Rules regarding plane travel in the US are quite strict, and even seasoned and frequent travelers have been known to have issues with some of the more obscure limitations to what you can and cannot travel with, mostly because they are updated frequently and become more and more strict every year. Having said that, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) publishes a rolling list in which they tell travelers what is and is not acceptable to travel with both in your carry-on and checked baggage.
Most people are aware of the basics regarding liquids and electronics, mostly that you need to take them out of your bag when you go through the security scans, but the particulars have become a lot more expansive and it can be frustrating to find them out when you are already in the conveyor belt and faced with an agent that has no patience and comprehension.
The TSA rules that you need to know about if you are planning to travel this summer
We all know that the amount of liquid we can take on a flight is limited. You can purchase specific TSA approved bags that will ensure that you do not exceed the liquid limit and in many airports you will be given disposable bags in which to deposit your liquids to ensure that you are not over the allotted amount. But that does not mean that you can take any liquids you want on a plane, even if they do fit inside the liquids allowance.
This does not apply to anything you nought in the duty free shops once you have gone through TSA controls, but as a rule, passengers are strictly prohibited from carrying alcoholic beverages with more than 70 percent alcohol (over 140 proof). This includes all grain alcohol, 151-proof rum and absinthe, which can reach up to 89 percent alcohol, and it is usually not advisable to consume in or out of an airport setting.
Unlike other liquids like soaps, these alcohols cannot even be flown in checked luggage, as they are highly flammable and they are considered a security risk both in the cabin and in the cargo hold. That does not mean that you cannot check any alcohol with your bag, most airlines will allow you to carry alcoholic beverages with lower alcohol levels, such as vodka or standard rum (around 80 proof), but they will still need to be compliant with in-flight liquid regulations.
To avoid any issues, just try to purchase your alcohol once in the airport terminal or have it sent home by the seller if it is that important. The cost will hurt your wallet a little, but it will be better than seeing it tossed at security or baggage check-in, and just remember that you cannot just drink it, as boarding a plane while drunk is not just unadvisable, but something that you will likely not be allowed to do. No amount of money spent on alcohol is worth spending a few hours in airport jail for being deemed drunk and belligerent and missing your flight.
Other items that have been deemed unsuitable for travel by the TSA are certain electronic devices and batteries that could pose a danger if they overheat or explode. While these encompass many devices, some of the most relevant examples are:
- Power banks
- Cell phone battery cases
- Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
- Portable chargers
- External batteries for laptops or tablets
If you must carry some of these, they must be carried exclusively in carry-on baggage, as in the event of an emergency, the crew needs quick access to them and some airlines are even insisting that they must not be stored in an overhead compartment, they must be “in plain sight” during the flight to ensure that in the event of a fire the crew can put it out with as much ease as possible.