Summer means it's time for those family vacations. With recent changes in the Transportation Security Administration policy, packing items, particularly for carry-on luggage, can be confusing.
SHORT TRIPS
For short trips in which a passenger may only have a carry-on, the TSA recommends remembering 3-1-1: 3-ounce bottle or less (by volume) for liquid, gel or aerosol items, such as shampoo, lotion and contact solution; one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to store all liquid items; and one bag per passenger to be placed in the screening bin.
Following 3-1-1 will help X-ray screening lines move quicker, as it limits the amount of time TSA personnel need to take to search baggage.
Should a passenger require larger quantities of liquids, they should be declared at the checkpoint for inspection. Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in a zip-top bag.
When in doubt, leave the items in checked baggage.
ITEMS ALLOWED FOR CARRY-ON
Items that can be included in carry-on bags:
* Walking canes and umbrellas.
* Nail clippers that do not have an attached nail file.
* Safety and disposable razors.
* Syringes with documented proof of medical need.
* Tweezers and eyelash curlers.
* Electric wheelchairs, in accordance with airline requirements.
PROHIBITED ITEMS FOR CARRY-ON
The following items must be transported in checked baggage, or the items will be confiscated at the check point:
* Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, toy guns, bow and arrows, billy clubs, blackjacks, brass knuckles, bull whips, cattle prods, crow bars, hammers, kubatons, martial arts devices, gunpowder, mace, tear gas and pepper spray are forbidden. Unloaded firearms may be transported in checked baggage if declared at check-in and packed in a locked container. Boxed small arms ammunition for personal use may be transported in checked baggage. Amounts vary by airline.
* Knives
* Some sports equipment, including hockey sticks, golf clubs, baseball bats, etc.
* Household items
* Pressure containers
* Other hazardous materials, such as gas-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, poisons, infectious substances and dry ice.
PROHIBITED ITEMS FOR CARRY-ON AND CHECKED BAGS
* Fireworks.
* Flammable items.
MORE INFORMATION
The TSA has a comprehensive list of specific items on its Web site at www.tsa.gov.
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