One more annoying carry-on fluid question

[Miffy]

So, I'm getting ready to go on our trip next Saturday, and I was going through our quart-size ziploc bags to make sure we had everything in them.

Today I suddenly noticed that the brand of shampoo and conditioner that I use (bottled by a local NYC company) does not indicate the number of ounces anywhere on the teensy bottles they're in. These tiny bottles are obviously less than 3 ounces--in fact they are maybe 1 ounce at most--but I've been reading these boards the last few days and I saw someone mention that if the bottle doesn't clearly state the number of ounces on it, that the TSA will pitch it.

Is this true only of bottles without a brand name or logo on them? Or is it trure of any bottle or container?

Since (a) we're not planning on checking any luggage (we don't own bags that could be checked...or TSA locks...or anything like it, so having checked luggage is an impossibility at this point), (b) I have allergies and can't buy just any shampoo after we land, and (c) I can't make it through a week without washing my hair! ... should I mail these small bottles to myself at the resort instead of risking their being thrown out by the TSA?

I can't believe I didn't notice this yesterday before we boxed up our big package and sent it UPS to the resort.

Am I being excessively worried? I've read and re-read and re-read the TSA's guidelines a zillion times, yet people's real-life anecdotes seem to often contradict the stated policies.

TIA for any help and advice.

 

[simzac]

I'm a courier driver and thus at the airport constantly picking up packages, I think you would be surprised what bags you can check. You might want to check a little further to see if you can possibly check your bag(s).JMO

 

[salmoneous]

TSA Agents have gotten *much* laxer about what goes in the magic baggy. In my last 3-4 flights, I haven't seen them give anyones a second look. As long as the bottle is of the appropriate size, I think it very unlikely they will say anything.

That said, there is always a risk, even if tiny. You can always empty out bottles of some other shampoo that do have the oz marked and fill it with your shampoo. And just about any bag can be checked. If you honestly don't have one, you can pick up a duffel at WalMart for <$10 bucks.

 

[DebbieB]

The two times I have using the quart baggie, they did not look at each bottle, they just glanced at the bag, everything was obviously under 3 oz.

You should be able to check a box. One time a friend accidentally had a toy gun from Pirates in her carryon bag, they saw it on the x-ray and made her either go back and check it or throw it out (it looked too real). She went back to the counter and they gave her a small box to check it.

 

[Miffy]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your great advice!

While you were posting, I found 3 travel-sized bottles from the exact same place and, unlike the new bottles I had from there, these nice old bottles have the ounces marked on them! Hurrah! In fact, they are 2-oz. bottles. The "2 oz." is clearly marked on the back. Whew!

I actually had a box out and was about to wrap up the 3 non-marked bottles in bubble wrap and UPS them to myself, when I discovered the other bottles.

Now I have to see if there's anything else I can panic about before next Saturday ... but I hope, instead, to follow the instructions in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Since (a) we're not planning on checking any luggage (we don't own bags that could be checked...or TSA locks...or anything like it, so having checked luggage is an impossibility at this point)

I am curious as to what type of bag you have which you believe cannot be checked?

 

[Miffy]

To lost*in*: It's not that our bags absolutely couldn't be checked, but (a) they are kind of flimsy, (b) they have a lot of zippered compartments whose zippers aren't the world's best, (c) we don't have locks and I wasn't in the mood to go out and buy TSA-approved (or, for that matter, any) locks right at the moment, and (d) they look like they would have a hard time surviving being thrown around, even kind of gently. Yes, it's time to buy new bags! but I wasn't in the mood to do that right now, either.

We got the bags specifically to be carry-on-only objects, back in the ancient days when there were no liquid restrictions and it was the easiest thing on earth for light packers like dh & me to survive even a longish trip with merely two flimsy carry-ons. I suppose they would survive being checked--if it came to that--but if you saw these sad objects you might wonder how they even survive being wheeled down the street ... but I hope they do.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I was wondering what type of bag you meant.

You're lucky that you have been able to carry-on your "flimsy" bags and not made to check them on full flights (which has happened to me with my carry-on a number of times, ).

 

[salmoneous]

Re Locks: It's a personal decision, but I think locks are a waste of time as a theft deterrent. Any baggage thief out there has a TSA master key or could simply cut off your lock. Meanwhile, the locks call attention to your bag telling people there is something in it worth locking up.

Many people disagree - and others just use the locks as zipper-holders rather than theft prevention.