BootsnAll Travel Community

I am getting ready for another trip to Europe and I was wondering if, in the brave new world of travel, people still carried their packs on? (I have a couple connecting flights and I don't want to lose my stuff!)

Aside from the liquid restrictions is there anything else that I should be aware of?

Thanks!

Kyle

how long are you going for? it depends on how much you want to stretch yourself. i've made all my trips (2-3wks) carry-on only since air canada lost my luggage. one of my friends went on a rtw for 6 months with just a carry-on pack.

aside from the liquids, people have said you can't carry-on tweezers or anything, but i've carried on tweezers and nail clippers without any trouble. you can always check tsa.gov for more info.

have fun!

This is a timely question for me as I leave for my trip next week. I fly through the US with a couple days stop in LA.

Can I expect any problems if I try and bring an empty nalgene water bottle? It may sound silly but I have had this bottle on every trip so far and am a bit worried they wont let me bring it through on carry-on.

quote:

Originally posted by Conor_M:
Can I expect any problems if I try and bring an empty nalgene water bottle?

No. Just make sure it's really empty and completely dry. That way some idiot with the TSA who hasn't bothered to read the weekly list of restricted items won't just make you toss it for safety's sake.

quote:

Can I expect any problems if I try and bring an empty nalgene water bottle?

I believe the rules state all containers must be less than 3 oz. Even empty containers.

I just looked on the TSA site, and couldn't find anything that specifically references this, but, the other day at the airport, I was asked about water bottles, empty or full. You may want to call and ask, I would hate that to get taken away from you.

Has it got so bad? I last flew in March, and when asked if I was carrying this, that or whatever, I simply said "No," and that was the end of it, on I walked with my bottles of whatever.

That TSA site is very pretty, but sorely lacking. Kinda of like Kip Hawley himself.

Here is a list of the currently prohibited items.

Totally depends on the TSA staff on duty. Bad day for them, bad day for you. There's no consistency...that's the problem. Even with the printed NO NO list, you'll likely end up with a second seach and missing your plane and losing your stuff.

Most recent rules I've heard for airtravel is:

#1. Do NOT confront the TSA person. Don't even think you know the rules.

#2. Any questions? See rule #1.

quote:

Originally posted by 2gowhere?:
#1. Do NOT confront the TSA person. Don't even think you know the rules.
#2. Any questions? See rule #1.

Eh. I like to remind them, at every possible opportunity, that the majority of them are grossly under-qualified for basic mall parking lot security. But I do it with a kind and compliant smile. Why? Because I'm an ass.

I make up for this, however, by being extremely kind to stewards, stewardesses, and gate personnel. They do indeed have a tough job, as they are entirely dependent on the patience of sweaty, agitated mobs. And unions.

Thanks for the 411 guys. I think I am going to get some tiny toiletries and hope for the best!

I read through the TSA site, but didn't see anything about water bottles. Has anyone traveled with one lately that could fill me in? I would love to bring my own so I don't have to buy water at the airport.

I am happy to know, however, that I can carry on silicone inserts for my breasts, pudding, and my toy transformer robot. But, sadly, my snow globe will have to stay home.

Hi annie!
The last time I tried to bring a water bottle(last august), it was confiscated.. Unless they have new rules...

Thanks travelclown. Maybe they've let up in the last 6 months (some of the other rules have been relaxed)? Anyone tried more recently?

Unfortunately, I think it really depends on the person you deal with. I had no problem getting through with an empty water bottle on my last flight (Seattle - Boise in February), but I got it taken away, pulled aside and searched throughly and a lecture to boot when I tried to fly back with it.

I do think the TSA agents in Boise are bored though - I've never gone through that security without being pulled aside and searched.

SE Asia last fall was the first time I'd encountered the 'no bottles at all' rule and I was not impressed.

Yeah, it really depends on the mood of the staff. As for the packs, a friend of mine does that. I can't since I'm prone to carrying too much stuff!

I've never had anything confiscated, well just bottles of water, but I have had my bags gone over very thoroughly. Last time I flew I had a hair clip in my bag, one of those long pointy ones and they searhced my bag for a very long time, I guess it looked dangerous on the xray. They did let me keep it in the end though. I am going to try travelling with just a carryon next time. I realize I maybe lose things like a disposable razor or nail clippers, but it's better than having the entire bag lost for weeks. I've just seen a lot of people lately who have lost their bags for a long time, one girl finally got her bag sent to her, the day before she was to go home! It's really tough to lose your bags when you are on the go a lot and not exactly sure how long you will be in one place or don't have a hotel booked in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by anniebanannie:
I read through the TSA site, but didn't see anything about water bottles. Has anyone traveled with one lately that could fill me in? I would love to bring my own so I don't have to buy water at the airport.

I've carried an empty 1.5-liter bottle many, many times and never had a problem.

I have a similar problem. I bought a very nice and fragile french press here in spain, stupid me, because I like to drink coffee. So now I face the gamble... Will the Security agent on THIS side of the ocean, especially if I go through england, confiscate my french press? I'm not sure I want to pack it in my backpack and see if the gorillas they hire don't smash the thin pyrex glass.

As for an empty Nalgene, I've carried one myself many times w/ no trouble, and have used a metal 'biner each time.

I'd work really, really, really hard to AVOID checking that backpack, especially if your trip to Europe involves a connection in LHR. No offense to our UK friends here, but LHR has a reputation for losing bags. In fact, I'd be so bold as to say DEFINITELY don't check that pack if you're connecting thru "The London Zoo" that is Heathrow.

One advantage of NOT checking luggage is that if your flights get messed up, it's a LOT easier for you to get re-routed if you're NOT checking bags. And, should be lucky enough to be on a flight that's oversold & looking to "pay" people to get off, you're def. in a better position to do that if you've no bags to off-load.

You could always separate the "day pack" from the backpack (if your backpack is so equipped) and stow the day pack under the seat in front of you if both won't fit in an overhead bin.

As for how to fit a trip's worth of stuff in one backpack, I'd suggest checking out any number of the threads around B'n'A with packing lists, packing suggestions, etc.

Last time I flew (in January PDX - PHX) I had a bottle confiscated. It's questionable so I wouldn't bring anything you're not willing to lose.