Is This TSA Rule Going Away at MSP Airports?

For years, literally from the year 2006, travelers have been dealing with some of these TSA rules every single time you fly.

The rule of 3.4 ounce containers inside a clear quart size ziplock bag in your carry-on bag has been in place since 2006.  The rule has been put into place because of a failed terrorist plot in the U.K. when terrorists attempted to bring liquid explosives on to an aircraft.  The precaution was meant to be temporary, but here we are, almost 20 years later with the same rule still in place.

Now there are rumors that rule could be on its way out.

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There is new equipment being rolled out in Europe that will allow the scanners to check containers that are larger than the 3.4 ounces that are currently allowed.  Although the government there made an announcement that the rule will stay in place regardless if the new scanners have been implemented or not.

The United States is making a similar statement.

"TSA is still deploying Computed Tomography (CT) units that are capable of screening larger sizes of liquids, however the agency will not be able to change the current 3-1-1 liquids rule for some time to come, because there are about 2,000 screening lanes in about 430 airports,” a TSA spokesperson confirmed to Travel + Leisure.

 

"We are anticipating that it may not be until 2040 that we have CT units fully deployed across the nation and have the capability of changing the requirement across the system."

Yep.  2040 at the earliest.  So we may or may not have that to look forward to at MSP/STP airports in 16 years.

But, when I traveled to Dallas/Fort Worth earlier this year they had some new scanning equipment and made the announcement that you did not have to take anything out of your carry-on to go through security  Normally they ask you to remove all electronics, liquids, etc before sending them through the scanner.  Not there - I thought that was great, and a lot faster.  At least it's a start.