Solid ones are a single piece, with a plastic screw stick through the center to advance the remaining deodorant forward as necessary.
Gel ones have a solid plastic "grid" at the top; the gel oozes through there when the deodorant-advance mechanism is deployed.

For example, and this is strictly an example and NOT an indication of any real changes, I am using this to illustrate as an example of how these changes may occur: a tube of Desenex may be allowed if the passenger is flying with infant in arms and all of the usual baby-carrying paraphernalia. However, a passenger who has a tube of Desenex but isn't flying with an infant may be offered the option of either packing that tube in checked luggage or abandoning it at the checkpoint. In one case, it's obvious that a baby in diapers with a rash will require this sort of medication, whereas the passenger traveling without an infant may not.


Thanks for all your informative posts, Bart. Please note, however, that Desenex is for those of us who've contracted athletes foot from walking barefoot through the checkpoints. It's Desitin that's for the baby's behind.

Allow me to explain a little more on this. I was looking back a while ago at possibly using the health code as a way to shut down the shoe carnival. I had figured that if there was a violation of a state's health code by requiring people to go barefoot, then in order for the shoe carnival to last, it would require specific legislation to be enacted either on the state or federal level to reverse the health code violaion. In essence I was hoping that I could get the health departments to order an end to the "unsanitary" condition.

Well researching though every states health code and a number of websites dedicated to people who like to walk barefoot, I discovered that there is no state health department requlation requiring that persons wear shoes anywhere. The only place where shoes are required by code is in the food service industry and the regulation only applies to the staff and not the patrons.

Many establishments, both public and private, however, require that their patrons wear shoes. This requirement does not come from any official legal statutes, but comes from internal policies or regulations. So in your case the requiring of shoes in public buildings most likely comes from internal policy, (the policy itself may come from the health department). If it came from force of law then it would extend to private establishments as well. So at the checkpoint all that is required is a minor change of internal policy to permit barefeet at the checkpoint.

Bart... Thanks for all you've been giving back to us and helping us understand the changes that are happening everyday....

Question on shoes... my girlfriend usually wears beach flip-flops and we are travelling this weekend... will she have to take them off or are those allowed through the WTMD ?

Appreciate the feedback...

Went throught the puffer two weeks ago, my first time, and shoes did not have to be removed.

But that was two weeks ago. Doesn't count. Sorry.

Exactly. I've actually begun to enjoy flying out of DEN lately with the puffers there.

Until "Black Thursday."

Question still stands: does anyone know if puffer usage still exempts one from the shoe nonsense?

Deleted

Any mention of screeners that may be saying to themselves "I'll just let that go" (i.e., this ban is so stupid and I really don't think this object/person is a threat to the plane) when it comes to liquids/gels that are techincally banned now?

Deleted

Bart - do people have the option of sitting down and removing their shoes and not having to walk on those disgusting floors?

Not trying to hijack the thread but I can resist commenting on the barefeet thing.
Maybe it doesn't directly come from legal statutes but it does come indirectly. I doubt seriously if 7-11 is such a classy place that they don't want patrons having to suffer from seeing others without shoes or shirts. Their liablility carriers demand that they post the "no shirt no shoes no service" sign. If the business does not comply then the insurance carrier drops their coverage and notifies the state. Then the sheriff comes and locks the door because the law says that to have a business license there has to be liability coverage.

So indirectly the "shoes required" rule is actually a "shoes required for insurance purposes" policy that is enforced by tax-dollar-paid law enforcement officers.

Hello all! I'm new to Flyertalk and have been greatly encouraged by the overwhelming logic and outrage demonstrated by most people here regarding the new airline security policies. After reading other boards I was starting to think maybe I was the only one to think that TSA has once again gone mad.

Unfortunately, I don't see the mandatory shoe x-ray policy changing in the foreseeable future. I used to carry flip-flops to wear through screening because I too have concerns about hygiene. Now, I've ordered a box of those paper foot covers that surgeons wear to put over my socks - then throw away after I put my shoes back on. Likewise, I've ordered powdered toothpaste, powdered mouthwash, tiny, single-use eyedrop vials and water purification tablets. I am currently trying to figure out how to "smuggle" onboard a small amount of hand lotion and anti-bacterial gel.

Many I've seen on other boards like Fodors ask what the big deal is to simply check toiletries and reclaim them after the flight. For me, the issue is to have the toiletries to see to my health and hygiene during the flight - surprising how many people miss this point. Makes me wonder about their hygiene.

Anyone have any experiences to share regarding perscription OTC meds like Afrin? That's a necessity for me when I fly if I want to breathe - my doctor will write a perscription but I'm concerned that my ability to breathe will be arbitrarily determined by some TSA agent on a power trip.

As far as the policies themselves are concerned, may I suggest that anyone who is concerned about the current restrictionscomplain rigorously to the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security? Both have the "Contact Us" forms on their website - I've already sent my missives to both, not that I expect a response. But both of these agencies are - ultimately - run by politicians, so public opinion does count. In the meantime, money talks. If airlines feel the pinch you can bet they'll put pressure on TSA as well.

I am an American who works in Rome part off the year. I'm stuck on an airplane this fall, but in the spring I'm looking at transatlantic oceanliners. Not an option for everyone, I know, but if you have the time it may be an alternative...

Thanks to all for your input and opinions...a wonderful site with wonderful people!

Welcome to Flyertalk.

I wouldn't get your hopes up about ship travel; by next Spring, the Queen Mary II might feature the same insanity we see at the airports.

Deleted