Airport Security liquids Bag

[AircraftOperations]

I was told by UK security staff that the bag had to re-sealable for 2 reasons:

Firstly, so a "vapour test" can be performed on the contents if required. (not quite sure about this myself)

Secondly, so liquid items stay together and can be quickly studied on the X-Ray.

Ring any bells?

[hotmetal]

There is no guarantee that any security staff understand the reasons they do anything. I think the reason it had to seal was to stop people stuffing so much it was all falling out of the bag and making a nonsense of the 1L limit on volume for the bag. The vapour reason is becoming the common answer but in 2006 at our check point we had no vapour type checking machines available. As for 'keeping it all together' why does that matter. As the years march on the real reasons for the whole circus are forgotten and myths are repeated so often that they become the new reasons.

[JellyWings]

I ordered one of the SecurityWashbags as recommended - am very pleased with it. Excellent quality and has been accepted thru every airport security I have passed thru so far!

[Businesstraveller]

I came through BHX on Monday and unusually for me, had a shampoo bottle in my luggage (approx. 60ml). Security picked it up (fine), but then insisted on me placing it in a resealable bag to be re-scanned. I pointed out that as I only had 1 liquid item, I saw no need for it to be bagged (on it's own). However, the security Taliban on duty didn't agree. As I know BHX demonstrates it's 'cheap and chearful' credentials by charging 50p for two small plastic bags (what a blatant money making scheme that is!) I decided against contributing towards the BHX Christmas fund and so donated my half empty shampoo bottle to the delightful lady in question - happy days....

[Thames virtual]

I use these from Lakeland Zip-Seal Freezer Bags - Lakeland, the home of creative kitchenware

They hold 1.5 litres (I've just checked with a jug of water). Nobody's complained it's too big, but I don't put a lot in it. They look about the height and width as the ones that were being handed out at Heathrow when I went through earlier this month.

[nicolai]

I used to use plastic wallets with a plastic zip close, like a beefed-up "Ziplock" bag, from office stationery suppliers, but I found that the plastic was not flexible enough and would crack after a few weeks of weekly travel, usually while away - so even though they are cheap, they are too cheap.
I now use this bag from Eagle Creek which is made of a more flexible plastic, and so far no airport security has complained about it and it is showing no signs of wear after some months.

[JellyWings]

Just a foot note to this thread:

I travelled through a major regional UK airport last week. My securitywashbag was accepted fine but my wife's M&S bag was rejected

The officious security bod proudly announced that the M&S bags were no longer permitted as they had been 'proven to be greater than 1 litre in volume'.

Was wondering if anyone else had suffered similar?

I have to say - it's enough to make us take the train next time

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by AircraftOperations

I was told by UK security staff that the bag had to re-sealable for 2 reasons:

Firstly, so a "vapour test" can be performed on the contents if required.

In theory, by placing all the smellies in a sealed bag and gases that leak are contained within the bag. As the bag passes through the scanners the sensor would detect this concentraion of gases.

This presupposes that one bag that passes through does not contaiminate the machine for later bags/

It presupposes that the sealed bag is not so totally sealed as to stop any gases escaping.

It is certainly the case that they want even a single item in the bag so that any aromas are captured.

Now Mrs PN is know for arriving at security with about 2 litres of essentials despite Mr PN having forcibly extracted a suitcase from her the night before. At LGW she passed about 4-5 items through in her handbag. These were spotted, a plastic bag was produced and they were bagged (post-scanner). Her handbag was then scanned with a hand-held sniffer and then the bag was also scanned. This was all done without hastle and quite pleasantly.

Naturally any terry would use an odourless solid that could be activated by ***** **** *** ** *** ******.

[Two-Tone-Blue]

I have to query the need for all these liquids to be carried as hand baggage anyway. Neither the OH nor I feel the need to carry shampoo etc. into the cabin - it's all in our hold baggage.

At worst, we could [shock horror] buy some on arrival at a shop. That's what we usually do - why is it so important to carry the stuff into the cabin anyway? Is there a shower on your aircraft?

[Pontius Navigator]

TTB, one reason is the additional cost for hold baggage on some airlines so it is both cheaper and more convenient to have hand lugage only.

Yes you can buy what you need in a shop; shampoo, shower gel and shaving cream, but Mrs TTB, and certainly Mrs PN, will not want to take the risk that they cannot find the right colour nail varnish, hair spray, shampoo, deoderant, perfume, nail polish remover, toothpaste, lipstick, lipsalve, sunscreen, insect repellent, hand gel etc etc.

[Two-Tone-Blue]

Dear Pontius, you make a fair point. I forgot the scurrying Executives whose lives are so hectic that they cannot afford to wait for hold baggage, and thus clutch their small world to them in a small bag.

Mrs TTB is not a painted woman, however. Being ex-RAF, she is perfectly capable of surviving 7 hours without the need for a mobile beauty salon. Natural beauty and a robust persona will suffice.



BTW, are you perchance formerly XP or XW? Feel free to PM.

[radeng]

Medicines are where it can get interesting. You are allowed more than 100ml, and part filled bottles of more than 100ml, provided they have a proper prescription label from a pharmacy on them. They obviously can end up filling up a 3 litre bag, let alone a 1 litre! Depending on where you are, the muppets can vary from being helpful to downright obnoxious - LHR T5 had been the worst. When the dose is 2.5ml, and exceeding it can lead to fainting, demands to 'taste it' need to be refused. Explaining that a collapse at the top of the escalator and what would happen to people further down just about got through to the muppet - who was not a native English speaker, incidentally.

The TSA seem to be on top of this problem, incidentally.

So if the pharmacy is in Tehran, what then?


Slightly related subject

Does anyone know if there has been a legal challenge in the US to the TSA's 'no fly rule' on the basis that it should need a court order, and is illegal without? I'm surprised the ACLU hasn't gotten into that one.

[jetset lady]

TTB,

In my case, the airline I work for strongly discourages us against putting bags in the hold, due to the way one aircraft type is loaded. As crew, on the average three day short haul trip, we change aircraft approximately every two sectors, often on pretty tight turnarounds and bags are difficult to locate quickly. As a result, we have to carry all the extra liquids needed for the trip, in hand luggage. For this reason, the company actually went to the Dft to confirm that the M&S bags were acceptable. They agreed that the bags, did indeed, fit all the requirements and gave us the green light.

Sadly, while they may be accepted by the DfT, "They 'aint at Manchester", according to the vile, nasty little swamp rat of a failed wheel clamper, who I suspect spends his time off counting how many hairs he has managed to grow "down there". It appears that Manchester have their own rules, but then again, as this character was keen to point out, his girlfriend manages just fine and she has to go through security every single day to work in the Ethiad lounge. What a hero, God bless her! I'm assuming she's not night stopping in the lounge though?

And if you do go through and get forced into buying one of their rip off bags for £1, despite the fact that the person in front of you, has just been cleared without question, with exactly the same bag, then don't even think about using that as an excuse. Apparently, inconsistencies in security are not this supervisors fault, or his problem.

Finally, if you are tempted to stand your ground and argue, be aware that if you are crew, this one will helpfully remind you of your responsibilities with regards to an ontime departure and suggest that you cough up quickly before you make the flight late, as you aren't going anywhere till you do!

However, never fear. At least you can rest easy, knowing that your £1 has supposedly gone to charity. You won't find out which one though, as that appears to be priviledged information.....

[flyingfemme]

I have to query the need for all these liquids to be carried as hand baggage anyway.

Ain't you the lucky one. I have psoriasis and my handbag always contains handcream, lip balm and antibac gel as a minimum. Usually a prescription item, or two, when travelling in case my checked bag goes missing. In the space of a "normal" day's travelling without them my skin can crack, split and infect enough to ruin the next week. Particularly when I am dehydrated because I can't carry any water with me!

[jetjockeyusa]

I love that useless security regulation LOL.

[Final 3 Greens]

Is there a shower on your aircraft?

Between DXB and LHR, yes.

[Two-Tone-Blue]

I apologise unreservedly to all of you with medical requirements that entail the carriage of various 'potions and lotions'. I had failed to consider that aspect when I started dribbling on my keyboard.

Crawling away in a sideways manner

[Pagan_angel]

I have to say - it's enough to make us take the train next time

for short haul distances.... The Man in Seat Sixty-One... shhhhh.....

[Two-Tone-Blue]

Short-haul ... a possible option for some.

Long-haul ... a farce, and I had noted your caveat! Taking the quoted 6 days each way to NY, which is not where I need to be, I therefore add 2 weeks to my planned [and regular] 3 weeks, and then another 2 days getting from NY>DC and back. My 3 weeks in the DC area is now getting close to 6 weeks away from home.

[radeng]

JSL,

Won't the company support you in blaming the security muppet for the late departure and demand compensation from the airport? Or don't the company care about their employees?