No unmarked bottles?
 

Some weeks ago I posted to the UK & Ireland forum about a run-in I had with a security screener at ACI who tried to tell me that I couldn't take my emergency water ration through security because it was in an unmarked plastic bottle - see

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=678564

I wrote to complain, and had a letter back from the screener's boss telling me I was right and the screener was wrong.

Today I had the same again - at HAM this time. I have taken unmarked bottles through security here on several previous occasions without any problems, this time they were trying to tell me that only bottles with manufacturers' labels are allowed.

I researched the issue last time, after the Alderney incident, and could find no evidence that such a rule exists, but both the screener here and his boss were absolutely insistent that my 60 ml water bottle was illegal (they eventually let me carry it through after I drank the contents)

There was no language issue BTW - I grew up in Germany.

Has anyone else had grief with unmarked bottles?

Edited to add: I was told this is an EU rule - so would be particularly interested to hear from FTers in Europe.

I've had similar issues in the US. The TSA drones tried to tell me that they couldn't tell the size of the bottles just by looking at them (despite the fact that they were smaller than labeled ones that were 3oz). The *supervisor* told me that, "There's no label. There could be acid in there!" :eek: ...as if labeled bottles always carry exactly what the label says. :confused: Of course, they neglected to respond to my letter/complaint. I should also mention that these bottles had been through the same checkpoint many, many times before.

We used the empty unlabeled store-bought bottles for my wife's hair care products that only came in larger sizes. Now we simply refill other bottles. Nowhere in the US rules does it say anything has to be labeled.

TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis told the WSJ (Oct. 12, 2006) that plain plastic toiletry bottles aren't required to be marked with their size or volume.

emphasis mine: gee, isn't being able to spot a liquid ter'wrist that part of their job? :rolleyes:

now as to labeling generic <3.40z bottles, you are absolutely correct as you don't have to label anything. i'd politely tell them pound sand (tho for one's own personal safety in avoiding any mix up, i personally would label the bottles)

We knew what they were based on color. That wasn't the issue. You can read the whole dreary story here.

Update
 

Did more research after I got home, this time on German web sites including government ones. As expected found nothing to support the screener's view that unmarked bottles are not allowed.

To make absolutely sure I then contacted the German Ministry for the Interior (using their webform) - just had a reply confirming unmarked bottles are NOT prohibited.

Found out something very interesting in the course of my research: The EU version of the liquid ban is laid down in EU regulation 1546/2006. I tried to find the full wording of that regulation and it's nowhere to be found. Reason: It's deemed to be secret!

No wonder there is so much uncertainty and confusion if the full rules aren't published anywhere!

My 100 ml unmarked bottles are labeled. With labels of my own making - can you say MS-Word and Avery labels? I knew you could.

El Cochinito Shampoo.
El Cochinito Lotion.
El Cochinito Mouthwash.
El Cochinito Conditioner.

Never a second glance by the TSAers.

I should start a product line...

"Endorsed by Kip Hawley himself!"

I LOVE IT!!!! ^