You don't need empty bottles. Simply buy as many as you want after you pass thru security and then stow them in your carryon luggage. Even better go with canned soft drinks as they can't be differentiated from the airlines cans (just make sure you get the right brand, i.e., pepsi v. coke)

I boarded 4 planes last week, the TSA was only conducting gate checks at 2/4 (to/from DCA) and even then your chance of being searched was about 1:10, less if you timed it right. Further there was no gate rape so you could probably stuff them in your pants, skirt, etc. as they were only rummaging thru bags.

The whole idea of confiscating items like water that are so easily obtained (after the checkpoint) and easily hidden is beyond absurd.

P.S. SFO missed my neosporin, but it was confiscated at DCA, which I gather means the screeners in the Washington area are more competent, so to speak.

I do have to give props to Bart's counterpart. The screener wanted to take my flonase (minus the prescrip.) but he was overruled by the supervisor who correctly noted that it fell under the nasal spray exception, with or without prescrip. Bravo.

Could someone please explain why 5 tiny alcohol swabs were confiscated at IAD yesterday? Also, why was the TSA trying to look in my eyes and confirm that I was wearing contact lenses before allowing me to retain my 1 oz. trial size bottle of lense solution?

After carefully scrutinizing the TSA page regarding what is allowed onboard and what is not, I could not find a ban on alcohol swabs or a requirement that I be wearing contact lenses.

Contact lenses in small containers w/ liquid?
 

I couldn't find anything on the TSA website....
I wear disposable contacts. Am traveling today and want to take with two extra contact lenses. They are packaged in little containers with about 10 drops of liquid (saline solution, I believe). Anyone have any experience with these? I'd rather not have them taken away, as they're not that cheap. But I need them because if I tear or lose a contact (i.e. the ones in my eyes), I need replacements! I won't be traveling with any other liquids, if that makes a difference.

Contact lenses require a Rx. I would think having the Rx that goes with your lenses should suffice. But then this is the TSA we're talking about, so all bets are off.

Carry-on some enema packs. Ask if they want them demonstrated.

Taking a same-day turn-around MR this Saturday. Really don't look foward to this mess... it's my first flight since 8/10.

Steve B.

Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Who in the world carries prescriptions with them?

This is my first flight since the new rules, as well. Definitely a pain! I actually mailed stuff to my destination -- would rather do that beforehand and have it be there when arrive then having to worry about going shopping upon arrival. Either way - major pain.

TSA did not even look twice at my saline solution or my spare pair of lenses, nor did they check my eyes. I don't think a prescrip. is necessary but YMMV.

YMMV is correct...from day one of TSA's existence, what Screener A at Airport ABC has done has been different than what Screener B at same airport has done, which is different than what Screener C at Airport DEF has done. And so on. Too bad the train system in the U.S. is so messed up, as I would seriously consider taking the train more often -- for short distances flying is getting to be more of a pain than it's worth.

Some say that having different procedures at different times in different places makes it harder for the bad guys to know what to expect.

While I would like to think that the variability reported here is a crafty approach to screening, it seem much more likely to be simply poor training and performance.

Congress critters don't have a clue what goes on in the real world (anymore than the buffoons running TSA - memo to Bart: this excludes you :cool: ). I have gotten nowhere with them via email , faxes, or phone calls to unhelpful staff members.

I already submitted my letter to the editor, but I have not seen anything in the paper.

- Alan

I love this idea.

Bart,

Can you confirm that people who declare a medical condition, prosthetic device, or disability are not required to remove their shoes and will just have an ETD check on their shoes?

From http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ty-update.shtm
and http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...eds/index.shtm

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