Airline Luggage Restrictions
Thanks to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and several security incidents that have happened on flights since then, there are now many airline luggage restrictions in place. The Transporation Security Administration (TSA) has an extensive list of what these airline luggage restrictions are and how they will affect you. There are lots of things you can no longer bring on board a plane at all. However, most things are permissible to include in your checked baggage. In fact, one of the most important things to remember about the new airline luggage restrictions is that if you're in doubt, check it.
One of the newest restrictions has to do with liquids. It was revealed a few years ago that some liquids can be turned into explosives if you know what you're doing, so the TSA banned all liquids from being brought on board planes for a while. This, of course, caused a huge public outcry, especially among people who travel with babies and need formula at hand, or who take liquid prescription medications. The TSA has since adjusted the rules regarding liquids on planes, but those rules are still pretty restrictive.
The essence of the liquids rule is that no liquids can be brought on board a plane in containers greater than three ounces. Further, all three ounce containers of liquids have to be packed together in one quart-sized zip-lock bag that is subject to additional inspection at the security check-point. The only exceptions to this rule are for breast milk, infant formula, liquid prescription medications, and similar items (and these exceptions are still subject to additional inspections).
Of course, no weapons of any kind can be brought on board. Aerosol cans are also out. Most kinds of tools are also banned from carry on bags under the new airline luggage restrictions. However, all of these things can go in checked baggage. In general, the only types of items that can't go on a plane at all, even in storage, are explosives, or things that could become explosive in flight. If you know the restrictions and plan your packing around them in advance, you should have no problems at the airport when you travel and your trip through the security check-point should go smoothly.
One of the newest restrictions has to do with liquids. It was revealed a few years ago that some liquids can be turned into explosives if you know what you're doing, so the TSA banned all liquids from being brought on board planes for a while. This, of course, caused a huge public outcry, especially among people who travel with babies and need formula at hand, or who take liquid prescription medications. The TSA has since adjusted the rules regarding liquids on planes, but those rules are still pretty restrictive.
The essence of the liquids rule is that no liquids can be brought on board a plane in containers greater than three ounces. Further, all three ounce containers of liquids have to be packed together in one quart-sized zip-lock bag that is subject to additional inspection at the security check-point. The only exceptions to this rule are for breast milk, infant formula, liquid prescription medications, and similar items (and these exceptions are still subject to additional inspections).
Of course, no weapons of any kind can be brought on board. Aerosol cans are also out. Most kinds of tools are also banned from carry on bags under the new airline luggage restrictions. However, all of these things can go in checked baggage. In general, the only types of items that can't go on a plane at all, even in storage, are explosives, or things that could become explosive in flight. If you know the restrictions and plan your packing around them in advance, you should have no problems at the airport when you travel and your trip through the security check-point should go smoothly.