The Association for Airline Passenger Rights, (AAPR) today urged the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) to end its “security theater” and lift the ban on carry-on liquids. Security Theater refers to “security measures that make people feel more secure without doing anything to actually improve their security.”[1]
“The current policy banning passengers from bringing liquids onto the plane is probably one of the least effective security screenings being employed by the TSA at our nation’s airports,” said Brandon M. Macsata, Executive Director of the Association for Airline Passenger Rights. “FBI tests have demonstrated terrorists could not bring down a plane with small amounts of liquids, and for years leading security consultants have questioned the effectiveness of the liquid ban, so it is time to end it. Ending the ban would allow TSA agents to better focus on more pressing potential security threats.”
Macsata pointed out that TSA’s 3-1-1 policy already allows liquids on the plane, as does the medical/prescription exemption, not to mention that the very first thing seen by passengers who are forced to throw away their 20 ounce water or soda bottle: convenience stores selling all kinds of liquids. Additionally, technologies now exist to test liquids, which are already being deployed overseas in the European Union.
The current TSA 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure.[2]
