That's not just water you're drinking...

September 11, 2008 10:14 AM

I travel a lot for work and have been a little confused about how after the government banned all bottled liquids that the in-airport stores weren't encouragd to lower their prices to be more in accordance with market prices in the outside world. Has there been any effort to this end?

In the past I'd dealt with this by bringing a personal water bottle and filling it at a water fountain, but two weeks ago, TSA agents started confiscating my empty bottles as well, essentially forcing me into buying water at double price in the airport.

Does anyone know if there has been some sort of official challenge to equalize prices on the "inside" and the "outside" if they're forcing you to not bring your own beverages from home?

posted by quadrinary to travel & transportation (17 comments total)

We once had laws that required public building to include water fountains. Idiots started buying bottled water from Coke. Coke eliminated the water fountians through lobbying.
posted by jeffburdges at 10:24 AM on September 11, 2008

Sorry for the previous "rantishness" of the post. I'm really curious about this.
posted by quadrinary at 11:07 AM on September 11, 2008

The cost of doing business in the airport is somewhat higher than in the outside world, so it is not reasonable to expect retail costs to be the same.
posted by grouse at 11:11 AM on September 11, 2008

I can understand that to an extent, but double prices?
posted by quadrinary at 11:14 AM on September 11, 2008

I imagine profit margins are higher, as well. There is less competition in the airport, and a greater barrier to entry, so it's harder for market forces to squeeze profit margins.

The British airport operator BAA used to claim that the prices in the airport shops were the same as shops in town because they required this in their lease contracts. The Advertising Standards Agency found that the prices were, in fact, significantly higher and BAA had to stop making this claim.

I think you would need new laws or new contracts to force airport shops or vending machine operators to provide water at lower prices. Efforts to "encourage" them to lower prices would result in them "encouraging" you to take a long walk off a short pier. The other alternative would be for airport operators to start providing low-cost bottles themselves.
posted by grouse at 11:27 AM on September 11, 2008

I can understand that to an extent, but double prices?

Supply/demand. They have you by the short and curlies, and they know it, so they charge what the market will bear. See also sporting venues, movie theatres, etc.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:33 AM on September 11, 2008

Your question raises another: what justification are they giving for confiscating your empty water bottles?
posted by JaredSeth at 11:35 AM on September 11, 2008

None. Just that they're not allowed. Mindboggling, really.
posted by quadrinary at 11:38 AM on September 11, 2008

grouse: The cost of doing business in the airport is somewhat higher than in the outside world, so it is not reasonable to expect retail costs to be the same.

quadrinary: I can understand that to an extent, but double prices?

Theoretically you would think that all staff on the 'secure' side of the airport would be background-checked; and everything and everybody entering or exiting that side of the airport would be searched thoroughly. I mean, there's no point in searching passengers' luggage if maintenance workers can bypass security and put things on planes; or if an accomplice in a shop can give you a gun, right?

Maintaining that level of security would raise the cost of doing business substantially.
posted by Mike1024 at 11:52 AM on September 11, 2008

I was able to take empty water bottles through TSA security about a month ago. I think the people you've met are just extra cranky. That said, I know Boston's Logan airport used to advertise quite heavily that their inside-the-airport prices were the same as those in the outer world, and the posters all over the airport and shuttles even listed a number you could call to report violations.
posted by vytae at 11:53 AM on September 11, 2008

Fascinating re. Boston. I wonder if other airports have that sort of watchdogging; I've never noticed signs proclaiming that.
posted by quadrinary at 11:56 AM on September 11, 2008

I flew with an empty water bottle on September 1st. I know you don't always have the time, but at some point have you tried asking for a written set of guidelines or any information anywhere that says they aren't allowed?

Alternatively you might bring your own written evidence that they are. I am not finding any official governmental notes, but here's a list from seat guru: list. Note this specifically says empty water containers are ok, even camelbacks. Of course the TSA's own list doesn't actually say one way or the other.

Perhaps the right thing to do is bug the TSA to put out an official statement that empty water bottles are ok?
posted by nat at 12:17 PM on September 11, 2008

I know the Pittsburgh airport has standardized pricing. In fact, many times, the prices in the clothing stores are cheaper there. There are #'s to report gouging as well. I also had no problem bringing an empty water bottle..
posted by Raichle at 12:37 PM on September 11, 2008

Are you in the US? I passed through security with and empty water bottle twice this week.
posted by cushie at 12:53 PM on September 11, 2008

Maybe purchase a sig water bottle? I fly with that regularly and have never had a problem
posted by arnicae at 3:23 PM on September 11, 2008

Oddly enough, we were recently allowed to bring canned soda through the gate in one U.S. airport. The screener picked up on it, asked her supervisor and let it through. Maybe you could drink seltzer in a can?
posted by monkeydluffy at 4:10 PM on September 11, 2008

I have gone through security with my Sigg bottle countless times and never had a problem. I generally dump out water just before the x-ray machine--I think this helps reassure the TSA folks.

As to your original question, I don't know, but it'd be nice if there were cheaper water options.
posted by timoni at 1:20 AM on September 24, 2008