Posted on: Sunday, October 8, 2006
What you can, can't carry on plane
By Toni Salama
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Two weeks ago, the Transportation Security Administration adjusted its ban on liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on luggage for flights originating in the U.S. They won't confiscate your half-ounce bottle of eyedrops now, and you can also keep your ChapStick and Chanel No. 5, provided it comes in a bottle that holds no more than 3 ounces.
Now is also a good time to review both the new carry-on rules and the rules that have not changed.
Obviously, you still can't carry on:
Box cutters, utility knives, loose razor blades
Meat cleavers, metal knives, axes and ice picks
Sabers and swords
BB guns, compressed air guns, starter pistols, pellet guns
Firearms, parts of firearms or realistic replicas of firearms
Ammunition, gun powder
Dynamite, hand grenades, fireworks, plastic explosives or realistic replicas of explosives
Flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, cooking fuel and lighter fluid
Dangerous chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, spray paint
Billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles or martial arts weapons
Mace, tear gas or pepper spray
Hammers, drills, saws or any tool longer than 7 inches
And since August you also cannot carry on:
Any canned or jarred food (for adults), including peanut butter
Cheese in pressurized containers
Gel-based or gel-like foods such as gelatin, pudding, whipped cream or yogurt
Gel-based candles
Gel shoe inserts
Yet, despite the rumors, you can carry on:
Sandwiches and most solid foods
Baby formula, food and breast milk, provided you are actually traveling with a baby
Cameras and camcorders
Undeveloped film (because the scanners for checked baggage will ruin it)
Laptops, cell phones, pagers, PDAs
Book matches — up to four (lighters are still forbidden)
Corkscrews
Knitting needles
And, strange as it sounds, you can even carry on:
Metal scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches
Tools, screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers less than 7 inches long.
This isn't a complete list, just a compilation of highlights. If you should want to look at the entire list, it is available at www.tsa.gov.
