Many of you have ordered my latest book and may have started reading it.  I look forward to reading all your reviews.  As a side bar, I’d like to share an embarrassing and fun moment with the beloved TSA.

I have been traveling solo for the past five years with only carry-on luggage.  Before COVID, we were told to take out our liquids and place them in the gray bins.  Once we started traveling again after quarantine, we were told not to take anything out of our bags.  When asked to take liquids out of my bag and place it in the gray bin, I always took out three-quart size bags with all my three-ounce bottles.  Not once did anyone say anything about my three bags.  That is – UNTIL – I got to the Fayetteville, North Carolina airport at 4:30am for a 6:00am flight.

I was the second person in the line.  The TSA officer gave instructions to place all liquids in the gray bin.  Once again, I took out my three bags.  She immediately stated, “You are only authorized one bag.”  Boy, did I wake up fast!  She then instructed me to step aside and either consolidate my liquids into one bag or check in my luggage.  In a panic, I shoved everything into one bag which of course I could not close.  After another TSA officer checked my bag further, they let me through. 

At the time, I was traveling with my friend, Jill, who is a retired air traffic controller.  She knew the rule and was surprised that I got away with three bags for as long as I did.  While we waited for our 6:00am flight, I did a search on the TSA website, and learned the 3-1-1 rule.

I don’t know how I missed this, but this rule clearly states that all liquids, gels, creams, and pastes must be in three ounce or smaller bottles.  My focus was on the size of the bottles without realizing that there was more to this rule.  The bottles must be in one quart size bag and only one bag is allowed per passenger.

I sat for a while thinking of all the airports I’ve been to and how many times I took out my three-quart size bags.  Since this was the beginning of my trip, I wondered if I would have the same issue getting through the Denver airport to get home.  As I packed for my return trip, I was able to get my three-ounce bottles into two-quart size bags.  I decided that if I was challenged by the 3-1-1 rule, I would discard some of my toiletries. 

Well, Denver was a breeze.  They did not want me to take anything out of my carry-on bag.  No questions were asked – no issues with the number of bags – and I was on my way. 

As I contemplated this further, I remember (while planning for my Alaska trip) searching the TSA rules to see if I could bring a collapsible hiking pole in my carry-on bag.  The TSA rule clearly states that hiking poles are not allowed in carry-on luggage and must be included with check in luggage.  However, as I was preparing to exit the plane during my flight to Alaska, the couple in front of me each had collapsible hiking poles attached to their back packs.  As we waited to exit the plane, I asked them if they had problems getting through TSA.  They shook their heads and said that no one questioned them. 

As embarrassing as my 3-1-1 incident was, my mom’s story tops it all.  Back in the day, when security was not as stringent as it is today, Mom would travel with food.  She was my Italian Mom and Italian Moms always travel with food.  Weeks before she was scheduled for her flight, she made spaghetti sauce (which she always called GRAVY) and meatballs – which she intended to bring with her on the plane.  Since the sauce was frozen, she knew it would last for the trip and make it safely to my home.  Poor Dad had to carry this huge Tupperware of homemade frozen spaghetti sauce with meatballs.  Dad placed the bag with the Tupperware on the conveyor belt.  The TSA officer stared long and hard at the screen trying to figure out what was in the bag.  He looked puzzled at my retired parents and finally asked Mom what was in the bag.  She said very proudly – “it’s my meatballs.”  The TSA officer laughed and asked if he could come home with her.  Those were the days! 

Don’t get caught like I did!  If you are looking for a reliable 3-1-1 liquids bag, here’s the Amazon link for the bag that I am using!  It even has the little airplane on the bag to show that it is the approved size.

For more of my favorite travel accessories, visit my Travel Accessories page for direct links to Amazon.

Now that I’ve shared my embarrassing moment with TSA, I am sure you have one to tell as well.  Let me know in the comments below if you have ever had an embarrassing TSA moment.  And for you Italians out there – does your mom call it “sauce” or “gravy”?????

Hope you are all enjoying my latest book.  Be sure to post your review on Amazon. 

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