Question for recent air travelers, US domestic.

August 14, 2006 9:46 AM

So we know they aren't letting any liquids pass the security checkpoint now. But I can still take drinks onto the airplane, right, long as I buy them at the overpriced gift shop at the gate? And I can fill my empty flask, once beyond the TSA inspection?
posted by Rash to Travel & Transportation (23 answers total)

No, many flights check again at the gate. And they lecture you about having to finish drinks before you board.
posted by devilsbrigade at 9:50 AM on August 14, 2006

no. flew this weekend. if the flight attendants and other airline people see it, they'll ask you to throw it out. Saw this happen to many, many people.
posted by unexpected at 9:50 AM on August 14, 2006

Beverages purchased in the boarding area (beyond the screening checkpoint) will not be allowed on board, and must be consumed before boarding.
posted by sohcahtoa at 9:51 AM on August 14, 2006

I flew on Friday and drinks bought at the gift shop had to be thrown out. And after you go through security, you can buy drinks inside the terminal, but have to throw them out before going on the plane.
posted by k8t at 9:51 AM on August 14, 2006

FAA.gov sez:
TSA is immediately implementing following changes to airport screening procedures:

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.
Exception: Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines

Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.
posted by beagle at 9:51 AM on August 14, 2006

In the UK you could/can still bring drinks bought airside onboard, even when no other hand luggage was/is allowed. This might be the source of the confusion.
posted by cillit bang at 9:53 AM on August 14, 2006

Any liquids must be stored internally. External liquids must be left in the airport.
posted by blue_beetle at 9:59 AM on August 14, 2006

You won't be allowed to fill your flask, but *ahem* 4oz of Nyquil should be fine.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 10:06 AM on August 14, 2006

Response by poster: So they're rifling through carry-ons as passengers enter the jetway?

And flight attendants are now watching for unauthorized containers? And confiscating them, mid-flight?
posted by Rash at 10:09 AM on August 14, 2006

A Heathrow-NY flight turned back yesterday when they found a mobile phone on board, so I wouldn't be at all surprised, Rash.
posted by bonaldi at 10:22 AM on August 14, 2006

TOUGH restrictions at Britain's airports were due to be eased today after the latest intelligence suggested a terror attack was no longer imminent. Passengers will now be able to carry one piece of hand baggage each, but liquids other than baby milk and prescriptions remain banned.


In the US:
TSA said it would let flyers carry treatments for low blood sugar, including glucose gel for diabetics; solid lipstick; and baby food. But it said all aerosols are prohibited.
On Saturday, the TSA added mascara to the list of banned items, which includes baby teethers containing gel or liquid, children's toys containing gel and gel candles.
Chertoff said the government was putting "less emphasis on the nail clippers and the nail scissors" and more on training additional screeners "specifically to look for modern-type detonation equipment that might be concealed in baggage."
He said a ban on carry-on luggage was "unlikely at this point."
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:29 AM on August 14, 2006

Just a note to add that "In the UK you could/can still bring drinks bought airside onboard, even when no other hand luggage was/is allowed" is accurate, except for flights to America, where liquids, gels, pastes and other gloopy things will be confiscated before boarding, even if they were bought airside.
posted by flashboy at 10:33 AM on August 14, 2006

Response by poster: Seeking observation of domestic US flights here -- TSA pronouncements are all over the media, but the reality inside the airport and aircraft security zone is what I'm looking for with this question.
posted by Rash at 10:52 AM on August 14, 2006

Sorry to hijack but I'm flying this evening, Denver to Anchorage. Is there going to be an issue carrying on my laptop and cell phone? I'd rather not put them in checked baggage.
posted by 6550 at 11:12 AM on August 14, 2006

Here's a NyQuil cocktail recipe.
posted by billtron at 11:15 AM on August 14, 2006

Is there going to be an issue carrying on my laptop and cell phone?

I just flew from NYC to Miami with both. No problem. And tsa.gov says you can fly with electronics. Just not gels or liquids.
posted by grumblebee at 11:20 AM on August 14, 2006

Rash said: Seeking observation of domestic US flights here -- TSA pronouncements are all over the media, but the reality inside the airport and aircraft security zone is what I'm looking for with this question.

The reality varies by airport and TSA personnel but at this point it is safe to assume that no, you can't bring any liquids onboard and that they will make a thorough search of all carry-ons. On board the flight, airlines provide drinks at an inflated price. That is the only real beverage option you will probably have.
posted by JJ86 at 11:20 AM on August 14, 2006

I just flew from NYC to Miami with both. No problem. And tsa.gov says you can fly with electronics. Just not gels or liquids.

Thanks grumblebee.
posted by 6550 at 11:22 AM on August 14, 2006

A bunch of my friends traveled this weekend for a reunion, and some missed certain liquids when they were tossing everything aside on thursday. The upshot: Lots of airports are missing all kinds of liquids. Hand sanitizer, perfume, chapstick, etc. etc. Some of my friends even had their bags hand checked after going through the x-ray, and some of that stuff got missed. None of their airports actually found any of the liquids we forgot to remove.
posted by Amizu at 12:42 PM on August 14, 2006

What if you freeze your beverage? Then it's a solid. Wonder how tightly they're scrutinizing the different phases of matter.
posted by rolypolyman at 1:29 PM on August 14, 2006 [1 favorite]

They're going to see a clear outline of a bottle and realize you have just disregarded the requirement you've been hearing repeated over the loudspeaker and written on posted signs for the entirety of your wait in line to get to that point. There might be some law they can cite you with at that point since claiming that you believed a frozen bottle of water didn't count is complete bullshit.

Or they might just subject you to extreme scrutiny, or simply turn you away and refuse to let you fly. These folks have a lot of discretion and little oversight pushing them to be lenient.
posted by phearlez at 2:34 PM on August 14, 2006

rolypolyman:

I just flew today with a bag of ice keeping some food cold. It was in my backpack which wasn't manually inspected so I don't know the official policy, but it seems likely that it would get through.
posted by Durin's Bane at 3:56 PM on August 14, 2006

I flew today (out of BWI on Southwest), and witnessed the TSA at a gate randomly going through people's bags looking for liquids. They did not do this at my gate. The examinations appeared to be cursory. We were all lectured about the liquids on planes thing, and the garbage can at our gate was full to overflowing with empty drink bottles.

As far as electronics go, in my carry-on was an iPod, laptop, cellphone, car remote key fob thingy, two pairs of headphones, part of a speaker phone, a long CAT5 cable, yadda, yadda, and there were no problems.
posted by popechunk at 9:51 PM on August 14, 2006