Is toothpaste a paste or a liquid?
Mar 2, 2009 | 9:19 pm
#1
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Is toothpaste a paste or a liquid?
I have been travelling in the US for over a year with a 4.2oz tube of toothpaste (not gel) in my carryon (not in the the 1 quart bag) with no problem. The other morning my bag got pulled off the xray line for toothpaste detected on the machine. The tube clearly state "paste" not "gel" but I was told that it was not allowed. Further more the TSA agent told me that "anything in a squeezeable container greater than 3oz was a no no!"
When did this new rule arrive. The web, the placards in the airport, etc, all prohibit liquids, gels, and aerosols, not pastes! There are some countries that specifically state "No Pastes" right on their signs but I have never seen this in the US.
When did this new rule arrive. The web, the placards in the airport, etc, all prohibit liquids, gels, and aerosols, not pastes! There are some countries that specifically state "No Pastes" right on their signs but I have never seen this in the US.
Mar 2, 2009 | 9:22 pm
#2
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Gasses and plasmas aren't on the signs either, but they aren't solid.
Mar 2, 2009 | 9:27 pm
#3
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I have been travelling in the US for over a year with a 4.2oz tube of toothpaste (not gel) in my carryon (not in the the 1 quart bag) with no problem. The other morning my bag got pulled off the xray line for toothpaste detected on the machine. The tube clearly state "paste" not "gel" but I was told that it was not allowed. Further more the TSA agent told me that "anything in a squeezeable container greater than 3oz was a no no!"
When did this new rule arrive. The web, the placards in the airport, etc, all prohibit liquids, gels, and aerosols, not pastes! There are some countries that specifically state "No Pastes" right on their signs but I have never seen this in the US.
When did this new rule arrive. The web, the placards in the airport, etc, all prohibit liquids, gels, and aerosols, not pastes! There are some countries that specifically state "No Pastes" right on their signs but I have never seen this in the US.
Your 4.2 container was over the limit, hence the involuntary forfeiture.
Next time, try harder to artfully conceal your over-the-limit liquids and gels
Mar 2, 2009 | 10:10 pm
#4
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Posts: 2,716
"Next time, try harder to artfully conceal your over-the-limit liquids and gels "
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
Mar 2, 2009 | 10:35 pm
#5
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Catlett, VA, USA
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"Next time, try harder to artfully conceal your over-the-limit liquids and gels "
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
Mar 2, 2009 | 10:41 pm
#6
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"Next time, try harder to artfully conceal your over-the-limit liquids and gels "
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
I prefer to artfully conceal my dangerous liquids. If it inconveniences you if I get caught, oh well.
Mar 3, 2009 | 11:26 am
#7
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Why is it other countries in the world specify "NO PASTE" when they mean no paste.
Yawn.
I prefer to artfully conceal my dangerous liquids. If it inconveniences you if I get caught, oh well.
I prefer to artfully conceal my dangerous liquids. If it inconveniences you if I get caught, oh well.
People like you are exactly why security lineups go slow. It's general selfishness and lack of consideration for others that causes delays in security.
Mar 5, 2009 | 3:31 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: washington dc
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General, don't be so hard on yourself!
You're not the cause of delays in security! Stoooopid TSA rules are the cause of delays in security.
It's general selfishness and lack of consideration for others that causes delays in security.
Mar 5, 2009 | 5:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 222
I once asked a woman to surrender her water bottle because liquids, gels, creams, and lotions were prohibited. She angrily asked me why her water was not allowed. I told her that water is a liquid. She looked me square in the eye and said "this is water not a liquid". I shook my head apologized then walked away. I'm always surprised how open the rule can be to interpretation.
For the record, I have never met a TSO who indicated to any passenger that toothpaste over 3.4oz is acceptable.
For the record, I have never met a TSO who indicated to any passenger that toothpaste over 3.4oz is acceptable.
Last edited by Crazyace718; Mar 5, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Mar 5, 2009 | 5:57 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Northwest NJ, USA
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What if the toothpase is 1/2 "sqooze out", leaving only 2.1 oz? Do the "rules" specify the original packaged amount, or the amount which is actually there?
Just trying to add a little more fuel to the fire.
DD
Just trying to add a little more fuel to the fire.
DD
Mar 5, 2009 | 6:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 222
Mar 5, 2009 | 6:25 pm
#12
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"Next time, try harder to artfully conceal your over-the-limit liquids and gels "
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
Or you could just be a grown up and ask this question before you get stuck in line and delay the travel of those behind you. It's not as if these rules are new. Over a million miles and you're global services and you seriously need to ask this question?
Only non-FDA regulated toothpastes should be subject to the 100mL limit.
Of course that would be a legitimate application of the rules, so it will never happen.
Mar 5, 2009 | 7:16 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: New York City
Posts: 761
Periodic Table
If I ever have the distinction to work for TSA, I would carry a copy of the Periodic Table in my pocket. Whenever passengers are flummoxed about paste or liquids, I would retrieve it and give a quick discourse in basic chemistry.
Mar 5, 2009 | 11:57 pm
#14
Moderator: The British Airways Club
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I wonder if the same would work with sunscreens in Australia (where it is regulated and requires a licence number) - and I do actually medically require sunscreen use.