Small Amounts Of Gels, Drinks Purchased Past Security Allowed Onboard

The Transportation Safety Administration announced Monday that effective September 26, passengers on commercial airliners will once again be able to bring gels and liquids onboard with them... but, as you may expect, there are still some restrictions.

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), fliers may bring onboard travel-size containers -- the kind you see in the travel section at your drug store -- of gels such as shaving cream, or hair gel. Travel-size toothpaste containers will also be allowed... as long as each bottle or tube contains less than three ounces of each product, and is placed in a one-quart see-thru zip-lock bag.

The TSA also determined travellers may also bring onboard that overpriced bottle of water purchased in the secure airport area -- so last-minute chug-a-lugging in the boarding line is not necessary anymore.

The easing of carry-on restrictions comes nearly two months after a total ban on all liquids contained in carry-on luggage (or carried by passengers) inside the cabin of a commercial airliner was initiated, after the British government arrested several people believed to be connected to a plot to simultaneously blow up several US-bound airliners using liquid explosives.

"After the initial, total ban, we have learned enough from the UK investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers," said Assistant TSA Secretary Kip Hawley. "We have also taken additional security measures throughout the airport that make us comfortable allowing passengers to bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure area onboard."

No doubt, business travellers will be overjoyed that they can go for a two-day trip... without having to get a baggage receipt for their toothpaste.

FMI: www.tsa.gov