Carry On Restrictions - What To Bring, What To Leave Home

By: Graham Lavery


Transportation Security Administration has imposed some restrictions on what items can be brought on United States flights. The list contains the items that are permitted and those that are banned. It is good to know this list as it can save you a lot of trouble when you want to take the airplane to different destinations. Keep it in your luggage so you do not have to remember each time what should and what should not be taken on an airplane.

The list contains the items allowed on a flight in the United States. Such items are lipstick, laptop computers, cell phones, pagers, cameras, the medicines that you are normally taking and you have a prescription on, some liquid medications, like eye drops, or cough syrup, but in a limited quantity, about 4 oz. A limit in quantity is applied also for liquid for low blood sugar treatment, this limit being 8 oz. If you are traveling with a little baby, you are allowed to carry baby formula or breast milk.

The list for banned items is much longer. You should not carry lighters, toothpaste, mouthwash, perfumes or colognes. Other cosmetic products, like creams, lotions, moisturizers, shaving creams are also banned from carry on flights. Products for hair care are not allowed on flights. So any hair gels, hair spray or hair strengthener should be left at home. You are also not allowed to carry mascara, make up, cleansers, nail polish or liquid soaps. Other cleaning products are banned, too. Any article like gel deodorants, spray deodorants, lip gloss and bubble bath, are also banned on flights. Gel shoe inserts, gel candles, bug spray, children's toys with gel inside or baby teethers with gel inside also must stay at home.

The carry on restrictions include restrictions regarding all beverages, gel based sports supplements, jellos, puddings, yogurt, so be careful to not carry food and drinks with you, or only the permitted ones.

When you pack to fly away, take a moment and think about all the items that you will need to carry with you. You now have the list about the personal items that are permitted on United States flights and those that are banned, but keep in mind that any airport or airline can have additional conditions regarding your luggage.

Also, besides these conditions for security, try to minimize your other risks, like the risk of theft. Try to not carry with you valuables, jewelries or other things that can cause you a great loss in case your luggage is mishandled or stolen. Many airlines do not take responsibility for such items if they disappear from your luggage, so, when packing your bag, put in it only the things that can be easily replaced.


Graham Lavery is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com