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Liquids soon to be allowed back on planes
It looks like beer runs to Istanbul may be back on the table again, as the feds are reconsidering the ban on liquids greater than 3oz. According to the folks with the Associated Free Press, bigwigs at the International Civil Aviation Organization meeting in Montreal have been hinting that new technology in the baggage scanning world will soon be able to detect malicious liquids at security checkpoints. The technology could be widespread and integrated into airports by 2012.This means that cases of wine from Argentina, packs of beer from Minneapolis and, well, large bottles of toothpaste and contact lens solution may soon once more be allowed to fly with their owners in the cabins of passengers jets. Of course this also means that that battle for overhead bins may begin once more, with desperate passengers trying to cram a weeks worth of luggage into an microscopic rollaboard. Still, the benefits will still outweigh the costs.
What will truly be interesting to see is how the airlines react to reduced to income from checked baggage fees. It wouldn't surprise us at Gadling Labs if they either secretly try to block the ease on liquids restrictions or incorporate some hardcore checked baggage policies in the future.
[flickr image via bark]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
benji Oct 4th 2010 8:13PM
When I see it, I beliefe it, the money making is going to get in the way, because all america sees is dollar signs and the money they rake in just from water behind security where it can be bought again, is mindboggling, and stupid.
phony security, its all about the mighty buck in this country.
Reality Check Oct 5th 2010 6:04AM
TSA is proof that America is NOT a democracy. Take a vote and see how many Americans want TSA shut down forever. Probably about 90% - so why is this idiotic group still wasting YOUR tax money searching YOU without a warrant. They even search small children and terrify them - if it was anyone else you would have them arrested for child abuse, but you tolerate this outrage because that's what America has turned into.
don Oct 4th 2010 8:29PM
Always thought it was one of the stupider things to come out of this terrorist scare. You never know when someone might want to make a bomb out of toothpaste shampoo and sunblock.Thank God for these laws. Making America a safer place. LOL. By the way. A few years ago, at Phila International Airport, I stupidly left my key-wattet in one of those grey plastic bins while going through the x-ray machine. I was picked out of line for extra screening. When I got to my destination I noticed that $200 was missing from my wallet. Hope the TSA agent did something special with the extra cash.
arlen Oct 4th 2010 8:43PM
To travel with my stuff instead of using hotel stuff. The TSA is concept is a joke, but has become a "big" business. And little minded people have a badge and can make others miserable.
Gioia Oct 4th 2010 9:21PM
Thank god!I traveled this summer with a huge bottle of Evian(I couldn't find it in my bag,so I figured my sister took it),and managed to go through Tunis and Paris CDG until some goon at JFK realized that I had a 32 ounce bottle of water in my bag.Imagine if there had been some sort of dangerous item in there! Very scary to get through 2 major airports (and to be on an A380 with tons of people on it) and get through with no issue
jim Oct 4th 2010 9:38PM
2012 doesn't sound like SOON to me. It's all a crock when it comes to the TSA.
Kent Oct 5th 2010 12:29AM
Considering that airlines disclaim responsibility for fragile items, you would think they would welcome people wanting to carry on bottles of wine, say from Napa/Sonoma or Washington State.
Do you think the airlines really want broken bottles of wine in the hold. The liquid becomes very sticky.
As for the likes of toothpaste, pre-shave, skin care lotions and creams, think of it this way. The smart passenger puts that stuff in a carry-on, so that if the checked bag gets lost, he or she can still take care of personal needs.
If that stuff gets lost with a missing bag, besides the expense of getting the bag to the owner, it also needs to advance some money for toiletries (assuming that a bag isn't returned until the next morning). So, this saves money for the airline.
Kent Oct 5th 2010 12:32AM
Here's a hint. Don't put the wallet in the bin. That's just tempting, whether to a professional thief (and they do work airports) or the dishonest TSA employee.
Put your wallet in your carry-on bag. TSA doesn't care what you do with the stuff in your pockets (wallet, keys, change) so long as you don't carry through the metal detector. It can be loose or in a coat, briefcase, or rollerboard.
Connie Oct 5th 2010 12:47AM
If the airlines would police the size of the carry-ons better, there would be plenty of room for everyone. It would be great to not have to worry about the size of liquids but I fear that it will still take years before they finally change.
Guy Oct 5th 2010 12:46AM
"...Large Bottles of Toothpaste"? Did a TSA agent write this article?.
I had a TSA agent take away a tiny American flag tie tack in Kennedy. I knew to not get mouthy but I asked her "What about all the ladies behind me wearing a pin or brooch. She didn't care. By looking at her, I could tell she was just a baby producer with no children's Father in the home, so she took my tie tack for her son's Birthday Gift , because there was no male in the house to set an example.
I'm not sure this is true, but someone told me, since its inception, TSA has never deterred a terrorist.
mike Oct 5th 2010 12:49AM
"...Large Bottles of Toothpaste"? Did a TSA agent write this article?.
I had a TSA agent take away a tiny American flag tie tack in Kennedy. I knew to not get mouthy but I asked her "What about all the ladies behind me wearing a pin or brooch. She didn't care. By looking at her, I could tell she was just a baby producer with no children's Father in the home, so she took my tie tack for her son's Birthday Gift , because there was no male in the house to set an example.
I'm not sure this is true, but someone told me, since its inception, TSA has never deterred a terrorist.
An American TSO Oct 5th 2010 1:57AM
I'm not sure this is true, but someone told me, since its inception, TSA has never deterred a terrorist.
Since 9/11 and TSA's founding has there been an attack on American soil..I think not Mike.. get your facts straight...
Mike Oct 5th 2010 2:16AM
Right, there hasn't been an attack on American Soil, but there have been numerous tests where tons of weapons or illegal items got right thru. Never Detected. These agents remind me of glorified Toll Takers. Let them go thru your dirty clothes, drop a quarter in their mouth and proceed. Are you one of these glorified trash pickers? I bet is was a Merry Chistmas around your house. Did everyone get 1/2 full bottles of perfumes as a gift.
You jumped on this so quickly I bet it's to cover up the guilt you are living with.