The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a US agency under the Department of Homeland Security that oversees the safety of American airports. Created in 2001 under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the agency has created rules that have kept the United States airports safe since its inception.
Their rules include documentation requirements, screening guidelines, and their equivalent. Most of those rules have prohibited the use of many items on the plane, including certain types of clothes, liquids, powders, electronics, etc., which we will further explore during this piece. Below is the breakdown of the TSA travel requirements for liquids and other relevant rules.
TSA has certain rules guiding security checkpoints that facilitate a seamless screening process. As an air passenger, it’s important that you get acquainted with this protocol. The major ones include:
These TSA liquid rules, also called the 3-1-1 liquid rule, dictate the type of liquid substance airline passengers need to bring into the plane. For example, the rule specifically states that all aerosols, liquids, and gels carried onboard should be contained within 3.4 ounces, per TSA liquid regulations, approximately 100 ml or less. Also, all containers must fit into one clear, quartz-size plastic, single re-sealable pack.
For easier security checks, passengers are advised to carry a reusable clear Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) travel pouch instead of a flimsy Ziploc bag. Passengers are advised to keep the pouch closer to their normal traveling bag to easily access it when at the security checkpoint. Passengers in a TSA Precheck Lane are required to pull out the pouch and place it in the bin.
But there are exceptions:
Baby nourishment substances like breast milk, baby formula, baby food, and their equivalents are exempt from the TSA restriction. Passengers don’t need to be traveling with the baby to bring these things along. Another exemption is medications, which are categorized among medical necessities, e.g., saline solutions like the 0.45% NaCl and 0.9% NaCl, prescription liquid medications e.g., Nasal Sprays and Inhalations, or its equivalent.
The TSA rules on electronics stipulate that e-readers, laptops, handy game consoles, and tablets must be removed from the passenger’s luggage and placed into a different container for X-ray screening. Every passenger must remove every electronic device smaller than a cell phone from their handbags for inspection. This includes e-readers, tablets, laptops and their equivalents.
However, passengers with Pre-Check do not need to remove their electronics. This means the said passenger has gone through the advanced security technology and risk assessment procedure. Passengers are permitted to take as many consumer batteries as possible under 100 watt-hours (Wh) in their bags. This automatically grants laptops, all types of smartphones, and normal power banks access.
Bigger power banks containing batteries with 101 and 160 Wh capacity, often used for camping or film shooting, need to be approved beforehand and are restricted to just two per passenger. Also note that any battery over 160 Wh capacity is outright restricted from entering passenger aircraft, according to the TSA rules.
There’s also a rule for “smart luggage.” Passengers with smart suitcases with an inbuilt battery require the batteries to be removed before being carried into the cabin. In a situation where the battery can’t be removed, the bag cannot be allowed onboard.
The TSA rules place a strong restriction on powdered substances like protein powder and makeup that weigh more than 12 ounces, approx. 350 ml. The rule advises passengers to place it in a different bin for examination. It restricts passengers from carrying these substances in their bags onto planes departing the United States and on inbound U.S. international flights.
Then there’s the 12-ounce rule that specifies the required volume a passenger can carry. In the limit clause of this rule, passengers with a liquid substance measuring 12 ounces (the volume of an average can of soda), approximately 350 milliliters or more, cannot be kept inside the handbag. The owner must remove it from the bag at the security checkpoint and place it in a different bin for proper X-ray screening.
Passengers must understand that security personnel adopt advanced screening procedures that include special screening equipment to examine the container for hazardous materials. During the screening process, passengers may also be required to open the container for visual inspection. And in a case where the powder cannot be verified to be safe, the rule requires it to be confiscated or properly disposed.
Passengers are expected to remove their shoes, jackets, heavy jewelry, and belts while at the standard screening lanes. TSA rules on clothing require air passengers to follow specific wardrobe procedures that include wearing shoes that can easily be removed and put back on.
To avoid delays or any form of inconvenience, regular travelers are advised to stick to the simple wardrobe pattern. It includes wearing shoes that are easy to remove, and long laced boots aren’t one of them. Try unlaced Chelsea boots, loafers, slip-on shoes.
Avoid clothing with many metal designs, e.g., heavily metal-embedded jeans, or cargo pants with many metal zippers, bras with underwire metal content. And lastly, put your keys, wallet, and wristwatch inside your bag before arriving at the security lane. This will help you not scramble at the bin while at the checkpoint.
Airport security now uses Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), and it pays more attention to dense and bulky folds, not really metals. Wear joggers, casual slacks, or leggings with (maybe) elastic waistbands. And passengers should wear pants that do not require a belt, or they may have to spend a little more time with security protocol.
As for tops, passengers are advised to wear something that will tolerate the current temperature both in the airplane and at the airport. This is because temperatures largely fluctuate in those places; wearing a smart top or layers is very important. Wear long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt as a base layer, then top it with base layer lightweight zip hoodie or open plaid shirt.
There are few TSA- recommended ways to carry your powdered substance:
This is the easiest alternative to safely move your container of powdered protein in large quantity. Passengers can easily move their spices, diets, or coffee into their checked luggage without restrictions. And the fun part is that the 12-ounce restriction doesn’t apply to it.
Let it remain in its original container. If you must take the powdered substance with you, let it remain in its original packaging. That way, the airport security can see its label, description, ingredients, and other relevant information clearly printed on it. This is because any white substance in a plain, unbranded bag is usually seen as suspicious and subjected to rigorous security checks, including X-ray screening.
Instead of coming to the airport with the whole pack, prepare your powdered substance into travel-sized, smaller packs that measure less than 12 ounces. On June 30, 2018, TSA released new requirements that require passengers to place their powder substances of 12oz or 350mL (the size of U.S. soda) in their bags. Also note that those powders in the bag are subject to secondary screening. But in a case where the powder cannot be cleared by security, it won’t be allowed onboard the aircraft.
Regular airline travelers will notice that jewelry and accessories are one of the most common things scanners detect. Also note that regular prescription glasses are exempt from TSA restrictions. Hair accessories like claws, large metallic headbands, and pins can trigger the scanner. Minor body piercings are okay, but when they are large and noticeable, the scanner picks them up immediately.
While most people will prefer to retain their jewelry for a particular reason, e.g., artists, airport security jewelry rules in compliance with the TSA rules advise that passengers wear as few accessories as possible. Some recommended jewelry includes wedding rings, stud earrings, or, better still, a silicone ring.
Try to avoid large metal wristwatches, heavy metallic bracelets e.g., cartier bracelets, and chunky necklaces. But in a case where the passenger is so connected with their accessories that they can’t leave them behind; this is the trick: consider putting all the jewelry into a zip bag and wearing it back after you have crossed security check.
The TSA travel requirements for liquids are considered the strictest, but it’s understandable. Things get really bad on board when the security checks get it wrong. Understand that while metal detectors can pick up magnetic fields, the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) can detect activities in silhouette. That’s another way of saying that one cannot be too smart for these machines. Finally, the TSA rules are transitional, meaning that it is subject to change as newer technologies emerge.