Virtually None Of The Items Made In The U.S. Will Meet TSA Guidelines

Passengers planning to bring a snow globe on a plane this season might want to consider shipping the item ahead. A Denver, CO, company called Snow Globe Central says almost all domestically made snow globes and domes contain more liquid than current TSA guidelines allow, and might not make it through airport security.

TSA recently changed its guidelines concerning the transport of snow globes through airport security in their carry-on luggage. But the snow globe manufacturer says this guideline is very misleading, as almost no domestically made snow globes will meet TSA standards. "We manufacture snow globes in Denver, and are also world-wide experts at snow globe repair," said Reid Grossnickle, president of Denver-based Snow Globe Central. "We send and receive hundreds of treasured snow globes every year. The most common size of snow globe we make and repair is the 4-inch diameter glass globe, shown here with the base and completed interior."

A snow globe with a glass ball that is 4 inches across contains about 16 ounces of liquid, more than a can of soda, and would not be allowed in carry-on luggage according to TSA's current guidelines. TSA states that it will permit snow globes "that appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces."

In the photo above provided by the company, from left to right, a 1.75 inch diameter globe holds just under 2 ounces. That size, which is typically used ONLY by snow globes typically made in China and Hong Kong as holiday tree decorations, is the only size that would fall under current TSA-allowed guidelines. Continuing on: a 2.5" glass globe holds about 4.75 ounces; a 3" diameter glass globe contains about 8 ounces, a 4-inch diameter snow globe holds about 16 ounces of liquid, and the 5-inch diameter glass globe encloses as much as 28 ounces of liquid. In the photo, the snow globe with a base is one made by Snow Globe Central. It is the most common size of snow globe sold in the United States. It has twice as much liquid as would be allowed by these guidelines.

"People are passionate about their snow globes, and we don't want to see anyone misdirected by thinking that the ban has been lifted," Grossnickle said. "There is still a ban unless you are carrying a very tiny globe or dome. Snow Globe Central recommends you ship your treasured snow globe gifts, or pack them carefully in checked luggage, to avoid disappointment when going through airport security."

FMI: www.snowglobecentral.com