Sometimes a fix for a problem can be right there in front of you, and you don’t see it.
The TSA, of course, has had the 3-1-1 liquids rule in effect since the earliest days after the 9/11 tragedy. This is how it’s explained on their website:
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.
The government is ssslllooowwwlllyyy updating TSA’s scanning hardware to CT scanners that can assess if any substance it’s viewing presents a threat. And although we will someday be able to get through the security checkpoint without worrying about our “bag o’ liquids, that’s still not going to happen, according to Condé Nast Traveler for “years.”
Since most of us have been doing the 3-1-1 bag thing for years, we are pretty good at it. But sometimes, people just wish they could bring more with them. Of course, there are a couple of hacks we’ve mentioned in the past:
But admittedly, neither are ways to actually bring more liquids with you.
There is one way that several of our readers have mentioned over the years. I figured when and if enough people brought the hack to the surface, I’d share it. And we just reached that magic number.
The cheat
This is not a hack; it’s a cheat. And it’s not one we recommend because, frankly, it goes against the TSA’s rule, which plainly states that “each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.”
But apparently plenty of people use more than one bag.
- If they have Pre-Check and have a carry-on and a personal bag with them, they put one 3-1-1 bag in each.
- If they don’t have Pre-Check, they can still put one bag in one bin (say, with their personal bag) and another bag in the bin with their jacket/coat.
And boom, you just got two 3-1-1 bags through security.
Big honkin’ caveat
At least one self-identifying TSA officer has said nothing to stop people from doing this cheat.
And, let’s face it – TSAOs aren’t looking to make sure how many bags o’ liquid you have; their goal is to make sure you don’t have anything that will hurt others or blow up a plane. So, could it be done? Yes. Has it been done? Yes.
Should you do it? Well, that’s where that big honkin’ caveat comes in – especially if you have Global Entry or PreCheck.
If, someway, somehow, the TSAOs on duty got wind that you were flouting the 3-1-1 rule, you COULD potentially kiss your Global Entry and/or PreCheck goodbye.
After all, you have those because you’ve been vetted and are considered a “trusted traveler.” If you give them a reason to believe you can’t be trusted anymore (and remember, they’re checking ALL THE TIME), they’d have no choice but to revoke your Global Entry, PreCheck, or both. Potentially never being able to get them again.
BUT, if bringing more than one 1-quart bag of liquids is important to you, that’s how it could be done.
But we don’t recommend doing it.
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