I think we can all agree that when bringing a carry-on bag onto a plane, being limited to as many 3.4 ounce or less bottles of liquids, gels, pastes, etc. that you can squish into a 1-quart plastic bags is sometimes inconvenient. As you may recall, I did ask @AskTSA how much longer we’ll continue with the 3-1-1 rules, in light getting scanners that are stronger, better, etc. Their response was not heartening.
According to the horse’s mouth known as the TSA, here is the “official” 3-1-1 liquids rule:
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.
Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening.
They even made a YouTube video to explain it:
Over time we’ve posted hacks people have invented to try to get around the 3-1-1 rule:
- How to get around the 3-1-1 rule & bring more shampoo, soap, etc.
- How to get full sized bottles past security
Several people responded to the posts, both as replies to the posts themselves and in emails to us. A few of them mentioned their own, shall we say, “alternate” ways of how they get through the checkpoint.
Two of the hacks seemed to have been mentioned time and time again. I’ll say right now that both are in gray territory when it comes to following the rules (actually, neither follows the rules, period), and if the TSA officers wanted to pursue “rule following,” they’d definitely have a case against you. Procede with caution and at your own risk.
Carry as much as you want, wherever you want
A few people mentioned they don’t pay attention to the 3-1-1 rule. Many said they don’t keep everything in a quart sized bag and just pack their shampoo, toothpaste, etc., “wherever.” A few said they don’t even bother with the 3.4 ounces limit. All said they’ve “never been stopped.”
Of course, if that were the case, maybe they’ve just been lucky. I know I was stopped when I had a forgotten bottle of perfume in a side zipper of a carry on bag – I’ll never forget what that TSA officer did when she found it.
But since people are officially supposed to have all their stuff in 1 small bag, and it’s all supposed to be containers of 3.1 ounces or less, they’re still putting themselves at risk for their stuff to be searched and the liquids potentially thrown away.
The 2+ bags hack
A handful of people mentioned another hack. They say they’ve put quart sized bags of liquids, gels, etc. in their carry-on AND in their person-sized bag. They say TSA doesn’t know which bag belong to who when they’re going through the scanner, so it’s an easy way to get twice (or even 3 times – put another quart-sized bag in the pocket of the jacket you’re wearing on the plane) as much liquids through.
Of course, you’re officially only supposed to bring one quart-sized bag full of liquids.
Our take on it
Neither of these hacks are things I would do. But I tend to be a rule follower and frankly, I don’t want to put my flight in jeopardy or risk having my stuff get taken away from me. But as the good blog goes, Your Mileage May Vary. You do you, and if you try either of these, it’s at your own risk.
Feature Photo: ME! 😉 / YourMileageMayVary.com
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6 comments
It’s really easy to get two 3-1-1 bags through per person. Just put one bag/tray in between the trays with the 3-1-1 bags and at busy TSA screening checkpoints the TSA likely wouldn’t notice.
It’s not morally gray to ignore a pointless rule so long as you are not bringing prohibited items. It’s more akin to driving 10mph over the speed limit on an empty freeway. However beware of confiscation risk if you plan to transit LHR or FRA where the “rules” are often strictly enforced
This rule is a joke. I don’t think that the TSA really cares too much, except for rogue agents.
My wife has her own hack. She crams whatever she can into her quart-size baggie and then fills MY quart-size baggie with more of her stuff. I get whatever space is left.
Oooooohhh….as a wife, I LIKE that…..LOLOL!
Another less morally gray “hack” is turning your liquids into solids. Freeze your shampoo and stick it in a lunchbox with a freezer pack or two if you’re desperate. You can bring up to 5.5 lbs of dry ice on the major US carriers in your checked bag. Is it reasonable to do this? No. But if you had a liquid that you desperately needed in your carry on, it’s definitely a solution.