3-1-1 Tip: How to Carry on More Than Three Ounces
- Carry-On Bags: The Ultimate Guide
- What is a Liquid, and What Isn't?
- What is a Liquid, and What Isn't: Part Two
- Everything You Need to Know About Airport Security: A Primer for 2010
- Tips for the 3-1-1 Liquid Ban
- Ten Smart Ways to Simplify Security
- Packing Tips for Carry-On Bags: What You Need to Know
- Heading to the Airport? Use This Checklist Before You Go
- Avoid Fees and Hassles With a Well-Packed Bag
- Readers' Best Carry-On Packing Tips
- Putting Non-Liquid Toiletries to the Test
As a law-abiding citizen, you have been duly adhering to the TSA's 3-1-1
liquids rule
, strictly packing toiletries of 3 ounces or less and placing those containers in a clear zip-top bag, right? But wait, if you've been doing that you're actually cheating yourself out of a precious extra four-tenths of an ounce liquid per bottle. That's right, the "3" in the "3-1-1" liquid ban rule actually stands for 100 milliliters, or 3.4 ounces.
Exceptions
Additionally, reasonable amounts of saline solution, doctor-prescribed medications, baby formula, and breast milk are among the few items that aren't subjected to the liquid ban. Do, however, make it a point to declare such liquids to a TSA agent as soon as you arrive at the security checkpoint.
Pack It?
When in doubt, refer to the TSA's
prohibited-items list
, or simply pack the liquids in your checked luggage. But first, print out SmarterTravel's
Airline Fees: The Ultimate Guide
, a handy cheat-sheet to checked-bag fees.
Resources
I've compiled a listing of related content on the 3-1-1 liquid rule, getting efficiently through airport security, and packing tips to avoid extra baggage fees: