According to the Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.), there are still a number of things you can bring with you in your carry-on, but you would never know it. What are these items and where is the current list published? I don’t think the commercial airlines do a good job publishing and distributing the T.S.A. list of prohibited items. Whether you purchased your ticket online or through an agent or over the phone — you should receive a current T.S.A. list of permitted and/or prohibited items when you receive your confirmation of ticket purchase, perhaps as a good gesture or courtesy. Most parents probably know it is a challenge to travel with children in tow, being able to pack properly should be a given.

It reminds me of the mother who was forced to drink her own breast milk while passing through a JFK a few years ago. The Screener had her do this to prove that her breast milk was not a dangerous substance. At the time having her do this was well within the current laws (since then those laws have been changed). Not to say this kind of thing will happen again, but I think we should learn from this and and take it upon ourselves to be well informed Travelers.

My Mother-In-Law works the check-in counter for Frontier Airlines and the other day she was sharing some of the stories of people holding up the check-in process because they were trying to get through the screening process with things currently not allowed by the T.S.A. She was also reciting for us all the T.S.A. rules and regulations for prohibited items. There was a tone in her voice that suggested that she is used to rattling them off. This begged me to ask the question, “how are we supposed to know they can only have three onces of hair gel and it needs to be in a separate container which is in a ZipLoc sandwich bag?”

Learn the 3-1-1 Rule:

3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.

Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.

Be prepared. Each time T.S.A. searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.

3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.

Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.

Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.

TSA working with our partners. TSA works with airlines and airports to anticipate peak traffic and be ready for the traveling public.

Where is this information published? How often does it change? What kind of rules are there when traveling with small children? Would I have any reason to doubt that I bring nail clippers in my carry-on? Cologne? Saline Solution? Please follow the related links below to educate yourself as to what is permitted when traveling.

Related Links;
U.S.A. Today | JFK Airport Security Forces Woman to Drink Own Breast Milk
Transportation Security Administration | Traveling With Children
T.S.A. | Prohibited items