Help with PERMITTED carry-on items for flights

[GreenwithEnvy]

I am flying for the first time since 2001 and am confused about what I can and can not take in my carry on bag.
I'm mainly concerned about things like makeup, contact solution & re-wetting drops, lip gloss, and lotion...stuff I keep in my purse on a regular basis.
I went to the TSA's website and they have a list of stuff but nothing addressing these particular items.
They mention the clear plastic bag with clear bottles 3 oz. or less but...do I really have to put my contact solution, eye drops, etc. in a clear plastic bottle in a clear plastic bag? I don't even think it's possible to do that with eye drops. Or should I just put the stuff in their original container in the plastic bag??
I just want my contacts stuff and makeup with me in case something happens to my checked luggage so...has anyone flown recently and knows FOR SURE about this stuff?
The TSA website was not nearly as helpful as I thought it would be. In fact, I'm a little more confused...

[ebrillblaiddes]

Can you get a trial or travel size bottle of things? The bottle that the stuff comes from the factory in is automatically OK as long as it follows the 3 ounce rule. Your eye drops will probably get in under this rule.

Powder-type makeup will be fine wherever you pack it, but anything liquid has to be in the "toiletries bag" (usually a quart ziploc) or checked. If you want to bring larger bottles too, the best way is to put them in a plastic shopping bag, wrap the bag around the stuff a few times, and put that in your checked baggage. (The bag is in case the low pressure causes the bottle to pop and leak.)

[DaneCA]

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to put anything liquid in a clear plastic bag. When you go through security at the airport, you're required to separate this bag from your carry-on so they can see what's in there. I use a Ziploc freezer bag and I put ALL liquids in there: contact solution, eye drops, shampoo, conditioner, etc. But I don't use clear bottles; I just leave the items in their original bottles.

I've noticed, though, that they've gotten less strict. Occasionally I forget to put something in the plastic bag, such as lip gloss, and they've never noticed. I have seen them make people throw away bottles that are larger than 3 oz., though.

Have a good trip! :)

[pisces2473]

The site IS confusing.

Contact solution--you will be FINE with 3 oz (or smaller) bottles if they are from the manufacturer. You're never supposed to "repackage" contact solutions anyway.

Ebrill is right about the makeup--pack your liquid stuff (and lotion) in the ziploc, the powder-based make up can go in your purse/carryon.

[analogman]

All liquids need to be in 3oz (100ml) or smaller containers, and all containers need to fit inside a 1-quart clear plastic baggie. There is supposedly a 1-layer rule, i.e. need to be able to see front and back of the bottle in the bag, so you can't have bottles stacked against each other.

Medical supplies are supposedly granted a waiver, so you might want to put the contact solution bottle in its own 1-quart bag. If they question you about it tell them it's medically necessary for you to have them.

The capacity of the container is important, for example, they can make you throw away a half-full tube of tooth paste even if the amount left is less than 3oz (the bigger toothpaste tubes are 6.5 and 7.3oz I think).

If you don't want to pay for water at the airport, you can bring in an empty water bottle and fill it at the airport water fountains after you clear security.

[spiritedaway]

I traveled a couple of times this year and they do ask that you put all liquid stuff in a clear plastic bag. At some places (i.e. LHR), they were readily handing out the plastic bags.

To answer your specific question, you don't need to put it in a clear plastic bottle. You just need to make sure the bottle is 3oz or less and put that into the clear plastic bag. For what it's worth, I always carry my contact solutions along. But to avoid hassles, I usually bring the travel size version of my contact lens solution (usually unopened). No problems at all, ever.

If you want to bring your regular sized solutions that's over 3oz, you can always put it in your luggage and just check-in your bag. That works too.

My dad once bought a big bottle of hair shampoo that he likes from a local CVS before heading to a trip (he doesn't travel much). Apparently, he put it in his carry-on luggage (he didn't know he can't take it with him and I didn't know he did that) and it didn't take long for the TSA people to find it. The security line was long and his luggage was already checked-in, so he had no choice but to leave it. He was pretty bummed about that one!



"They mention the clear plastic bag with clear bottles 3 oz. or less but...do I really have to put my contact solution, eye drops, etc. in a clear plastic bottle in a clear plastic bag? I don't even think it's possible to do that with eye drops. Or should I just put the stuff in their original container in the plastic bag??"