Liquid/Quart-sized ziplock rule

[Luv Bunnies]

Does the TSA even enforce this anymore? Going through security several times earlier this year, I seemed to be the only one with my carry-on liquids (hand sanitizer, lotion, lip gel) in a quart-sized bag. I looked around and didn't see anyone else carrying one or putting one in their bin. In one instance, I just plain forgot to bring a bag and my liquid items remained in my purse. It went through the x-ray machine and no one said a word. This was in the regular line, not pre-check.

I did see signs in the security area about using a plastic bag for liquids, so I will continue to do it. Anyone else with insight on this?

 

[bumbershoot]

Officially it's the rule until you have precheck or are shunted to a precheck line.

Sometimes they let it slide. But that's not a policy.

On my last non-precheck flight I got extra checks because I forgot to take mine out. This was about two months ago.

 

[caliope]

We do precheck also but on a recent trip we were funneled into a line with non-precheck. A woman in front of me had a can of seltzer in her bag. She got a LOT of extra checking for that oversight. This was at 5:45am in San Diego. So they do still enforce it someplaces.

 

[Beer Me]

I put all liquids in bags but leave them in my carry on unless security specifically asks for them to be taken out. Hardly ever happens.

 

[kj2mom]

I always have everything out and ready but last year when returning home through MCO I was actually instructed to put everything back in my bag. There was a dog there working the line so we didn't have to show our quart sized bags, we didn't have to remove our shoes or any of the typical routine.

 

[siskaren]

Maybe all their liquid items are in their checked luggage.

 

[bumbershoot]

I always have everything out and ready but last year when returning home through MCO I was actually instructed to put everything back in my bag. There was a dog there working the line so we didn't have to show our quart sized bags, we didn't have to remove our shoes or any of the typical routine.

Sounds like you were shunted into pre. Lucky!

 

[nkereina]

Last year I was traveling with a friend, flying out of Seattle. My friend had her liquids in a gallon size bag because that was all she had handy. The TSA agent actually handed her a quart size bag and asked her to put all her liquids in the quart size bag, and discard any she couldn't fit in the quart size bag. I always remember that so I continue to use the quart size bag and pull it out of my carry on as well.

 

[Prose]

I used to pack all that stuff in my carry on - contact solution, lotion, etc. but found that I never used it. For flights less than 3 or 4 hours I just don't bring liquids on any more.

 

[kj2mom]

Sounds like you were shunted into pre. Lucky!

No, it was the huge massive, very long regular line with everyone. One employee said it was because of the dog. Some employees were pretty upset because people were not listening at all. The look on one of their faces when an entire family took their shoes off was priceless! I admit I had to hear it a couple of times before I felt confident enough to put my items back in my bag. It just didn't feel right but at least I did it before I got to the front and ticked off the workers !

 

[Tinknalli]

Two years ago DD had strep throat and was on liquid antibiotics. The bottle was much larger than 3 oz and was in a pack it lunch bag with a zip lock bag of ice. I expected that they I'd make me discard the ice and it would get a full inspection. I put it separate from my carryon in the bin and said nothing. They never even touched it, say nothing about inspecting it or making us dump the ice. Crazy!!!!

 

[joelkfla]

Two years ago DD had strep throat and was on liquid antibiotics. The bottle was much larger than 3 oz and was in a pack it lunch bag with a zip lock bag of ice. I expected that they I'd make me discard the ice and it would get a full inspection. I put it separate from my carryon in the bin and said nothing. They never even touched it, say nothing about inspecting it or making us dump the ice. Crazy!!!!

The TSA website says that medications and ice used to pack them are specifically excluded from the rule (but of course subject to inspection if they want to).

 

[pigletliz]

Yes. I've flown a lot in the last 4 months. Observed full sized products being tossed. One young lady had so much stuff that the TSA agent asked if it was her first time flying.

 

[AngiTN]

I wonder at times if some of the very small items don't register in the equipment.
The reason is on our trip last November DGD forgot a bottle of soda was in the bottom of her back pack. It held her AG doll and she's sat the doll on top of the bottle and forgot.
The scanner caught it and her bag went through a manual screening, they found the bottle and took it out, no big deal. I guess since it was a child they didn't chastise her much. Made a laugh about it more than anything.
I however, have left very small liquids in my purse, less than 1 oz (like eye drops) and they didn't pick up on them.
Anyway, they may not have had any. We don't always, sometimes it's just easier to bring out full size instead of dragging a small bottle.

 

[nacho113]

I wonder at times if some of the very small items don't register in the equipment.
The reason is on our trip last November DGD forgot a bottle of soda was in the bottom of her back pack. It held her AG doll and she's sat the doll on top of the bottle and forgot.
The scanner caught it and her bag went through a manual screening, they found the bottle and took it out, no big deal. I guess since it was a child they didn't chastise her much. Made a laugh about it more than anything.
I however, have left very small liquids in my purse, less than 1 oz (like eye drops) and they didn't pick up on them.
Anyway, they may not have had any. We don't always, sometimes it's just easier to bring out full size instead of dragging a small bottle.

The x-ray shows everything in the bag.
Many people forget small liquids in their bags.
It's not uncommon for someone to leave a small hand lotion or bottle of makeup etc.
They can see them but can tell if a liquid is under the 3.4oz limit.
They will allow them as long as there are not more than would fit in the 1 quart bag (which would cause the bag to be pulled for additional screening).

 

[anonymousegirl]

I travel a lot, both domestic and international. I always have my quart zip-lock, even on short trips. I often do carry-on bags only. Now that I have pre-check/Global Entry I can leave the baggie in my carry-on, but last December the Pre-check line was down at my local airport and we all got funneled into the regular line and I had to take out my baggie, take off my shoes, etc.

Last time I flew through London, a supremely silly TSA (or London's equivalent) agent made me put my solid deodorant into my baggie "because I could melt it once on board and then it would be a liquid." I felt like telling him we could also melt my husband's chocolate bars too, but I left my acetyline torch at home, but I know better than to smart-mouth a guy that can put me on a no-fly list.

 

[bumbershoot]

Last time I flew through London, a supremely silly TSA (or London's equivalent) agent made me put my solid deodorant into my baggie "because I could melt it once on board and then it would be a liquid."

Omg.

I actually did look it up, just in case. (And because heathrow security held me and ds for upwards of ten minutes until they could get an agent to us after we put our carryons through. The agent who had us stand aside noticed we had two baggies. He thought that was naughty. The agent who came over counted "1, 2" baggies and "1,2" people and waved us on. Nonsensical of the first guy.)

But nope.

Can I carry lipstick and deodorant in my hand baggage?
You can take solid cosmetics, such as standard lipsticks or stick deodorants, in your hand baggage.

Liquid, aerosol or gel cosmetics, including atomisers, creams, roll-on deodorants, sprays and gels are subject to the standard liquid rules. They must be carried in containers of 100ml or less, within a single closed transparent resealable plastic bag that has a capacity no greater than 1 litre (approximately 20cm x 20cm).

There’s no volume restriction if you pack your liquids, aerosols and gels into your checked-in luggage (to be carried in the aircraft hold).

But that first paragraph is crystal clear that a solid deodorant doesn't go in the liquids baggie.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I always take my liquids out due to habit but I don't always have them in a ziplock bag. I've been using a bag that zips that I got actually from the Sandals hotel on my honeymoon but it's the same size-ish as a quart bag so for TSA it wouldn't be an issue..it's also 95% clear bag too.

My husband has forgotten liquids before in his backback..rarely an issue though. He flew a lot too for 13 1/2 months worth of travel and never had a checked bag (was only home for 1-2 days at a time).

I myself would stick with the posted rules..I like to be on the safer side of things as far as less potential for hassles, delays, etc.