From Kathleen Crislip,
Your Guide to Student Travel.
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New and very strict airport rules across Europe, the UK and the US can mean packing headaches for air travelers. Carry on rules forbidding liquids and gels may be the most problematic of the airport rules facing travelers these days, and packing with foresight helps. Let's walk through how to cope.

1. Learn what current airport security rules are
2. Get the right carry on bag
3. Make a list: liquids and gels you can't lose and must have for the first night or week of travel
4. Buy sample sizes of or fill small containers with liquids and gels

What Are the Airport Rules?

Airport security rules originally mandated by the US and UK and subsequently followed by the EU (European Union) and other countries in 2006 limited items in carry ons or carried on board after an alleged terrorist plot involving liquid explosives and airliners was uncovered in London. Learn what's new with TSA airport rules:

• What are all the international airport rules?
• What's up with laptops and shoes at airport security screening?
• What's up with lithium batteries in baggage?

About Liquids, Gels and Carry Ons

Airport rules currently limit liquids and gels carried on board airplanes to small containers (sizes vary by country) within small, clear, plastic bags with Ziploc-style closures. In some countries, you can carry on liquids in bottles, like water, purchased after clearing airport security. Amounts of liquids and gels as pertain to toiletries you may pack in your carry on vary by country, but if you are flying to the US from any country, you must follow US airport rules -- as of 2006, that means liquids and gels in containers of three ounces or less can be carried on if packed inside one clear, quart-sized plastic bag with a working Ziploc™-style closure.

The allowed liquids and gels will have to be taken out of your carry on and sent through airport security X ray machines seperately from the rest of your belongings. So will your laptop and the shoes you are wearing. Most liquid/gel airport rules are similar enough that packing by US airport rules will work in any country.

About Lithium Batteries

Effective January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will no longer allow loose lithium batteries in checked baggage; loose lithium batteries must be packed in carry-on baggage. The lithium ion batteries inside your camera, phone and laptop are almost certainly okay and you can carry spares in your carry on or in certain ways in checked bags. Learn more about limitations on amount, packaging, type and lithium content of lithium batteries:

• Lithium Batteries, Baggage and Airplanes

Essentially:

• You may not pack loose lithium batteries in your checked baggage
• You may pack most spare, loose lithium batteries in carry-on baggage
• You may not bring gigundo lithium metal batteries, period (which you're unlikely to even own, anyway)

How Do Airport Rules Affect Packing?

Airport rules mean that many travelers simply cannot pack everything needed for a trip into carry on bags. I used to travel internationally for a month with two carry ons -- that's no longer the case if I want to bring my own liquids and gels. However, checking a bag means more packing freedom (checked suitcases can be very big, and carry ons must fit a size requirement) -- new rules thus actually enable travelers like me to bring more junk. The flip side of that is hauling that junk around other countries on my back. Thus, packing light is as key to easy travel as ever -- I sometimes check my carry on-sized backpack with some liquids and gels inside and carry on a shoulder bag.

I bring my own liquids and gels because I can (and have) spent a fortune in bus tickets finding key stuff like high-SPF sunscreen in some countries, and such searches are time-consuming on a short trip.

Therefore, for trips over one week, I check a bag containing key stuff. Bummer, but the way it is. Trips of under one week -- carry it all on to avoid waiting in line to pick up checked luggage, losing checked luggage or finding broken items in a suitcase tossed by baggage handlers or handled by TSA screeners, as the contents of checked bags can be. (I've also had my TSA-approved luggage locks broken by TSA screeners.)

I bring a carry on with the stuff which I know is hard to find abroad and which I do not want to lose packed into an approved size and style plastic baggie: Brave Soldier, a high-spf sunscreen stick (sticks last forever), and a small size of the deodorant, toothpaste and contact lens goop I like. That fills the baggie. Given some time, I can cheaply find more of these items abroad, but I'm set for at least a week of travel.

What Items Do You Need To Carry On Board?

Which toiletries, liquids and gels do you need to carry on board an airplane flight? Your criteria: you must have it for the first night or week and your lodging won't supply it. Pack it in your carry on. Make a checklist, which may include:

• Deodorant
• Sunscreen
• Contact lens solution
• Shampoo/liquid soap and toothpaste (hostels don't usually provide either -- airlines may provide teeny toothpaste tubes and brushes on long haul flights)
• Lip balm or lotion or moisturizer (nice after eight hours on a plane)

Where Can I Find Small Tubes and Packets of Liquids and Gels?

You can put your own liquids and gels into plastic squeeze bottles/tubes/jars, which you can get at drugstores. If you want particular brands, buy some sample sizes -- sample size packets of everything from laundry soap to steak sauce exist.

• Where to buy sample sizes

Airport Security Packing Review

• Learn what current airport security rules are
• Get the right carry on bag (and put your spare lithium batteries in it)
• Make a list: liquids and gels you can't lose and must have for the first night or week of travel
• Buy sample sizes of or fill small containers with liquids and gels

Pack light, pack smart and then enjoy the journey!

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.
--Glenn Clark

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