October 3, 2009 Liquid ban will linger
… and watch it with that powder. The WSJ Middle Seat reports that the liquid ban will remain for at least another year and that certain powders are now being targeted for screening as possible explosive materials. I never believed the conjecture that the 3-1-1 regs would fade away this year. Nor do I believe that new scanning technology will lead to a 3-1-1 rollback one year from now (as the WSJ post mentions). Government regulations, like taxes, are easy to implement and almost impossible to get rid of.
About the powder:
“Officers will use X-ray technology to determine which substances may require additional screening’’ with a powder test kit, Ms. Payne says. For security reasons, she declined to say how that happens.
If a powder is considered suspicious, TSA uses a test kit that takes a small sample and screens it for dangerous substances.
TSA says the vast majority of commonly carried powders, like most medication, infant formula and makeup are unlikely to need further screening. Let’s hope we don’t get hit with a lot of “false positives,” sending people to secondary screening for their foot powder. - WSJ
Reader Comments (5)
Government regulations, like taxes, are easy to implement and almost impossible to get rid of.
They did eventually get rid of those silly questions about whether you packed your bags yourself and whether they had been with you at all times, etc. I'm not sure when that was, or why. I recently flew out of Dublin and they still ask them there. Interestingly, they didn't make you take off your shoes, which was nice.
To avoid liquids I have converted to powders for all products. I have been questioned on these and advise that you keep the powders/medications in original packaging to ease the explanation proccess. A small container of Travelon Powdered toothpaste substute is easer to justify than a small ziplock bag of white powder. Over the years I have learned how to adapt to whatever systems are in place to make my life easier instead of becoming irritated attempting to understand why. This is a trial and error process with success being no hassles. If a product or item routinely creates an inspection or hand search it is removed from my bag and an alternative found.
Right, I'll leave the aloe & lavender cornstarch baby talc at home then.
Fortunately when I converted my make up from liquids / gels to solid form, none of it is powder.
I converted from toothpaste to dental powder but it's in a tiny bottle and labelled, also mint flavoured and smells minty. If any explosive powders smell minty then I'm in trouble......perhaps I'll pack those teeth cleaning sponge things instead, (I've forgotten their name) for the flights and buy a small tube of paste when I arrive.
I've started carrying only toothpaste and a half bar of Ivory soap. The ivory soap serves as soap, shampoo and laundry detergent. I wish US hotels would provide toothbrushes and toothpaste like Asian hotels do. That would make life so much easier.
Asking the "who packed questions" is not silly. It actually stopped a bombing of a plane taking off from Ireland. A naive lady had her "boyfriend" pack, and he (unknowingly to her) opted to include an explosive device. She disclosed this while answering those questions. Not stupid questions at all.