Passion 1 - Travel Tips 3-1-1

My friend Gina, who celebrated her golden year last Saturday, is leaving for the USA in October. This is a long deserved vacation for her and a visit to her siblings in New York and Vancouver. I would love to hear of your road trips from the west to the east coast when you return.

As of September 26, 2006, the TSA adjusted the ban on liquids, gels and aerosols. Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints. The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

How about make-up, medication and personal items? Yes, as long as they are in 3 oz. containers or smaller. This will include bug or mosquito spray and repellents, deodorants, eye drops, lip gel, lip gloss, liquid foundation, liquid perfumes/colognes, liquid mascara, make-up removers or facial cleansers, mouthwash, nail polish, etc. You can also hand carry umbrellas and walking canes once they have been inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed.

For us smokers, common lighters are still not allowed in your carry-on.

Food and drinks – Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in a 3 oz. or smaller container and in your quart-size, zip-top plastic bag is allowed. Medications, baby formula, canned or jarred soup, sauces, peanut butter, pudding, jell-Os, yogurt, fruits, vegetables and jellies are allowed as long as they are in 3 oz. or smaller containers.

Gin, I think you have more valuable stuff to put in your carry-on rather than peanut butter and liquid mascara….

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides you with a travel tip to speed up screening. . Just remember 3-1-1

3 –3 ounce or smaller container of liquid or gel

1 – 1 quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag holding 3 ounce or smaller containers

1 –1 bag per traveler placed in the security bin

For more information, you can visit www.tsa.gov or www.faa.gov