Transportation Security Administration's Flight Luggage Regulations

If you are planning to fly with the other hoards of people anytime in the near future, knowing what you can take and what you can't will save you a lot of grief at the security checkpoints.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols

On 9-26-2007, the TSA adjusted the ban on liquids, gels, and aerosols by allowing travelers to carry them in their carry-on bags when going through security checkpoints. All of these items must be in 3-ounce containers, weighing no more than 3 ounces, in a quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized, zip-top, clear plastic bag from their carry-on bag and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening.

There are exceptions to the above procedures for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over the counter drugs.

Flight Luggage Regulations - Electronics

The X-ray screening equipment for checked bags will damage undeveloped film in camera equipment, so you should take it in your carry-on bag. Laptop computers, cell phones, pagers, and personal data assistants are all okay both in checked and carry-on baggage.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Sharp Objects

Don't try to carry on box cutters, ice axes, knives, meat cleavers, razor blades, sabers, scissors, or swords. At the very least these items will be confiscated, and you may find yourself being questioned in a back room at the airport instead of boarding your flight.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Sporting Goods

Baseball bats, bows and arrows, cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, and spear guns are all prohibited on-board.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Guns And Firearms

Each individual airline has their own policy on weapons, so it is a very good idea to call the airline before your trip.

The only items that cannot be carried on or checked are: flares, gun powder, and percussion caps. The items that you may check but not carry on include: ammunition, BB guns, compressed air paintball guns, firearms, gun lighters, pellet guns, replicas of firearms, and starter pistols.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Tools

You may carry on or check: tools (if seven inches or less in length), screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers. Items that you can check but not carry on include: axes, hatchets, cattle prods, crowbars, hammers, drills, saws, and tools.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Martial Arts And Self Defense Items

You may check but not carry on the following items: billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles, kubatons, night sticks, nunchakus, stun guns, and throwing stars.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Explosive Materials

You may not check or carry on the following items: blasting caps, dynamite, fireworks, flares, hand grenades, plastic explosives, and plastic replicas of explosives.

Flight Luggage Regulations – Chemicals

You may not check or carry on the following items: chlorine, gas cartridges, fire extinguishers, bleach, spray paint, and tear gas.