Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The TSA introduced a 3-1-1 rule after conducting explosives testing with various amounts of liquids. Liquids, gels and aerosols in small quantities are acceptable to bring on-board. You can carry one clear, quart-sized bag with a zip top, which may contain 3.4 oz. or smaller bottles of liquid or gel. All these bottles must fit in the clear, zip-top bag and you are allowed only one such bag. For larger amounts of liquids, pack those in your checked luggage. The TSA has exceptions to these rules and allow passengers to carry liquids in greater quantities than these if they are for medical purposes. These include prescription and over-the-counter medications, life support liquids such as blood products and frozen items, provided they are frozen solid. In addition, baby formula, breast milk and juice are allowed if you are traveling with a child. You must present all these excepted items to the security officer at the checkpoint.
The TSA does not allow passengers to carry sharp objects such as box cutters, knives, razors, ice picks or swords on board. You may bring scissors on-board provided the blades are shorter than four inches. You also may not bring on-board, but may pack in your checked luggage, sporting equipment such as baseball bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks and the like, firearms or ammunition, sharp tools such as axes, crowbars or hammers, martial arts items such as brass knuckles, throwing stars or night sticks. In addition, gel-type candles and snow globes may not be carried on but can be packed in checked luggage.
The TSA will screen every piece of baggage before it is placed on a plane. Some pieces of baggage may be screened by hand and TSA officials will need to open your suitcase. Luggage that you will check must therefore not be locked with a lock that the TSA can't open. You can place a TSA-approved lock on your luggage, sold at airports and travel stores, if you wish. Explosives, most chemicals and toner and ink cartridges over 16 oz. are not allowed, either on-board or in checked luggage. As of 2008, the Department of Transportation no longer allows loose lithium batteries to be packed in checked baggage; these must be in your carry-on.