TSA security checkpoints have had their liquids system in place since 9/11. In the last few years I've noticed the security checkpoints at various airports have become very inconsistent in how strongly they're enforcing this rule. If your ticket says TSA pre-check they want you to go through the pre-check line. I didn't sign up for it, I didn't ask for it but I got it anyway! This is great if you're traveling alone or don't mind separating from your party because odds are not everyone in your party got it and they can't go with you. When you go through this lane (as of 8/2015) you do not have to take off your shoes and you do not have to take out your liquids. This is always a nice perk to get!
On one occasion I have gone through the regular security line only to have mine merge with TSA pre-check and it became very confusing, very fast. A TSA agent on a power trip was directing people and when I asked if we needed to pull out our liquids he replied, "Did I say you need to pull out your liquids?" Wow... somebody hadn't had their coffee yet! On another occasion I asked an agent and she asked me how much liquids I had. I replied back, "A standard quart size bag." She thought for a moment and said, "Nahhh it'll be fine." I'm in the airport roughly every other month and I never know what to expect when going through the security because it seems to change every day and even different security checkpoints at the same airport are run differently.
The first thing I bought was this:
I thought it would be perfect. With a million pockets and pouches, everything would have its own place and I would always know where something was. This turned out to be true... unless it tipped over and everything fell out. Which happened a lot. I also found that the size and shape made it hard to pull out of my carry on bag easily and anything sticking out of a pouch got caught on my bag. This made it through one trip until it got the boot.
In my efforts to be ready for anything when it comes to security checkpoints, I always have a liquids bag ready for removal and my current toiletry system is in three bags.
1. Liquids Bag:
This is the current bag and bottle set I use for liquids. All of my required liquids fit in this little guy. The tubes have held up quite well but the bag stopped sealing properly after about 6 months of heavy use.
2. Essential Toiletries
I have a small pencil pouch sized bag that has everything I really need for traveling and the things I usually need quick access to like chapstick, makeup and contacts.
3. Non-essential Toiletries
This is a slightly larger bag that contains everything else. I always try to get this bag in my backpack but sometimes it ends up in my roller bag. It contains things like a little hair brush, makeup remover wipes and bobby pins.
These bags also contain all of the items I usually keep in my purse so I don't normally take my purse with me when I travel. I opt for a wristlet, mini crossbody or my husband's pockets :)
