Definition of "zip-top" bag??
Oct 27, 2006, 12:16 pm
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington DC USA
Posts: 2,571
Definition of "zip-top" bag??
I am about to try to carry on for the first time since the new Kip Zip Freedom Policy was implemented, and I want to make sure I don't mess things up.
The relevant page of the TSA website says I have to have a "zip-top" plastic bag. As a counterexample, it says I cannot have a "foldover sandwich bag".
The photo on the TSA web page shows a zip-top bag of a particular type. I don't have one of those, but I do have one of these (quart sized of course) which clearly is not a "foldover sandwich bag".
Am I OK, or do I have to make a trip to the store to protect myself from the terrorists?
The relevant page of the TSA website says I have to have a "zip-top" plastic bag. As a counterexample, it says I cannot have a "foldover sandwich bag".
The photo on the TSA web page shows a zip-top bag of a particular type. I don't have one of those, but I do have one of these (quart sized of course) which clearly is not a "foldover sandwich bag".
Am I OK, or do I have to make a trip to the store to protect myself from the terrorists?
Oct 27, 2006, 12:22 pm
#3
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Originally Posted by crhptic
I do have one of these (quart sized of course) which clearly is not a "foldover sandwich bag".
I am using just plain old Ziploc use-your-thumb-and-finger to slide it closed, as opposed to the type with the plastic tab shown on the TSA site, and I have never been refused baggie passage even when openly declaring it.
Oct 27, 2006, 12:29 pm
#4
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I think that is may either have an actual zipper or may have a lip that can be hand shut.
It must only be a quart size (no gallons or the TSA employees might go postal on you) and everything must fit in it comfortably. It really does not leave a lot of room so I would suggest hitting small items like lip balm in shoes or socks and taking out items like toothbrushes and floss and leaving separate in your bag.
The type of scrunity over items varies from airport to airport. In JFK and ORD the TSA morons are like vultures looking for road kill. In other airports such as AUS and EWR you could probably put a 64 ounze bottle of shampoo from Costco in your carry on and get away with it.
It must only be a quart size (no gallons or the TSA employees might go postal on you) and everything must fit in it comfortably. It really does not leave a lot of room so I would suggest hitting small items like lip balm in shoes or socks and taking out items like toothbrushes and floss and leaving separate in your bag.
The type of scrunity over items varies from airport to airport. In JFK and ORD the TSA morons are like vultures looking for road kill. In other airports such as AUS and EWR you could probably put a 64 ounze bottle of shampoo from Costco in your carry on and get away with it.
Oct 27, 2006, 12:54 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SJC
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Posts: 414
Originally Posted by newyorkgeorge
and everything must fit in it comfortably.
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/..._guidance.shtm
No longer mentions "comfort".
Also they have a really cool graphic now that explains EVERYTHING. Come on, everyone, let's sing the "3-1-1 on Air Travel" song. Gag.
http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/311.pdf
Nov 7, 2006, 4:25 pm
#7
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does any one have the -complete fine print- defining the "zip top bag"
I have been using the same bag since the inception of this new rule until tonight in Boston (terminal c)
The bag I use is :
-clear (perfectly transparent)
-it is made of plastic, (it's flexible, it's not hard)
-it's quart size (it's rectangular , not square shaped),
-it has a zip on top
-it is not a freezer/food type bag (think of it as a transparent pouch
see http://www.containerstore.com/browse...2&PRODID=63319 )
When it went through the xray (in plain view on top of my coat) the TSA agent picked it up and told me that:
"next time you need to have a zip-top bag"
to which I responded by looking puzzled ....
which triggered the additionnal statement ....
"it needs to be a zip-top bag, sir, there is a reason for that ..."
To which I didn't reply.... although while I was picking my stuff down the line I asked another TSA agent about what was wrong about my plastic bag (still in plain view) .... I made it clear I was just looking for an explanation , not arguing ... to which the only thing he had to say was "I don't make the rules, how do you know it's quart size bag"
(which I answered by "because that's what was on the sticker when I bought it for this purpose")
Again before I risk an opinion / comment about this what I am looking for is the official set of fine print specifying the "bag" .....
The only thing I can find on the TSA web site is :
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
Anyone out there knows anything else ?
Any specification on plastic material ? thickness ? metal/plastic zipper ?
Thanks !
The bag I use is :
-clear (perfectly transparent)
-it is made of plastic, (it's flexible, it's not hard)
-it's quart size (it's rectangular , not square shaped),
-it has a zip on top
-it is not a freezer/food type bag (think of it as a transparent pouch
see http://www.containerstore.com/browse...2&PRODID=63319 )
When it went through the xray (in plain view on top of my coat) the TSA agent picked it up and told me that:
"next time you need to have a zip-top bag"
to which I responded by looking puzzled ....
which triggered the additionnal statement ....
"it needs to be a zip-top bag, sir, there is a reason for that ..."
To which I didn't reply.... although while I was picking my stuff down the line I asked another TSA agent about what was wrong about my plastic bag (still in plain view) .... I made it clear I was just looking for an explanation , not arguing ... to which the only thing he had to say was "I don't make the rules, how do you know it's quart size bag"
(which I answered by "because that's what was on the sticker when I bought it for this purpose")
Again before I risk an opinion / comment about this what I am looking for is the official set of fine print specifying the "bag" .....
The only thing I can find on the TSA web site is :
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
Anyone out there knows anything else ?
Any specification on plastic material ? thickness ? metal/plastic zipper ?
Thanks !
Nov 7, 2006, 9:27 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 264
Originally Posted by newyorkgeorge
I think that is may either have an actual zipper or may have a lip that can be hand shut.
It must only be a quart size (no gallons or the TSA employees might go postal on you) and everything must fit in it comfortably. It really does not leave a lot of room so I would suggest hitting small items like lip balm in shoes or socks and taking out items like toothbrushes and floss and leaving separate in your bag.
The type of scrunity over items varies from airport to airport. In JFK and ORD the TSA morons are like vultures looking for road kill. In other airports such as AUS and EWR you could probably put a 64 ounze bottle of shampoo from Costco in your carry on and get away with it.
It must only be a quart size (no gallons or the TSA employees might go postal on you) and everything must fit in it comfortably. It really does not leave a lot of room so I would suggest hitting small items like lip balm in shoes or socks and taking out items like toothbrushes and floss and leaving separate in your bag.
The type of scrunity over items varies from airport to airport. In JFK and ORD the TSA morons are like vultures looking for road kill. In other airports such as AUS and EWR you could probably put a 64 ounze bottle of shampoo from Costco in your carry on and get away with it.
We can see items even when placed into shoes, socks, etc...
Nov 7, 2006, 9:30 pm
#9
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It's a sad state of affairs when we have to discuss the kind of plastic bag that the TSA will or will not allow. 
Nov 7, 2006, 9:31 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by whatsinyourbag
I would assume that you meant hiding and not hitting...
We can see items even when placed into shoes, socks, etc...
We can see items even when placed into shoes, socks, etc...
Nov 8, 2006, 5:03 am
#11
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Posts: 4,953
Originally Posted by whatsinyourbag
I would assume that you meant hiding and not hitting...
We can see items even when placed into shoes, socks, etc...
We can see items even when placed into shoes, socks, etc...
If your statement is true, why is it that the screeners at EWR were not able to find items hidden in carry-ons?
Methinks you live in the screener world as you would like it to be, not as it is.
Nov 8, 2006, 6:33 am
#12
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Originally Posted by pbr6891
I have been using the same bag since the inception of this new rule until tonight in Boston (terminal c)
The bag I use is :
-clear (perfectly transparent)
-it is made of plastic, (it's flexible, it's not hard)
-it's quart size (it's rectangular , not square shaped),
-it has a zip on top
-it is not a freezer/food type bag (think of it as a transparent pouch
see http://www.containerstore.com/browse...2&PRODID=63319 )
When it went through the xray (in plain view on top of my coat) the TSA agent picked it up and told me that:
"next time you need to have a zip-top bag"
to which I responded by looking puzzled ....
which triggered the additionnal statement ....
"it needs to be a zip-top bag, sir, there is a reason for that ..."
To which I didn't reply.... although while I was picking my stuff down the line I asked another TSA agent about what was wrong about my plastic bag (still in plain view) .... I made it clear I was just looking for an explanation , not arguing ... to which the only thing he had to say was "I don't make the rules, how do you know it's quart size bag"
(which I answered by "because that's what was on the sticker when I bought it for this purpose")
Again before I risk an opinion / comment about this what I am looking for is the official set of fine print specifying the "bag" .....
The only thing I can find on the TSA web site is :
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
Anyone out there knows anything else ?
Any specification on plastic material ? thickness ? metal/plastic zipper ?
Thanks !
The bag I use is :
-clear (perfectly transparent)
-it is made of plastic, (it's flexible, it's not hard)
-it's quart size (it's rectangular , not square shaped),
-it has a zip on top
-it is not a freezer/food type bag (think of it as a transparent pouch
see http://www.containerstore.com/browse...2&PRODID=63319 )
When it went through the xray (in plain view on top of my coat) the TSA agent picked it up and told me that:
"next time you need to have a zip-top bag"
to which I responded by looking puzzled ....
which triggered the additionnal statement ....
"it needs to be a zip-top bag, sir, there is a reason for that ..."
To which I didn't reply.... although while I was picking my stuff down the line I asked another TSA agent about what was wrong about my plastic bag (still in plain view) .... I made it clear I was just looking for an explanation , not arguing ... to which the only thing he had to say was "I don't make the rules, how do you know it's quart size bag"
(which I answered by "because that's what was on the sticker when I bought it for this purpose")
Again before I risk an opinion / comment about this what I am looking for is the official set of fine print specifying the "bag" .....
The only thing I can find on the TSA web site is :
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
Anyone out there knows anything else ?
Any specification on plastic material ? thickness ? metal/plastic zipper ?
Thanks !
Nov 8, 2006, 6:57 am
#13
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No uniformity
Unless going to/from Europe.
The TSA Official Approved Baggie picture shows a 7.5 by 8 inch Kip Zip.
The BA link shows the new EU Approved Baugie to be 8 by 8 inches.
Will TSA declare "Osama B.L might be hiding in that extra half inch" and confiscate all those liter size quart baggies?
The TSA Official Approved Baggie picture shows a 7.5 by 8 inch Kip Zip.
The BA link shows the new EU Approved Baugie to be 8 by 8 inches.
Will TSA declare "Osama B.L might be hiding in that extra half inch" and confiscate all those liter size quart baggies?
Nov 8, 2006, 7:13 am
#14
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Originally Posted by Flaflyer
Unless going to/from Europe.
The TSA Official Approved Baggie picture shows a 7.5 by 8 inch Kip Zip.
The BA link shows the new EU Approved Baugie to be 8 by 8 inches.
Will TSA declare "Osama B.L might be hiding in that extra half inch" and confiscate all those liter size quart baggies?
The TSA Official Approved Baggie picture shows a 7.5 by 8 inch Kip Zip.
The BA link shows the new EU Approved Baugie to be 8 by 8 inches.
Will TSA declare "Osama B.L might be hiding in that extra half inch" and confiscate all those liter size quart baggies?
The item that will cause a bigger problem is the regulatory incongruity in maximum liquid-/gel-filled container size.
Nov 8, 2006, 11:43 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: somewhere under the rainbow
Posts: 296
Originally Posted by crhptic
The relevant page of the TSA website says I have to have a "zip-top" plastic bag. As a counterexample, it says I cannot have a "foldover sandwich bag".
Last edited by MichaelCharlie; Nov 8, 2006 at 12:08 pm Reason: something fouled while posting...