Airlines and your carry on face paint kit?
by Gary Cole

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It is a common thread on the list, particularly before face paint conventions on what is or is not allowed to be brought aboard the plane/jet. I thought I'd add this faq a summary as well as a good section of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) listing that can be found in total at www.tsa.gov . The reality is the TSA rules change from time to time so you need to check the government site for up to date guidelines. To make it even more frustrating you might be able to breeze through security on one day and get a lot of hassle the next. I travel more than most and I routinely carry on my paint kit. The most important thing for me is to remember to pack my glitter gels into the required one quart zip lock bag. All liquids and gels must be properly labeled and be under 3 ounces each. If you recant them into another container with no label then expect them to be taken away. Most of us use cake paints of some brand. I was told by one TSA officer that if they can press their finger into the cake (like on black or white on a warmer day) and leave a finger print then it is considered a liquid. With this definition all would have to fit inside the one quart size zip lock allowed. I've had them question me with over one hundred 18ml paints but in the end they let me through. This is the frustrating part as if your particular officer is having a bad day then you could receive grief that you would not normally get. In the end my suggestion is to pack your liquids into the checked bags and remember the bottom line is those TSA officers are really there to protect us all. I also advise you to be as courteous as possible. Getting testy with one of them generally will work against you. Then again, on the other hand, you should not have to take grief off of them either. Know the rules and go from there. I travel with one of those temperpedic neck pillows since I have a bad neck and I got grief over that in my carry on. The first comment I allowed to simply go in one ear and out the next. When pressed again I simply said "the last I heard pillows were not on the banned list." I got a dirty look but they let me board, pillow and all.

It all can get frustrating because it is easier to kill someone by stabbing them with your fine round brush than with that glitter gel container but hey, I do not make the rules. This leads me to the other items. Artists brushes are allowed and that might be a good thing. On the long flight from Dallas to London good old American Airlines opted to have my checked suitcase upside down and it ruined quite a few of my sable brushes. Nine hours plus is a long time upside down with pressure. For checked luggage it is best to store your brushes in a roll up bag of some sort.

Avoid liquids like spirit gum or aerosols as these are banned. Anything on the banned list should be avoided in your carry on and when in doubt look at the long list below.

When possible I would put most of what you take on a trip in the checked baggage. The more you carry on, the longer it will take you as well as others in line to clear security. In some airports like Orlando, Chicago and London these security lines can be quite long. Also those flying internationally need to understand the rules for carry on can change. The UK has slightly different rules for carried on luggage than the USA. In a recent trip to Scotland I carried on my backpack (that carries my laptops and other business essentials) and two small boxes. All were allowed from my flight from Dallas to London. When I changed carriers to go from London to Scotland I found out only my back pack and ONE box was allowed and it was too late to check the other box. I was forced to dump one in the trash or somehow make it all fit into one box. I had a very stuffed back pack on the second flight.

Well that should be enough to get you safely on board the jet. If you need more details or you are having problems sleeping at night you can check all of the TSA comments below. So put your seats upright, turn off all electronics and see if you can get away with painting the child sitting next to you on the flight. We want to see photos when you do.

Gary Cole

all of the following came directly from www.tsa.gov which is the official site for the TSA.....

What To Know Before You Go

Permitted and Prohibited Items

• What Can I Bring?
• Makeup, Medication, Personal Items & Special Needs Devices
• Electronic Devices
• Sharp Objects
• Sporting Goods
• Guns & Firearms
• Tools
• Martial Arts & Self Defense Items
• Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
• Food & Drinks
• Other Items

Notify me when there are updates to this page!

What Can I Bring?

On Tuesday, September 26, 2006, TSA adjusted the ban on liquids, gels, and aerosols.

Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.

• Click here to download our
  prohibited items brochure
  (pdf, 131 KB)

The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Please keep in mind that these rules were developed after extensive research and understanding of current threats. They are intended to help air travelers bring essential toiletries and other liquids, gels and aerosols for short trips. If you need larger amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols such as toothpaste or shampoo, please place them in your luggage and check them with your airline.

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):

• Baby formula, breast milk, and juice
• All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
• Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
• Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
• Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
• Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are allowed reasonable amounts over 3 ounces of the items above in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to perform the following:

1. Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.

We have also taken steps to ensure the security of the boarding areas after you pass through our security checkpoints. Therefore, any liquid, gel or aerosol, such as coffee or soda, purchased in the secure area beyond the security checkpoint is allowed aboard your plane. Please note that if you have a layover and are re-screened at your connecting airport the current rules (see above) for carry-ons apply. For more details, get the 3-1-1 for carry-ons.

A printable version of the prohibited items listing is available. Prohibited Items List (PDF 164 KB)

To effectively communicate important security information, we translated these changes into a variety of languages. Security Information In Other Languages

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids.

We ask for your cooperation in the screening process by being prepared before you arrive. We also ask that you follow the guidelines above and try not to over-think these guidelines. Please pack liquids, gels, and aerosols in your checked baggage even if you do not normally check a bag.

In addition to liquids, gels, and aerosols numerous other potentially dangerous items are not permitted in carry-on baggage. We strongly encourage travelers to read more about previously prohibited items to avoid complications during screening.

To help you understand and navigate the new security measures, please click one of the links below.

• Know Before You Go Travel Card (pdf, 528Kb)
• Bag And Zip For A Short Trip (pdf, 2.8Mb)
• The Right Bag For Your Carry-on (pdf, 1.2Mb)
• Screening Step-By-Step (wmv, 3Mb)
• Female business traveler (wmv, 3Mb)
• Male business traveler (wmv, 3Mb)
• Traveling with a baby or small child (wmv, 3Mb)
• Travelers with special needs (wmv, 3Mb)

It is unlikely that additional changes in the liquid, aerosol and gel policy will be made in the near future.

This security regimen applies to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.

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