Packing could get easier as airlines introduce eye-soothing liquids with new technology

In response to some European airlines withdrawing from the 3-1-1 rule, some U.S. airlines are also considering relaxing it. The 3-1-1 rule gets its name from the necessities: liquids have to be in containers of three.4 ounces or less (“3”), slot in a single 1-quart bag (“1”), and passengers are only allowed one such bag (the last “1”).

This guideline, introduced after the September 11, 2001 attacks, was a part of a broader reassessment of airline security protocols. Technological advances may now pave the way in which for changes on this long-term limitation.

According to , although European airlines had anticipated rolling out their liquid-limit rules by June 1, the slow rollout of new computed tomography (CT) scanners has prevented them from doing so. The new machines have the power to detect any hazardous materials packed in a passenger’s suitcase or bag, eliminating the necessity to limit liquid sizes to three.4 ounces.

In America, nevertheless, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has only admitted that it expects to “lift the liquids limit in the coming years,” and that limit stays in effect. Despite this, there are There are still some liquids that could be packaged in containers larger than 3.4 ouncesbut most of those are measures mandatory for medical reasons.

These items include: clearly labeled prescribed medications for the passenger, medically mandatory liquids, gels and sprays (have to be in reasonable quantities and reported to security officers prematurely), breast milk and infant formula, infant and toddler food and beverages, liquid teethers, ice, gel and freezers, IV bags, pumps, syringes and other medical supplies, fresh eggs (the carton could also be separated and inspected by a TSA officer), live fish and coral in water (some airlines also allow live lobsters in a transparent, spill-proof plastic container), biological specimens (provided they’re non-infectious and in solution, and are clearly marked and labeled), spill-proof wet batteries and duty-free items in sealed bags.