On average, 2x/week, I run across an organization, (~45,000 employees I believe) where the leadershio was so paranoid about a group of inept amateur terrorists that they disposed of (or never actually understood) all recent knowledge of chemistry and physics, and concluded that they could prevent all future on-board explosives by keeping all liquids brought on the plane (by passengers only) below an arbitrary amount. All 45,000 employees enforce this junk dogma with minimal exceptions, at significant expense to the travelling public.
The original amateur terrorists were acquitted of most charges and all charges involving aircraft, but the delusionary policy continues in the face of clear scientific and logical evidence that preventing explosives on planes by micromanaging an irrelevant factor, one of the states of matter, is misguided and counterproductive.
I'm always disgusted by how easily and widely lies and deception can spread throughout a government organization and then be used to punish and harm the very public that funds and should be able to influence and manage that organization.

Veering away from the subject a bit, I saw for the first time a sign with maximum container size of 3.4. at STL airport. I didn't understand, so I Googled and found this web site.

Does anyone know where 100 ml size containers of toothpaste, shampoo and shaving cream can be found? I know smaller sizes exist, I have them already, but if 100 ml is a standard size outside the US, they're probably available via the web. And is there an official posted guideline on the 100 ml volume (tsa.gov?) that I can print out and carry if I need to convince a TSO or supervisor?

You might be interested in this thread and the link to the TSA PV. Welcome to FlyerTalk, Victorbast!

I found the official TSA guideline: 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume). http://www.tsa.gov/311/

Still looking for a place I can buy that size toothpaste and shaving cream.

Here in Canada, a "standard" toothpaste is 75ml. The Body Shop's shaving cream very is nice, and the 100ml tube a perfect size for the job.

If it weren't for the fact it's classed as dangerous goods I'd love to take a vial of Caesium on board..... " Now it's a liquid, now it's a solid ) "

Failing that I will nip into the lab tomorrow and try and find something with a Triple Point around room temperature, and then place it in a pressurized container at it's TP. That would mess with their heads. " Now it's a solid, now a liquid, now a gas"

Um, I usually find them next to the sink every time I check into a hotel...

I've also seen in various travel shops packs of 100ml bottles packed inside a transparent l liter bag, so you can put what you want in (shampoo, toothpaste, whatever) and have it all ready to go.

But in any case, most shops do sell 100ml bottles of most products.

Reviving a recent, but old thread:

Last Monday I was flying through Denver, and I had my toothpaste confiscated because it was heavier than 3 oz. (we know that the restriction should be about volume, but it has ended up being about weight). I had a problem with this for two reasons. First, the TSO removed the toothpaste from the bin and handled it without gloves and without my permission. The other problem I have is that I consider this toothpaste to be an OTC medication.

I have sensitive teeth, and I use Sensodyne, which has, along with fluoride, potassium nitrate, to desensitize the teeth. The TSO, lead officer, and supervisor all said that all toothpaste has fluoride, so that is not an OTC medication. They also said that I would need a prescription to bring it through.

I tried logic:

1) It's an OTC medication, prescription is not required. I don't have a prescription for my 5 OZ bottle of contact lens cleaner.

2) It contains two drugs, here is a printout of an FDA presentation stating fluoridated toothpaste is a medication.

Reply: Doesn't apply to toothpaste. My problem is that I cannot find this product in "allowable" sizes, and this is the third time this has happened to me. Usually I get it through, but since I fly a minimum of twice a week, it is quickly becoming a big problem.

Denver is the biggest issue. Is there someone I can complain to that is Denver specific? I have already written my Congress person as well as the American Dental Association.

Thanks

Edited to Add:

The most responsive party in all of this is Glaxo Smithkline, the manufacturer of Sensodyne. They contacted me almost immediately by email to set up a call to get the facts. They, not surprisingly, seem to have an interest in letting TSA know not to hassle their customers.

I had the same problem and solved it by injecting Sensodyne in to an empty, clean, small tube of Colgate. Worked like a charm and I can now carry Sensodyne on the plane.

That's, unfortunately, a good idea.

There is a line from the movie xXx, where Vin Diesel says, "The things I'm gonna do for my country." Seems applicable here.

Just put it in your pocket.

In case someone missed this:

Liquids
Pastes
Gels
Aerosol�s
Lotions

More than 3.4 ounces / 100ml.

No one is arguing this. What I am asking is regarding rules for MEDICATIONS.

Toothpaste is a MEDICATION if it contains fluoride. What, exactly, does your post contribute to conversation?

Well, my post does not split hairs, if that helps.

Actually, fluoride is a generic term for quite a number of compounds ranging from halide to sulfur tetrafluoride. So the reality is that fluoride is not a medication but a chemical additive, just as vitamin D is to most milk now days. This does not make milk a medicine, nor does fluoride make toothpaste a medicine.

I hope that helps your understanding a bit.

Not trying to split hairs, and my understanding is fine. I know fluoridated toothpaste should be allowed (mine has sodium monofluorophosphate). The post was asking which entity to complain to because TSA made a mistake.

Hope that helps.