WASHINGTON — Travelers excited about keeping their shoes on while passing through TSA checkpoints at airports might soon have another reason to cheer: an upcoming revision in the allowable volume of liquids they can bring on board.
During a conference organized by “The Hill,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed on Wednesday that she is examining “everything TSA does.” She hinted at potential modifications to the current liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage.
“I am reconsidering the rules regarding liquids. So, the next major update could be about the permissible liquid sizes,” Noem mentioned. “We’ve implemented a comprehensive screening process at TSA which allows us to adjust some security and screening protocols while maintaining safety.”
She gave no details about precisely what those changes might be or how quickly travelers could expect to see them.
Under the Transportation and Security Administration’s current guidance, travelers can carry liquids in travel-sized containers 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item in their carry-on bag. Those containers must be placed in a one-quart resealable plastic bag. Bigger containers must go in checked baggage, though there are exceptions for medications and baby formula.
Noem announced on July 8 that travelers were no longer required to take their shoes off while going through screening after a pilot program showed TSA had the equipment needed to keep airports and aircraft safe while allowing people to keep their shoes on.
That policy had been in place since 2006, several years after “shoe bomber” Richard Reid’s failed attempt to take down a flight from Paris to Miami in late 2001.
The limits on liquids were triggered by a 2006 incident where authorities foiled a plot to used liquid explosives smuggled aboard carry-on luggage to blow up planes.
Ever since the guidelines were put in place TSA checkpoints have been the scene of travelers quickly guzzling water, digging through luggage to find and discard a too-large tube of hair gel and chucking jars of everything from jam to bottles of coffee that didn’t meet the size requirement.
The guidance also triggered discussions – sometimes arguments – over what constitutes a liquid. Yogurt? Peanut butter? Jam and jelly? All are currently restricted to containers no bigger than 3.4 ounces as detailed on an extensive list that TSA maintains on its website titled “What can I bring?”
Noem also laid out her vision for the future of airport travel during the talk Wednesday.
“Hopefully, the future of an airport, where I’m looking to go is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your plane,” Noem said. “It takes you one minute.”
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