TSA Precheck and security line for DS17

[Mkrop]

For some reason for the last two years DS has been given the TSA precheck to go through security. He takes his brother since he is 12. We have always had checked luggage so what he has brought through is typical carryon stuff, a book, a sweatshirt, a laptop etc. I have always had any meds that had to be taken out. Now he doesnt have to take off his shoes or remove his laptop.

So here is my question, we are all going on an overnight trip to visit a college in the Midwest. I might have toiletries that are over the 3oz. I want to check a bag, DH says that is silly for one night. So if DS17 gets the TSA precheck, could I send the toiletries with him since their check on him doesnt seem as thorough.

 

[Alesia]

Just put your toiletries in 3 oz. bottles.

 

[goofy4tink]

I wouldn't. His bag is still scanned...and if they see it, your stuff may very well get trashed! Much better to put anything you want in the 3oz bottles and be safe.

 

[tjmw2727]

Even with pre-check you are still required to follow the same 3-1-1 rules - so I wouldn't chance it. They carryon bags are still screened in the pre-check line so I would imagine the screeners would notice large bottles of liquid? This would put your son in a bad position and you would then loose all your toiletries anyway.

I would just pack your toiletries in 3oz bottles and if they don't fit in your zip lock then ask a family member to carry some for you, or purchase them at your destination.

 

[gwynne]

For some reason for the last two years DS has been given the TSA precheck to go through security. He takes his brother since he is 12. We have always had checked luggage so what he has brought through is typical carryon stuff, a book, a sweatshirt, a laptop etc. I have always had any meds that had to be taken out. Now he doesnt have to take off his shoes or remove his laptop.

So here is my question, we are all going on an overnight trip to visit a college in the Midwest. I might have toiletries that are over the 3oz. I want to check a bag, DH says that is silly for one night. So if DS17 gets the TSA precheck, could I send the toiletries with him since their check on him doesnt seem as thorough.

My advice... Either buy 3.4 oz travel sizes (or smaller) or get a 3 oz bottle and transfer. Put them all in a quart zip. Once you're through screening, you can put it back into your carryon. I think it's always wisest (and easiest) to just keep things simple.
It would be really awkward for him if your big bottle of whatever is pulled out of his bag. They will give him a explanation of what's OK and what's not, and then put the item in the trash. Precheck or not, it still shows up on the screening monitor.

 

[kj2mom]

Our Dollar Store has a package of 3oz bottles (I think it was 3 pop tops and one spray bottle) that I fill with my toiletries. I would just transfer any liquids/lotions/creams needed to one of those for the over night.

 

[Mkrop]

Ok thanks...I just want to check a bag since it is free and I dont have to deal with this stuff but I am being outvoted. I will figure it out

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm on YOUR side after reading your last bit of info.

I want to check a bag, DH says that is silly for one night.

Why does he get a say in what you pack? Why is it silly? What does the length of the trip have to do with it?

Ok thanks...I just want to check a bag since it is free and I dont have to deal with this stuff but I am being outvoted. I will figure it out

With a free checked bag WHY is this a discussion? Check the bag. No biggie.

I think that when this question is asked we are answering based on it being $25 to check. With it being free it's no big deal.


And of course the biggest question is what if you put the big bottles in DS's carryon and then he doesn't have Pre? You're then checking the bag but without actually preparing to check the bag.

 

[Mkrop]

I'm on YOUR side after reading your last bit of info.




Why does he get a say in what you pack? Why is it silly? What does the length of the trip have to do with it?



With a free checked bag WHY is this a discussion? Check the bag. No biggie.

I think that when this question is asked we are answering based on it being $25 to check. With it being free it's no big deal.


And of course the biggest question is what if you put the big bottles in DS's carryon and then he doesn't have Pre? You're then checking the bag but without actually preparing to check the bag.

I was only going to use that as option if it said it on his boarding pass like it said on the last several flights even his international flight. If it didnt say it then I would readjust my packing.

To DH it is silly bc he flies much more than I do and he always takes a carryon unless it is vacation. He doesnt want to waste time at the carousel, he wants to go right to the car rental. We only have a short time where we are going and we are getting in late.

In retrospect, I just dont want the hassle of pouring stuff into bottles, and then having to take it all out in the baggies when going through security. DH's stuff is already packed like that since he travels frequently that way. The boys and I dont travel without checking bags, so we just throw the toiletry bags in the suitcase without a second thought.

No biggie I will adjust, just thought I would ask.

 

[sam_gordon]

To DH it is silly bc he flies much more than I do and he always takes a carryon unless it is vacation. He doesnt want to waste time at the carousel, he wants to go right to the car rental. We only have a short time where we are going and we are getting in late.

Sorry, I agree with your DH. Let me ask you this... what would happen if the airline misdirects your single checked bag? I ALWAYS advocate taking a carryon with everything you'll need for the first 24 hours. If your trip is only 24 hours, you shouldn't need to check a bag. Two of you might need to bring a carryon (to have clothes for all three), but I don't see a reason to check a bag.

The carryon might be somewhat of a hassle in the airport, but it's worth it to not wait at baggage claim AND you don't have to worry about the airline losing your bag.

 

[Mkrop]

Sorry, I agree with your DH. Let me ask you this... what would happen if the airline misdirects your single checked bag? I ALWAYS advocate taking a carryon with everything you'll need for the first 24 hours. If your trip is only 24 hours, you shouldn't need to check a bag. Two of you might need to bring a carryon (to have clothes for all three), but I don't see a reason to check a bag.

The carryon might be somewhat of a hassle in the airport, but it's worth it to not wait at baggage claim AND you don't have to worry about the airline losing your bag.

You are probably right, I just dont normally fly on stays this short. When I fly somewhere it is for much longer. And heck I suggested individual bags for an overnight for a wedding and instructed the boys to put their stuff in an overnight bag, and I left super early, I was a bridesmaid. When I got to the hotel later, all 4 of us were packed into one suitcase for overnight. DH claimed it was just easier than a couple of bags. Now granted it was in our control. I was just surprised when he didnt want to pack one bag and instead do 3 or 4.

ETA: and I always bring the essential meds with us if the bag got redirected, but other stuff I figured we would just buy when we got there.

 

[goofy4tink]

I hate waiting for my checked bags....DME has spoiled me for other travel!!! I agree with your dh. But sometimes we have to check bags. I'm heading to WDW in a week.....I really don't want to have to check a bag.....I'm trying to figure out if I can make do with just my 3oz size stuff. I guess I can always buy sunscreen there....or just pack a few smaller tubes. Carry on is sooooo much easier.

 

[charmed59]

There is a pretty good chance your 17 year old will no longer get Pre-check. There are so many people paying for it at this point they tend to be cutting off those they used to let through for free. Upside is you don't have that dilema of trying to sneak it through.

 

[pooch]

And how much toiletries do you need for one night??? I actually have a bag in the closet filled with sample sizes of every toiletry known to man!! Any time we fly, we grab the bag & toss however much we need into a quart bag ( they're in the "travel" bag too!'). Use the stuff & toss the empty container.

 

[agie65]

DS15 also gets TSA Pre.
In your situation only thought I have is, if they catch any bigger toiletries now they may issue him TSA pre in future.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Even with pre-check you are still required to follow the same 3-1-1 rules - so I wouldn't chance it.

1) We qualify for Pre-Check.
2) We have not packed according to the "3-1-1 Plan".
3) In fact, we have had large (READ: regular size) bottles of fluids in carry-ons without an issue.
4) Yes, our carry-ons are scanned, but we do not remove
. . . shoes
. . . belts
. . . coats
. . . computers
. . . baggies/baottles of fluids
5) WE LOVE PRE-CHECK.

 

[n2mm]

There is a pretty good chance your 17 year old will no longer get Pre-check. There are so many people paying for it at this point they tend to be cutting off those they used to let through for free. Upside is you don't have that dilema of trying to sneak it through.

This is true. We signed up this spring. I always got it free and my husband got it sometimes. We thought it was worth the $17 a year to get our KTN. See article below.

"IF you’ve grown accustomed to being waved through the PreCheck security lanes at the airport without having paid to enroll in the popular program, time is running out. The program has been so successful that the agency is planning to limit it soon to those who enroll — and pay up."

 

[goofy4tink]

1) We qualify for Pre-Check.
2) We have not packed according to the "3-1-1 Plan".
3) In fact, we have had large (READ: regular size) bottles of fluids in carry-ons without an issue.
4) Yes, our carry-ons are scanned, but we do not remove
. . . shoes
. . . belts
. . . coats
. . . computers
. . . baggies/baottles of fluids
5) WE LOVE PRE-CHECK.

On the other hand...I've been in the precheck line, at Logan, and seen people have to leave regular size bottles behind. It's nothing I would count on!!! Sure, you could get through. My step-mother gets through all the time, and she isn't using the pre-check line!!! She packs whatever she wants in her hand bag/carry-on bag...full sized and all...and hasn't been stopped. But, the time will come when she doesn't make it through. And she's going to be very peeved when she has to leave her stuff behind.

 

[Mkrop]

And how much toiletries do you need for one night??? I actually have a bag in the closet filled with sample sizes of every toiletry known to man!! Any time we fly, we grab the bag & toss however much we need into a quart bag ( they're in the "travel" bag too!'). Use the stuff & toss the empty container.

Well some in my family need special soaps and shampoos, contact solution etc. I dont have them handy since I always throw the big bottles in the checked bag. I got sunscreen that works but seemed like a waste of money when I have several HUGE spray bottles of the stuff. I was trying to avoid buying new stuff when I have the stuff already. Like I said my husband has all his stuff in handy containers that work bc he travels, the rest of us travel but not for quick overnights. I will make it work, it was just a simple question to avoid waste and extra work.

This is true. We signed up this spring. I always got it free and my husband got it sometimes. We thought it was worth the $17 a year to get our KTN. See article below.

"IF you’ve grown accustomed to being waved through the PreCheck security lanes at the airport without having paid to enroll in the popular program, time is running out. The program has been so successful that the agency is planning to limit it soon to those who enroll — and pay up."

I am shocked every time it prints on his boarding pass. I never assume it is going to be there and he has flown to several different places on several different airlines and so far it has been there. I was shocked when several weeks ago he flew on JetBlue, an airline he has never flown before, to the Dominican Republic and it was there. These tickets were not purchased by us but by his school. I am not assuming it will be there when we print it this time. if it is great, if not oh well. If it is he and DS12 can go through but they still have to wait on the other side for DH and I so the benefit is just not having to remove stuff and take out laptop.

 

[tjmw2727]

1) We qualify for Pre-Check.
2) We have not packed according to the "3-1-1 Plan".
3) In fact, we have had large (READ: regular size) bottles of fluids in carry-ons without an issue.
4) Yes, our carry-ons are scanned, but we do not remove
. . . shoes
. . . belts
. . . coats
. . . computers
. . . baggies/baottles of fluids
5) WE LOVE PRE-CHECK.

Since you quoted me I will re-state that TSA Pre doesn't exempt you from the 3-1-1 rules. In fact it states on the TSA website that Pre allows you to keep your 3-1-1 compliant bag in your carryon. (not a direct quote but the website is easy to find).