When it comes to the TSA’s complicated carry-on rules, it’s often difficult to remember which items are permitted on the plane and which are subject to confiscation. It’s especially perplexing to determine what, exactly, constitutes a liquid or a gel. Consider those substances that hover between solid and liquid forms, like gooey mashed potatoes or lip gloss — where do they fall on the spectrum of solidity? Think you know the answer? Take our TSA carry-on quiz and find out if you have the know-how to make it through the airport security line.
How did you do? Share your results in the comments! To learn more about TSA rules, read Airport Security Q&A.
– written by Caroline Costello
88%. I guess I got one wrong. I thought it was three ounces. I never carry liquids though, so whatever.
How did they decide on 3.4 ounces? Why not 2.9 or 4.2?
The TSA is the most sophisticated bunch of educated federal law enforcement agents I have ever seen. I can’t understand why they don’t make more movies about them. Think about how cool it would be if Bruce Willis was patting people down and looking at X-rays for two hours! He could be like “I know your car keys are in your pocket…yippee ki-yay mofo”!
I got an 88 percent, too. Confused mascara (liquid) with blush (powder). Common error, right?
I wok for TSA so the quiz was easy. In answer to your question, Jess, 3.4 ounces is because it most closely matched the 100 ml packing that foreign travelers put in their carry-on.
got a perfect score! Wish we didn’t have to take shoes off in some airports.
I just got back from flying from SF back to Pittsburgh. The woman in front of me had 3 (!) fully packed bags -quart-with liquids- and she went right through, and says she does it all the time. What gives? Just a fluke?
Hi Kathy,
I’d say that’s a fluke, as traveling with more than one bag of liquids/gels is definitely against the TSA’s rules as posted on its Web site. Agents do sometimes overlook things like that by accident, but one of these days I’m sure someone will raise an objection.
Sarah Schlichter
Editor
IndependentTraveler.com