By the time this question came to the top of the "to answer" list, the rules had relaxed somewhat. But there are still a heap of regulations governing what you can and can't take on board a plane, so we'll give you the current state of play.
It was Aug. 10 of this year (2006) that a terrorist plot to detonate explosives on as many as 10 passenger planes bound for the U.S. was uncovered in the UK. It's believed that the plotters planned to mix a British sports drink with a gel-like peroxide-based substance to make a potent explosive that could be carried onto the planes in hand baggage and ignited with an electronic device such as an MP3 player or cell phone.
News of the plot immediately prompted rigid new carry-on rules at airports worldwide, including a ban that applied not only to any liquids (including perfume, toothpaste, and deodorant) in hand baggage but also to drinks. Mothers were asked to taste their babies' milk before it could be taken onto flights and any beverages were taken from passengers before they could board their plane. A member of HP staff who absentmindedly attempted to board a flight with a bottle of water was approached by two TSA agents, who instructed her to empty the bottle immediately or face a fine of up to $1,500. The airline would apparently have risked an additional $25,000 penalty had she been permitted to board with the drink. A contact who works as ground staff at McCarran reported female passengers becoming irate when their $50 mascaras and high-end lip glosses were confiscated, and apparently even sealed sachets of Taco Bell hot sauce and ketchup packets from Burger King were not allowed. Passengers fitted with colostomy bags were required to empty them before boarding.
Fortunately, by Sept. 26 things had calmed down a little, and the TSA adjusted its ban on liquids, aerosols, and gels. Here's the current official word from the TSA Web site: "Travelers are now permitted to carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (three ounces or less) that fit comfortably in one quart-size clear plastic, zip-top bag. After clearing security, passengers can now bring beverages and other items [e.g., Duty Free perfumes and liquor, coffee, and sodas] purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft. At the checkpoint, travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items. In addition, larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared at the checkpoint for additional screening."
Other permitted items specifically listed on the TSA flight include bone marrow, transplant organs, eye drops, KY jelly, prosthetic breasts and gel-padded bras, cuticle cutters, corkscrews (really?), eyelash curlers, crochet needles, toothpaste, deodorant, and toy Transformer robots (phew!). Sabers, meat cleavers, and cattle prods thankfully remain absolute no-nos, as do whipped cream, Jell-O, and pudding. What a bizarre and scary world we inhabit these days.
For the complete list of permitted and prohibited items, click here.
