TSA bans carry-on liquids, urges passengers to check all bags

You can take knitting needles, nail files and small scissors aboard flights in your carry-on bags, but as of today, not shampoo, hair gel or toothpaste, according to new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules.

Travelers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase, but checking bags will help speed up lines at security, which will be longer in the next few days as TSA steps up inspections following a terrorist plot to blow up planes en route to the U.S. from Britain. Late today, TSA said that some passengers will go through a second round of screening at U.S. departure gates to ensure that no liquids get onboard outbound flights.

Banned from carry-on luggage and on airplanes, but allowed in checked bags are:

Liquids, gels and creams including toothpaste and shampoo, including any liquor or other liquid items that might normally be bought at stores inside security or at duty-free shops.

Passengers may bring baby formula, breast milk and juice if a baby or small child is traveling.

Prescription medicine will be allowed if the name on the prescription bottle matches the passenger's ticket. Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines can also be brought onboard.

TSA officials are urging travelers to check all luggage and avoid taking carry-on bags on flights to ease long lines caused by new security restrictions put into place today.

"We're hoping most people won't have a carry-on. That's the smartest way to go. Just to check everything," said Seattle-based TSA official Jennifer Peppin.

"We will be doing additional bag searches at the gates as well," Peppin said.

Sea-Tac Airport officials are advising travelers to arrive at the airport two hours before their flight departs.

Peppin said TSA was calling in part-timers and beefing up staff to help ease wait times.

How long the new carry-on restrictions will stay in place is up in the air. TSA in the past has eased up on prohibited items, such as small scissors and nail files, banned right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

For a complete list of banned items see www.tsa.gov (go to "our travelers" ).

Laptops OK

Laptops and cellphones, banned today for passengers starting journeys in the United Kingdom or transferring between flights in the U.K., are still allowed on flights departing from the U.S.

Passengers who opt not to take carry-on bags do run the risk of valuables being stolen out of their checked luggage.

Despite signs posted at some airlines' ticket counters instructing passengers to leave their checked bags unlocked, "there's no rule that says you have to leave it unlocked," Peppin said.

If you do lock your bag, however, you risk having the lock broken if something inside the bag sets off an alarm inside security, and a TSA agent has to inspect the contents.

Most checked baggage at Sea-Tac is inspected behind-the-scenes as it moves on a conveyor belt from the terminal to the aircraft.

Peppin said the best idea is to get a TSA-approved lock (sold at Ken's Baggage at Sea-Tac, travel stores, REI, airport shops, etc.) that can be opened by security officials with a device.

"They are the best way to assure that your bag is locked and we can get into it," she said.

Passengers leaving any U.K. airport or traveling into the U.K. from North America were prohibited today from taking carry-on bags aboard aircraft.

Pockets had to be emptied, and only the following items, carried in a single plastic bag, were being allowed in the passenger cabins on flights from British airports:

• Pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents, for example money, credit cards, identity cards, etc. (not handbags);

• Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);

• Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (such as diabetic kits), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.

• Glasses and sunglasses, without cases.

• Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.

• For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight.

• Keys (but no electric key fobs)

Two Korean national flag-carriers — Korean Air and Asiana Airlines — raised their security level on flights to Britain, and heightened security for U.S.-bound flights following a U.S. request that shoes of all passengers be checked for hidden explosives and any liquid- or gel-type belongings be seized.

The new measures raised questions about the overall effectiveness of security changes in place at airports around the world.

"If people can't bring on planes the water they have purchased inside the security perimeter, what does this say about the work we've done in the last five years?" said Joe Brancatelli, publisher of joesentme.com, an online newsletter aimed at business travelers. "If a can of unopened Coke that you bought at the Chili's next to the gate is not safe, we've wasted five years."

Carol Pucci: 206-464-3701 or cpucci@seattletimes.com