The War on Toothpaste. Is It Over Yet?

 The best solution is tooth powder. I use Ecodent. One ounce equals about a one-month supply. Other advantage to tooth powder is that it's a lot easier to rinse out of your toothbrush, which is good when you're somewhere you have to use bottled water for brushing your teeth. Plus, if someone squashes your bag, you don't have toothpaste all over everything. And Ecodent is better for your teeth and gums than most toothpastes.

 Another great product for dealing with these rules is J.R. Liggett shampoo. It's a bar -- and a 3oz bar is roughly the equivalent of 24 fluid ounces of liquid shampoo. Plus it doesn't leak. I used it for years before the TSA rules came along, just because a 3 oz. bar is a lot lighter to carry than a bottle of shampoo.

 As for carrying liquids in through security, it's not because they think the plastic water bottles are more dangerous than the big glass bottle of booze you buy in duty free, it's because they know what's in the big bottle of booze. Al Queda has blown up more than a few things with liquid and gel explosives poured into plastic water bottles -- including an airplane. So it may seem silly to require the empty sippy cup (just as patting down the 80-year-old grandmother does), but it's part of not profiling. If the bad guys can blow up a plane with a couple of liters of gel exposives, we all have to leave our liquids outside security.

 Perhaps it's because I've been so many places where security is MUCH tigher than anyting the TSA every dreamed up, but it just doesn't seem to be all that hard to cope with the regulations.

Cynthia

http://waltzingaustralia.wordpress.com  ( http://waltzingaustralia.wordpress.com )

Your average tube of toothpaste would be below the 100ml limit (or whatever the imperial equivalent is). So what's the problem with just putting it in your plastic zip lock bag and letting them scan it separately? Or checking it in, if you have hold luggage?

It's cold comfort, but comfort none the less, to know that I'm in good company. And Alissa - I hate that there are a million little plastic bottles floating around the planet now in a never ending non compostable swirl of stuff. I'm also wondering - who's marketed the refillable 3oz toothpaste tube?  

Nerd's Eye View ( http://www.nerdseyeview.com )

I hate to complain, but it's hard to find a good solution when the products we purchase come in large bottles or containers. We can pack out clothes for our 3 day trip in a carry-on bag, but because our moisturizer container is too big we have to pay extra for checking the bag or we forfit our comfort.  So what can we do?  Well, for many brand-specific products I found the travel size item to buy (thank goodness!).  You can also find regulated size travel kits with the cotainers, so just fill it up. Take home the shampoo & conditioner bottles from the hotel instead of throwing them away (my dad has been doing this forever).  It's not fun, but the rules aren't going to change just because we keep getting busted for bringing our regular size toothpaste bottle on the plane.   

Alissa - Taylor Gifts

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Farsighted Fly Girl: http://www.rosalindcummingsyeates.com/blog ( http://rosalindcummingsyeates.com/blog )

I have been trying to ignore all the absurdities that the TSA comes up with but it's getting a tad difficult. I refuse to be pay for a checked bag. I also refuse to be inconvenienced.  I'm particular about the products I use so I can't depend on my hotel to have cehmical free, nature-based products. What I have started doing is filling those tiny lip gloss containers that I get at the Body Shop with all the lotion, facial wash and gels that I use on a daily basis.  I can pack a weeks worth in each container and I haven't paid anything extra buying travel-sized products or bottles.

I've almost stopped flying because of this nonsense. That sucks when you live on an island.

What I never understood is that (as you point out) they won't let you on the plane with a mouthful of water left in your toddler's sippy cup, or a teeny bottle of shampoo, a pair of tweezers etc. But then you can wait 'til duty-free opens midflight and buy a big GLASS bottle of whiskey, and if you've watched as many old westerns as I have, well, you're armed. I have a few pairs of shoes that could do some damage too, no modifications necessary.   

I appreciate safety measures, and am glad they're screening for knives and things. BUT it's gone mad, and flying has become almost intolerable, especially with a family of small children.

Thanks for posting this!

Susan

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I love this sentence. 

It just CAPTURES the situation in the most brilliant way. 

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