The "3-1-1" Rule
 

Perhaps too much time on my hands, but got to wondering about the little plastic baggie rules. Suppose I show up at screening w/ stuff in 1 1-pint bag or, carrying this a bit further, 2 1-pint bags, e.g., 2pts=1qt. What response from TSA?

Nothing, a snit fit, or a terminal dump, or anything in between... That's the beauty of having thousands of employees sworn to inconsistency. ;)

Like IslandBased said, the reaction will depend entirely on the environment at the airport & the attitude of the screener. You might be able to get away with a gallon bag/multiple quart bags at a smaller, more laid back airport, but definitely not at a larger chaos-ridden hub like LAX or EWR.

OTOH, chaos could be played to one's advantage.

One could imagine a scenario such as the following. Using strategic spacing, a single traveler could lay down one Kippie at the leading edge of their possessions and another at the trailing edge (and maybe throw in the declared medical exclusions in the middle). It's not as if the screener has a clear indication where one pax's possessions end and another's begins. Ex:

Kippie #1 :: declared medical exclusions :: shoes :: coat in bin :: rollaboard :: lap top :: laptop bag :: Kippie #2

When the war on liquids was declared in 2006, and mascara and lip gloss became suspect, I started carrying a second makeup bag -- basically another Kippie that I could pull from my main makeup bag. Kippie 1 contained gender neutral items, Kippie 2 was saved for questionable items. Apparently, separating each Kippie by several other personal items decouples them in the minds of some. One would think that multiple screeners standing mere inches or feet apart would track actual ownership of every item presented for X-ray but we all know they have other, more pressing thoughts on their minds.

I've been yelled (and yes, it was yelled) at for having a smaller than one-quart bag. However, the overwhelming majority of transit through checkpoints have been smooth.

essxjay points out a hole in the system. Would not suggest trying that at smaller airports, as many of them are way overstaffed and have plenty of screeners sitting around watching everything you do.

My record is four. Much easier in the colder months. ;)

If one needs to get multiple bags through and has the time and a partner, one could simply go through security once with the partner with a couple bags. Then leave those with the partner and go back to your car in the parking garage, grab another bag, and go through security again. Repeat until you've got all you need on the other side.

Yet another gaping hole in the security theater that is TSA.

Easy any time of the year when employing what I call the Decolletage Feint. (Yes, I'm serious, and no, it's not about flashing.)

Except that sometimes watching everything you do is the very method of getting everything you want through the c/p (c.f. post #8, this thread).

ETA: Airport size strikes me as less relevant than the ratio of pax : staff : machine at a given minute.

Drive down to Eugene and you'll see an overabundance of screeners. Complete feeling of herded cattle down there.

Inductively, yes. Deductively, not so much. Hope that's clearer.

Yup.

+1

Leaving LAX for Cancun via DFW, I had just three items that were liquids... blistex, lotion, and hand sanitizer. All less than 1 oz (travel size). I put them in a small sandwich bag that probably holds 1 cup if that.

I was yelled at because I did not have the "right" bag. I was told to either put them in the correct bag or surrender them. I decided to put them in my wife's bag instead as she had enough room for them.

What are the rules for packing Soaps and Shampoo's and other stuff in your checked bag?

I use a safety razor with blade and want to bring it? Is this all safe in your checked baggage?

That makes no bloody sense at all. Wasn't the (supposed) stated purpose of choosing the quart-sized bag to limit the amount of liquid/gel a pax could take on board? Wouldn't choosing a SMALLER bag be BETTER, because the PAX is intentionally limiting themselves FURTHER?

Also, FYI, the Blistex doesn't have to go in the kippie bag. There's an exception for lip balm.