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Original poster

Reasoning behind airport security rules

110 replies

which1 · 05/08/2019 21:54

Just wondering, why is it 100ml max for carry on liquids?

Is it because it is deemed that nothing in that small a quantity could do damage, as opposed to say standard 250ml shower gel bottles?

Also why the specific rules about the size of the see through bag you put it in? Understand why it has to be see-through but why does it matter about whether you use a medium or large freezer bag if the amount you can put in it is the same anyway? And if it's considered safe as long as an item is capped at 100ml, why do they limit how many bottles your are allowed to take in total?

And why does a tablet have to come out of your bag and go in the tray separately but your phone doesn't?

Just generally curious surrounding the rules and reasoning behind the liquids rules.

And before anyone says anything, yes I do do the whole bag thing properly by the rules, and do not fuss about it at the airport etc etc etc but just wondering why those particular rules were chosen.

OP posts:

Plar · 05/08/2019 21:57

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Oblomov19 · 05/08/2019 22:01

Surely there has to be more to it than that?

I've seen things: eg: security guard take lipsticks out of the see through bag because it didn't seal/do up. And then confiscate the said eyeliner or thin lipstick. Seemed over zealous. When the lady asked for another item from the bag to be thrown away instead and the said lipstick kept, she was refused.

EvilPostbox · 05/08/2019 22:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Interested in this thread?

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Flying Holidays

DreamingofSunshine · 05/08/2019 22:14

Some UK airports want to see laptops but not kindles, and one airport wanted my ghds separately - I have no idea why.

OMGshefoundmeout · 05/08/2019 22:14

A lot of rules seem to vary from country to country, airport to airport, terminal to terminal and even day to day. For instance some airports consider lipsticks to be liquids although most seem to regard them as solids. Sometimes it’s shoes on, other times not. The 100ml thing seems to be universal though.

And no system is perfect. I’ve gone through with a knife before (completely accidentally), and last time I flew I forgot to take my liquids bag out and nothing was said.

Aberhonddu · 05/08/2019 22:15

The correct answer is because they can,
not many people will argue back because they want to get on the flight so that they can have a well deserved holiday. Some airport staff are like little dictators, they have the power and they are in charge, passengers usually don't argue because. See reasons above.
Some, most definitely not all relish the power that they have. The liquids thing came about because the claim that liquids could be combined to make an explosive device.

Aberhonddu · 05/08/2019 22:19

See also for your comfort and safety, absolute bollocks, it's to make life easier for those in charge

lalafafa · 05/08/2019 22:42

Some hope?
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/06/liquids-and-laptop-can-stay-in-your-hand-luggage-says-heathrow

lalafafa · 05/08/2019 22:43

I transferred through Washington recently and everything stayed in my bag, lap top/iPad etc. Not liquids though.
I didn’t have to show my ESTA either.

Original poster

which1 · 05/08/2019 22:48

lalfafa

Yes, I went through this at Schipol, Amsterdam in May and it was very quick.

OP posts:

Boredofblueskythinking · 05/08/2019 22:52

When I flew back from Amsterdam in Feb, liquids (although 100ml) could stay in amhand luggage, no need to get them out...

Isthebigwomanhere · 05/08/2019 23:13

What gets me is they throw confiscated stuff in a bin in security.
If it was that much of a threat you would think it would be removed from the building and safely destroyed

meditrina · 05/08/2019 23:22

Because the effects if you mix certain liquid chemicals in an enclosed space wouid be terrible.

It is to make it as hard as possible for people acting singly or, crucially, as a group to get enough on board to kill a planeload of people in the air. Yes it takes considerable more than 100mls, but if you have a group on the same flight all squishing as much as possible into slightly oversized plastic bags, it might become concerning

And yes, it is alsomabout security 'theatre' - it's saying that the authorities are in control; a situation many find reassuring.

meditrina · 05/08/2019 23:23

Constituent parts can be entirely safe and stable, until mixed with others. Some you might even have in your home

Pickmeaholiday2019 · 06/08/2019 04:54

Lalafafa - you never have to show an ESTA. It's linked to your passport number so will show up on their screen at checkin whether you were approved or not. You don't even need to print it off.

perimenohell · 06/08/2019 05:00