They can do both at the same time. Regarding plastic bags, if there is one item, who cares what size the plastic bag is or whether it is even in one as long as the item is the proper size? The bag is designed to limit the amount of liquids/gels a passenger can bring in. It is otherwise unimportant. A single 3oz bottle that is not in a bag should be cleared. That is common sense.

I've had things rejected that were okay according to all of the rules. These items had already passed through many TSA checkpoints including (on a prior trip) the one where I had a problem. Why did I have a problem? Because the TSA made up a new rule on his own. Thus, I have found that the rules are NOT uniformly enforced becuase they are, in fact, not all written down!

And exactly what friggin difference does it make whether it's resealable? The bag in question was a clear (not brown or white) bag like you get at a checkout. It was clearly less than a quart. No need to open it, the 3 toiletries appeared to fit fine inside. The only thing missing was the zip-top. Is that enough for confiscation? Shouldn't be....

Perhaps the person picked up the toiletries on the way to the airport. Perhaps they had no zip locks at home. Who knows. The INTENT of the rule was met. Only a "by the letter of the book" kind of person would support confiscation of these goods under these circumstances. You, apparently, would allow for no discretion when the size and volume constraints were met. Would you also support arrest for someone going one mile over the speed limit.

Most of us here know exactly what the rules are, and we follow them... without regard to our opinion of the rules. Someone who doesn't fly every day should get the benefit of the doubt when the INTENT of the rule is met. Frankly, the amount of time the TSO spent on this person could have been better spent on real threats, not harrassment of a passenger that was trying to comply.

Very well said. This has all been nothing but the waste of our tax money...
This may increase the sense of security in some people, but in fact
this diverts the resources from doing the real security screening...
just to shake down tooth paste, water and lunch from people.

To nobody's surprise, everything is so perfect in your world. Congratulations. You really are perfect. Most of us can only wish to be a fraction of you.


But the reality is that people still don't know about the ever-changing rules. Kip Hawley and his troopers can say it's designed to keep terrorists off-track, whatever.

But the fact of the matter is that 80% of the people in an average plane's load are Ma and Pa Kettle....the folks that can't or don't keep up with the TSA rhetoric.

Some TSAers like to point out signs informing them of procedure. Last week, I decided to count how many signs there were at DEN. From the entrance of the priority security line, to where the ID checker is, about 250 feet of walking, there were 22 signs. Ranging from "don't cut under the rope" to the liquid nonsense rules.

Rather than being informative and proactive, the TSA has mastered the "CYA" and "Baffle them with BS" mantras.

Again, congratulations on your pristine existence.