[bumbershoot]

6. If you wear an underwire bra, it will set off the metal detector and you will get the pat-down thing. Ditto for a metal barrette.

In my experience, underwires *might* set the detectors off. Main time I remember it happening was 9/18/01, when I got a full patdown b/c of the underwire AND I had adorable little kitten heel shoes with big metal things at the toes (before shoes were to come off) that the security people didn't much like. (meanwhile, my waist length hair was held up with about 20 2+inch U-shaped METAL hair pins, half of which had the rubber tips off of them, which would have made excellent weapons...I took one out and asked if I needed to toss them, they said no, they are OK)

A 2+ inch metal barrette caused havoc at LAX once...thankfully the passenger behind me reminded me that it was in my hair before I was taken away for more screening (DH was being screened b/c of the zipper on his shorts, and they were forgetting that my then 4 year old was standing there as they were wanting me to go elsewhere).

Next time we flew out of LAX however, that barrette didn't cause any problems.

I had no idea that they still made METAL underwires - as far as I was aware, they were all plastic?

I've never had a plastic underwire. And since most of the wires end up popping out at the armpit area (ouch) at some point, I know!




OP I found some 3 oz containers in various colors (clear colors), left the label on, and just put whatever liquid I need into them. It hasn't been a problem yet.

 

[TinkerbelleAbbysMom]

What got me here was the gel inserts. Seriously? I'm gonna have to remember that!

 

[laurie31]

I had no idea that they still made METAL underwires - as far as I was aware, they were all plastic? Either way, I have travelled many times and NEVER had my underwear set off the metal detectors

I've never had a plastic one. Maybe it depends on the size? I am...um...well-endowed.

 

[SandrA9810]

just remember that your ziploc baggie has to be taken out of your bag and put into the screening bin separately.

So far I haven't had any issues or been pulled aside. Check your clothing before you get in line. Clean your pockets out and place everything inside your bag. Nothing like trying to grab all your loose change out of the bin... And also belts.

All I keep on myself is my boarding pass and ID, everything else is in my bookbag. I don't walk through security until my bag is almost ready to go through the check and on the other side of the barrier. Then I watch it as it comes out, so I know no one has messed with my bags.


Funny thing is, razors are allowed, but you can't even bring small nail scissors on the plane. My aunt had to toss hers years ago when she left her pouch in the carry on bag.

 

[smschex]

Who knows what will cause problems on any given day. This will scare you to death---

My DH was visiting with a guy who makes his living as a magician. He uses large knives, spikes, and lighter fluid in his act. For one cross country trip he was running late and was told it was too late to check his bag, but could carry it on. In his haste to get on the flight, he went to security and just as he let go of the bag on the xray conveyer it dawned on him what was in it. He thought "I am toast, I will go straight to jail." Sure enough as the bag rolled out the other end, the TSA guy called him over. "Mr. XX, you left your boarding pass on your bag. Have a great flight." His first response was relief that he wasn't going to be arrested, then he was terrified that if he got all that through, what else was on the plane!

We personally got through security in Geneva, Switzerland, and Newark, NJ with two large knives (purchased in Switzerland) that did not get moved over to our checked bag from the carry on. I nearly died when I unpacked and found them.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

anything that's in a container that is 3oz or less, is allowed as long as it fits in that bag. so hairspray, deoderant, shampoo, etc are all allowed.

razors of any kind aren't allowed(because you might try and kill someone with a disposable razor! )

and if you have contacts and you bring the solution, it doesn't need to be in that bag. they consider that "medical" and any kind of medical things that you bring just need to be in a clear bag, it doesn't matter what size.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Who knows what will cause problems on any given day. This will scare you to death---

My DH was visiting with a guy who makes his living as a magician. He uses large knives, spikes, and lighter fluid in his act. For one cross country trip he was running late and was told it was too late to check his bag, but could carry it on. In his haste to get on the flight, he went to security and just as he let go of the bag on the xray conveyer it dawned on him what was in it. He thought "I am toast, I will go straight to jail." Sure enough as the bag rolled out the other end, the TSA guy called him over. "Mr. XX, you left your boarding pass on your bag. Have a great flight." His first response was relief that he wasn't going to be arrested, then he was terrified that if he got all that through, what else was on the plane!

We personally got through security in Geneva, Switzerland, and Newark, NJ with two large knives (purchased in Switzerland) that did not get moved over to our checked bag from the carry on. I nearly died when I unpacked and found them.

DH has brought hand sanatizer with him, in his pocket, thru every security checkpoint we've gone thru whenever flying. they've never pulled him aside and asked to check his pockets

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

6. If you wear an underwire bra, it will set off the metal detector and you will get the pat-down thing. Ditto for a metal barrette.

i've never had the detector go off when i was wearing an underwire bra.....

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

What got me here was the gel inserts. Seriously? I'm gonna have to remember that!

ikr?? me too, because i wear them constantly in my sneakers.....

 

[DMRick]

Funny thing is, razors are allowed, but you can't even bring small nail scissors on the plane. My aunt had to toss hers years ago when she left her pouch in the carry on bag.

I lost a great pair a few years ago, but I thought they changed that. I've had them in my carry on the past couple of years.

I just looked and found this on the TSA site. For both checked and carry on's:
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches

(Just an aside, meat cleavers still have to go in checked bags..good to know)
Here is the whole list:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

The gel insert restriction is towards the bottom, under 'other'.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I travel very often and have been wearing underwire bras for years and years and have never had one set off the metal detectors.

My daughter's underwire set it off a few years ago. Since then, I've told her not to wear a bra with an underwire on travel days.

they sell shampoo, aerosols and razors in Phoenix? Personally we have found that it is as cheap to go to the nearest CVS/Walgreens or wherever and buy regular sized products when we arrive than it is to go buy the travel sized ones.

I never liked to HAVE TO go to a store when I'm traveling, esp on vacation. Last trip I took was to VA for a soccer tournament, and I just really never found the time (and where we were staying, a conveniently located store) to pick up bandaids that I could've used. If you're buying full sized products when you arrive, do you use them up (long trip!) or are you leaving them behind (then is it still as cheap?), or packing them and then having to check bags (which the OP is trying to avoid).

DH has brought hand sanatizer with him, in his pocket, thru every security checkpoint we've gone thru whenever flying. they've never pulled him aside and asked to check his pockets

I have a little hand sanitizer openly attached to the outside of my handbag...never said a word.

(Just an aside, meat cleavers still have to go in checked bags..good to know)

Well then, that screws up all my plans.