Ziplocks inside ziplock in carry-on?
 

My wife is flying home for a few days for her sister's wedding, and as such, she wants to look very nice. Which means many lotions, shampoos, make-up item, hair products, etc. We're having a tough time fitting all of these little bottles inside the 1 quart ziplock bag that the TSA requires.

However, a thought occurred to us. We have tiny pill bags (1 oz ziplock style bags) that would be perfect for freeing some space. They would fit into tiny spaces between bottles, wouldn't hold more than she needed, and are less than the 3.4 oz requirement. But...

We're not sure if the TSA would allow it. Can anyone shed light on this? Has someone tried this before and been allowed or denied? Any TSO's out there who would share a professional opinion on the matter? Any help would be appreciated, so we can plan on how she needs to pack.

Probably not a problem, but you mentioned the 1 quart ziplock bag. Are you talking about the kind with the little plastic ziploc (lots of us use the ones that re-seal by pressing the two sides together). I ask because either is acceptable, but I find you get a bit more room with the kind (more expensive) that actually have a little sliding grip.

Thank you for the reply, but the TSA actually responded to my inquiry! Surprising...

They said that any kind of container is acceptable, as long as it fits comfortably in the 1 quart bag. Speaking of which, I noticed the same thing as you, and use the one with the sliding sealer.

Not entirely sure where you are going with that. Are you talking about filling little one ounce bags with the shampoos and the like?

If so, then officially you can fill your 1 quart sized baggie with whatever you like, as long as it is closeable when filled. None of the individual items inside can have a volume greater than 3.4 ounces (100ml) though. So if you want to fill the empty spaces with bubblegum you are more than welcome to do so.

Only liquid makeup needs to be in the bag, powders and cake type items are not restricted (eye shadow, powder or cake style foundation, etc).

I hope that helps!

My wife uses alot of zip lock bags and plastic bags to compartamentalize the luggage belongings.. never a problem when we travel.. checked bags or carryons..

That's nice. It has no relevance to what the OP is asking, however.

OP, my concern would be leakage from those small bags. Can you wife consider sample packets? Companies such as l'Occitane and Sephora offer up a wide range of products in flat sample sizes which can range from usually 1-3 applications. Packing some of those in the litre/quart size back helps. And as Ron said, only the liquid/gel items need to be in the bag (I often see readers who think that means all makeup including powder items, which is not the case)

If she is going for more than a few days, or really needs certain items, it may be time to consider checking a bag. Best of luck! (I can actually go a week with what is in my liquids bag, and I have to include my contact lens fluid in that bag as well as I don't always fly from/through the US.)

For the TSOs who post, what about size labels on those small bags? In past we have read many times of people who had their items confiscated if there was no size labelled on the container, and I have witnessed that myself several times in the US.

If it's her sister's wedding and it's important to her, why not just Fedex all of the stuff ahead and not worry about it at all. On the return, she can even use Fedex Ground / 3-Day presuming that it's not important how long it takes to get back.

Ziplocks inside ziplocks, types of sips that allow more to be fit inside, samples, FedEx, goodness me! Look at what lengths a poor human must go to travel with innocent toiletries of choice these days, all because of the ludicrous fixation on the liquid state of matter.

Just because the bag says it's one quart, doesn't mean it's one quart. Some are larger, which could hold more.

A Glad Quart Storage bag holds over five cups and still closes, giving you 25% more room.

Shop around, some may be even larger.

And before we start another discussion on why they label them a quart bag when they hold more, that's something you need to take up with them, I don't know why they do that.

I doubt that many people use Fedex to avoid security. Most people I know use it to avoid the hastle of travel in general. No need to check bags, lug stuff and be burdened whether on business or leisure. It's there and waiting for you when you get to your destination and the dirty clothes or work papers you don't need, arrive home without your effort.

High end hotels will, if you let them know what's in the package, unpack the clothes, press and hang them for you so you don't even have to unpack when you get there.

OK, I'll admit it, I'm actually shocked your wife if flying for her sister's wedding with just a carry on :p

Another vote for fedex or check a bag if it's a non stop
 

Especially with makeup - any facial products - the risk of contamination placing them in small ziplock bags, getting your fingers all over the make up etc. would make it much less appealing as a strategy.

Well, for some of us folks that travel on our own nickel, don't have the kind of budgets that support stays at high end hotels, or travel outside the country, Fedex isn't really a viable option.

And for me and most of the people I know, security is the single most consistent hassle factor in travelling, in part because of the 'unknowns'.

I can research type of plane, overhead bins, airport layouts, pack and weigh my bags ahead of time so I know how convenient they are/aren't to haul around, research plane fares and hotels and cars and add-ons, taxes and extras. Other than mechanicals or weather, there aren't usually any significant surprises.

Security? I never know what to expect. Most recently, I found out (after many years), that you are not allowed to take two pairs of nail clippers through security, so I had to 'surrender' both of them.

I've managed to accumulate many tiny containers by reusing hotel shampoo bottles, sample size jars, etc. that are smaller than the travel bottles sold for the purpose. That way I've been able to fit all my makeup wet and dry, hair stuff, nail stuff, face cream...the entire kit fits in the quart slider bag. But I'm glad to have a new idea, the tiny plastic bags.

Isn't it an issue to bring the liquids through security? Definitely an issue in our travels to keep in mind..

OP, How about checking the liquids through in baggage.. bring a bag and check it.. I'm sure some stuff would probably be nice to transport as part of the occasion..