An interesting overview of the carry-on liquid conundrum from twincities.com/The Pioneer Press:
But by next year, (TSA Administrator Kip) Hawley expects size restrictions to be lifted because of new technology. By the end of 2010, he anticipates all liquid, gel and spray restrictions will be lifted. Until then, liquids, gels and sprays in packaging larger than 3 ounces are thrown into garbage cans, which are collected by the airport’s regular trash hauler. If it’s an alcoholic beverage, the liquid is poured out. On pain of firing, TSA employees are forbidden to filch items out of the trash, TSA spokeswoman Andrea McCauley said.
If you’ve got just a bit of perfume left in a too-big bottle, a TSA employee has the discretion to bend the rule and let you take it through, McCauley said (didn’t know this - Brad). You can’t count on that, but you do have options other than surrendering the item. You can return it to your car; take it to your airline agent and ask that your checked baggage be retrieved so you can put it in there; or mail it back to yourself.
Filching forbidden, alcohol poured out? Right.