Airline Luggage Restrictions
Think twice about what goes into your luggage
Items that were once automatically thrown into your luggage, particularly things you wanted handy in your carry-on bag, are now on the Transportation Security Administration's banned or restricted list. Think your big bottle of moisturizer is a must-have while in transit? Think again. Thanks to a bomb scare in 2005, liquids are restricted to less than 3 ounces, which must be sealed in a clear bag and may be inspected manually. Anything greater than 3 ounces you'd better declare.
Even though Sept. 11 changed how security deals with banned items, common sense is still the best way to approach your carry-on. In other words, leave your dynamite, tear gas and hand grenades at home. Chances are you won't need them anyway.
Banned Items
While it's surprising that we need to be told to leave our explosives at home, the TSA doesn't think it's remotely funny - or open for debate. In many cases, items like firearms are banned from riding under your seat, but if you're flying domestic within the continental United States, you can pack them with your checked luggage. Some things are absolutely not allowed to be transported anywhere on a passenger airplane:
- Explosive materials - This refers to everything from blasting caps to fireworks to flares to plastic explosives. Simply put - if it blows up, leave it at home. As adults, we don't need to be told that. Right?
- Chemicals - Chlorine for swimming pools, compressed gas cylinders (including fire extinguishers), liquid bleach, spray paint and, yep, tear gas are all on the banned list. Another no-brainer.
- Flammables - Gasoline, lighter fluid, matches, turpentine and realistic replicas of incendiary devices are no-nos. Again, do we need to be told not to bring gasoline?
Flights bound for international destinations may include additional items because each country puts out its own list of prohibited materials.
Restricted Items
In general, the TSA has restricted carry-on items that fall into one of three categories: sharp objects; sporting goods that can be used as weapons; and aerosols, liquids, gels or pastes. Most of the things on the restricted list can be stowed in your checked luggage, though.
- Sharp objects - Knives, box cutters, ice picks, meat cleavers and swords must all be packed in your checked luggage.
- Sporting goods - Baseball bats, bows and arrows, golf clubs, hockey and lacrosse sticks, pool cues and spear guns are on the list of things not allowed into the aircraft cabin.
- Liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes - As long as you buy containers no larger than 3 ounces and carefully tuck them in a quart-sized ziplock baggie, you're free to bring these on board with you. Some items in larger containers may be allowed on the plane but must be presented to security for inspection. These rules change without warning by Homeland Security. Don't be surprised if you're asked to pitch currently banned items or forfeit your flight.
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