travel size bottles/not original containers???

[dizzygal]

Hey guys just a few nervous issues about travel size containers.
I've been to the TSA site for US air and checked out the whole quart size ziploc bag info but, I need to know if anyone has used bottles in the carry on luggage that are not original containers.
For example: bought shampoo and poured it out into my own plain bottle for a travel size. Will that be acceptable or will they confiscate and toss it out?
In addition has anyone put snacks, candy in the checked luggage and had a problem with security going through the bags? I usually take some snacks with me in my carry on but, am totally paranoid about security.
Can anyone address these issues or at least offer some suggestions to ease my self inflicted panic attacks.
Thanks ahead of time for your help!travel size bottles/not original containers???

 

[safetymom]

You would have to use a trial size bottle that says the name of a shampoo or something. Plain bottles are no good.

No problems with snacks in your checked luggage.

They can make your life miserable at the checkpoint so be sure to use what looks like original containers.

 

[CarolA]

This is one of the things that depends on your TSA agnet.

My suggestion. Make sure your bottles are LABELED..... So if you want to take your brand of shampoo find an "el cheapo" travel size bottle of shampoo at your local dollar store, pour it out and put your brand in.....

The TSA website does NOT indicate that items have to be in original containers, but your TSA agent gets to make up his/her own rules at times and some of them seem to believe you HAVE to have manufactured labeled bottles.

 

[dizzygal]

You guys are so great to respond so fast!!! I was afraid the original bottle was the way it had to go....I'll figure it out though.
Last thing you want is a nervous Southern lady being wanded or searched. Can we all say "STEP AWAY from the CRAZY lady??"
Thanks again!

 

[CleveRocks]

The other problem with plain bottles is that there is no size marked on it. I don't want to have to worry about whether a TSA agent will know that a certain bottle is 3 oz. or less. But if it's pre-printed on there, such as on a product label, then you're good to go.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I was afraid the original bottle was the way it had to go

It pretty much is. You cannot expect a TSA employee to be able to figure out if you have 3 ounces or less in an unmarked bottle.

If you don't travel with these items in the ORIGINAL 3 oz or less travel sized bottles, expect them to be confiscated.

 

[tjmw2727]

You guys are so great to respond so fast!!! I was afraid the original bottle was the way it had to go....I'll figure it out though.
Last thing you want is a nervous Southern lady being wanded or searched. Can we all say "STEP AWAY from the CRAZY lady??"
Thanks again!

LOL - you are right but as Carol said it dosen't have to be the "correct" label, just and original label with the size. I found the Pert travel size shampoo on sale that was clearly marked as 3oz, emptied and rinsed it and just put my favorite shampoo in that. Toothpaste is easy to find right now in 2 and 3oz containers. I have also been seeing mouthwash in the travel size.

Snacks and food are fine in your carryon, anything that isn't liquid or jell so no jello or fruit cups etc.

Remember that the ziplock has to come out of your carryon and go into the bin separately. My MIL did all her research and carefully packed her liquids in the quart ziplock but got stressed and forgot to take it out of the carryon. She dosen't fly often, is a fairly frail 70+ woman and the TSA agent apperantly gave her a pretty rough time. She was still upset upon arrival here last Friday

TJ

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Don't forget to use a quart sized bag only!
If you bag is any larger, they won't allow you to take it on the plane.

 

[CarolA]

Remember that the ziplock has to come out of your carryon and go into the bin separately. My MIL did all her research and carefully packed her liquids in the quart ziplock but got stressed and forgot to take it out of the carryon. She dosen't fly often, is a fairly frail 70+ woman and the TSA agent apperantly gave her a pretty rough time. She was still upset upon arrival here last Friday

TJ

This just burns me up... I file complaints when I see the TSA agent being a JERK to Senior Citizens... If I were you I would at least go on thier website and put in a complaint. The TSA is PAID by the citizens and we don't have to be ABUSED by them.... (You are not dramatically safer because they YELLED at Grandmother.. that's not security it's a BULLY!!!)

 

[tjmw2727]

This just burns me up... I file complaints when I see the TSA agent being a JERK to Senior Citizens... If I were you I would at least go on thier website and put in a complaint. The TSA is PAID by the citizens and we don't have to be ABUSED by them.... (You are not dramatically safer because they YELLED at Grandmother.. that's not security it's a BULLY!!!)

You know Carol I just may pursue this. I have the flight details because I booked it for her. She was really embarassed and I was upset because she kept saying it was her fault. She knew she was supposed to put the bag through separately but like I said she got distracted and forgot. She is also the type who won't "make waves" so maybe I will have to make a few for her.

If it helps others from that unpleasant situation its worth it.

TJ

 

[Brneyznfl]

I feel so bad for your MIL! My mother is 70 and hasn't flown in over 10 years and I'm really nervous about her flying! I fly quite a bit so know how rude some TSA can get. I'm meeting her in Orlando for our Disney trip so she will be flying by herself.

 

[PlutoPony]

I'm also worried about my elderly mother getting thru security this Christmas.... she's 80+ with very poor eyesight (legally blind) and only flies once/year. At this point I'm debating flying out to get her myself (have FF miles to do this) just to make sure she doesn't arrive here a few days before the holiday having lost her medicine to security or some other disaster...... Grrrrr

 

[CarolA]

It pretty much is. You cannot expect a TSA employee to be able to figure out if you have 3 ounces or less in an unmarked bottle.

If you don't travel with these items in the ORIGINAL 3 oz or less travel sized bottles, expect them to be confiscated.

I have travel bottles that say they are 2 oz bottles. Why can't I expect the TSA to READ????

 

[TravelinGal]

You would have to use a trial size bottle that says the name of a shampoo or something. Plain bottles are no good.

Not true.

PER TSA when I called prior to my trip to ask this question - You do NOT have to have the product in it's original bottle. It can be in a plain unmarked travel size bottle. (and the 3 oz is per item, not total for the bag)

PER MY OWN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE - I had 5 PLAIN UNMARKED travel bottles in my quart bag on my 10/18-10/22 trip and they didn't give them a second glance.

FYI - I also used a freezer ziplock bag which is tinted blue (but still quite easy to see through) and they didn't say a thing about it in Denver or Orlando.

 

[CarolA]

Not true.

PER TSA when I called prior to my trip to ask this question - You do NOT have to have the product in it's original bottle. It can be in a plain unmarked travel size bottle. (and the 3 oz is per item, not total for the bag)

PER MY OWN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE - I had 5 PLAIN UNMARKED travel bottles in my quart bag on my 10/18-10/22 trip and they didn't give them a second glance.

FYI - I also used a freezer ziplock bag which is tinted blue (but still quite easy to see through) and they didn't say a thing about it in Denver or Orlando.

That is the OFFICIAL line.... YOUR TSA agent gets to MAKE up the rules as he/she goes along. Trust me, they are NOT letting "plain unmarked travel size bottles" thru at a LOT of security checkpoints.


The TSA is a model of inconsistency and people who ABUSE the power they have been given. This is a CLASSIC example. NOWHERE on thier website which is suppose to give travelers the advice they need does it say that these plain bottles won't be allowed, but you can't get them thru security in Hartford, I saw the guy make the woman throw them away! (He was a real jerk all the way around, he yelled at me about six times until I looked him right in the eye and said "I am NOT taking my shoes off until I least get past the ID checker" IDIOTS!)

Your tax dollars at work....

 

[Desnik]

We will be flying soon and I was so nervous about our liquids! I am doing everything possible to make sure we get it right and won't run into any problems!LOL I would not take a chance and use the clear unmarked travel bottles. I have been able to find all the things we need in 3oz or smaller sizes at CVS and Target. For example:
CVS:
Mouthwash
Sunscreen
hair gel
hair spray
tooth paste
shampoo/conditioner 3 different brands
hand cream 2 different brands
shaving cream

Target:
Panteen shampoo/conditioner
hand cream 2 different kinds
Panteen hair spray
shaving cream mens and womans 2 different brands each

I put 3-4 things in each quart sized ziplock. We have 3 ziplocks and 4 people so we should be good!

 

[Sandi]

There was a Wall Street Journal article on this very subject recently. You are supposed to be able to use any container that is 3 oz or less, but a lot of the TSA agents are confiscating them and saying you need the "original manufacturer" container. I loved the suggestion of emptying another manufacturer's container and filling it with your own brand. That never even occurred to me.

The other thing people can do to help is to take along extra quart size ziplock bags to give to people who aren't familiar with the rule. Some airlines have them for the asking, but the TSA doesn't.

 

[Lewisc]

A poster who flies alot, don't remember who, said those travel bottles you buy empty tend to leak. You're much better off refilling a sample size bottle, even you fill it with a different brand.

 

[IMDORY]

Not true.

PER TSA when I called prior to my trip to ask this question - You do NOT have to have the product in it's original bottle. It can be in a plain unmarked travel size bottle. (and the 3 oz is per item, not total for the bag)

PER MY OWN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE - I had 5 PLAIN UNMARKED travel bottles in my quart bag on my 10/18-10/22 trip and they didn't give them a second glance.

FYI - I also used a freezer ziplock bag which is tinted blue (but still quite easy to see through) and they didn't say a thing about it in Denver or Orlando.

I just flew 2 weeks ago and my friend I was traveling with had the quart sized bag with travel bottles in it and they gave her a hard time because at first glance it looked like they weren't original containers...then she got a little snippy with them... Not a good idea-they then pulled her over for a more "extensive" search. All was fine in the end. I just pretended I didn't know her.

 

[IMDORY]

The other thing people can do to help is to take along extra quart size ziplock bags to give to people who aren't familiar with the rule. Some airlines have them for the asking, but the TSA doesn't.

When I went on a trip 2 weeks ago, if you didn't have the quart sized zip loc bags you had to leave this huge 1/2 hour long line to go buy a quart sized zip loc bag for .50 in the newstand store, then go to the back of the long line again.

Bringing some extra bags would sure be a random act of kindness for someone!