An article in today’s New York Times gives the “rest of the story” regarding the impact from the increase in checked luggage. The liquids ban increased the amount of checked luggage by about 25%, which significantly stressed an already strained system. While flight attendents and newspaper editorials have been calling for full bans on carry-on…

Effective Tuesday 25 September, the TSA is loosening its carry-on liquids ban. According to the announcement on the TSA web site, we can now “carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag” (TSA’s emphasis ) and “bring beverages and other items purchased in…

This morning’s New York Times’ editorial page joins many of its ink-stained brethern in calling for a ban on carry-on luggage. While as wrong-headed in its conclusions as other editorialists, they’ve focused on the right issue — improved security — rather than the “improved speed of boarding” argument which we showed in an earlier post…

Hilary Baumann has posted a pretty exhaustive list of possible substitutes for liquid or gel toiletries on her ClothingCult blog. It’s a much more exhaustive list than I’ve provided in previous posts. Her suggestions for substitutes for products like bubble bath, concealer, and mascara go far beyond experience set. Why go through all this trouble;…

The lead story on the front page of today’s USAToday business section is headlined Fliers board faster as fewer carry on bags. The first sentence trumpets “new security rules for carry-on bags are enabling airline passengers to get on and off planes faster, helping flights leave on time.” It then quotes a number of airline…

At the beginning of the year, there was a lot of noise about rolling out a Registered Traveler program — where, in exchange for a $100 fee and a more detailed background check, a (presumably frequent) traveler would gain the ability to pass more quickly through the TSA security screening. However, the program died from…

Last week, most of the news coverage about the TSA’s new security restrictions was fairly positive — travelers were inconvenienced, but taking it in stride and soldiering on. However, with the TSA now suggesting that many of these restrictions could become permanent, the coverage is shifting. USA Today, the unofficial newspaper of frequent travelers, put…

At the end of last night’s podcast, I mentioned that I had restocked my toiletry kit with the latest TSA banned substance list in hand. I hit the local Wild Oats natural food store and bought some Eco-Dent tooth powder, Tom’s of Maine natural long-lasting deodorant stick, and Jason Stuck Up! hair styling wax. Even…