Earlier this month we saw the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) update its policy requiring passengers traveling without TSA PreCheck to remove their shoes at security. The move came as REAL ID requirements went into effect, though passengers traveling without the required identification are subject to additional screening. Now it appears that another TSA rule around liquids could be on the chopping block.
Current State of the TSA Liquid Restrictions
As a reminder, the TSA currently limits passengers traveling with liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes to travel sized containers measuring 3.4 ounces or less per container. All of these items must fit into a clear, quart sized bag inside of your carry-on luggage. Larger quantities must be placed into your checked luggage.
Anyone who has flown in recent years can attest to just how lax these requirements have become. I regularly travel with a full sided tube of toothpaste and stick of deodorant inside of my shaving kit and can’t recall ever being stopped (now that I’ve said this I’ll be stopped the next time I go through a checkpoint). These items are both oversized and not stored in the proper manner.
I can’t be the only one who has experienced this, though my wife is constantly getting flagged for having cans of sparkling water in her backpack so they are still checking for certain things.
The TSA is Considering Lifting Liquids Restrictions
Given how lax the TSA has been in recent years regarding liquid requirements I’m not surprised to hear about them potentially being rolled back. Initially it was thought that the requirements would be in place for at least the next decade, as the TSA rolled out new CT scanners, however, there appears to be a shift in thinking at the Department of Homeland Security.
During an interview at the Hill Nation Summit in Washington yesterday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told NewsNation host Blake Burman that the liquids rule is something that she is questioning, stating:
“So that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquids need to be.”
While no timeline has been given on when this could occur, the DHS has consistently stated that any changes will be announced via official channels, it appears that liquids restrictions could be relaxed or removed sooner rather than later (Please don’t let people bring their emotional support fish tank through security).
At the same event Noem stated that, in the future, she would like to see a scenario where security “Takes you one minute.” from curb to gate. While I’m not sure that we ever will, or should, return to that level of security, the roughly 20 year old liquids requirement could be the next rule to go.
Summary
While no timeline has been announced, the head of the Department of Homeland Security has indicated that the TSA’s current liquid restrictions may be the next rule to be eliminated. This comes just over a week after the TSA officially amended its rules, allowing passengers traveling with REAL ID compliant identification to keep their shoes on at security checkpoints.
It would seem that this change is more of a when, not if, and could be happening in the very near future. Do you support changes to this rule?