• SSTF
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    13
    edit-2
    14 hours ago

    Just bring an empty bottle and fill it up on the other side of security.

    The rules as written don’t matter unless you have spare time to spend arguing with the brick wall that is an obstinate TSA agent, and even then good luck. Not too long ago I had to give up a reusable bottle with ice in it. There was a small amount of water from ice melting while in line for security, but clearly much under the limit. TSA agent pointed out how high up the water was in the bottle (which wasn’t that far even, maybe an inch and most of the volume was taken up by ice). It was ridiculous. No I wasn’t allowed to just drink it, no I wasn’t allowed to just dump the ice out. The choice was give up the bottle or go back through security again.

    I was correct, and the agent had a bad grasp of what an allowed amount of liquid in ice looks like, but in practical terms she won because I had a flight to catch and she didn’t.

    • ALERT
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      fedilink
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      13 hours ago

      I wish they checked the presidential candidates as thoroughly as they checked the empty bottles in passengers’ bags.

    • @owatnext
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      014 hours ago

      When I fly, there’s usually like, a sink thing near the TSA jawn. Couldn’t you have dumped it out in there or was there not one?

      Also, I would have just shoved it in a bag. I have gone over the limit several times (by kind of a lot) and only have been bothered about it a single time going Sydney → LA. (Or maybe the other way around, I forget.)

      • SSTF
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        edit-2
        14 hours ago

        Couldn’t you have dumped it out in there or was there not one?

        Guess.

        Also, I would have just shoved it in a bag.

        This accomplishes what? The only bags you have available at a TSA checkpoint are carry on. I didn’t check it because was keeping the bottle with me for the flight, that was the whole point.

        It was a cheap bottle and I replaced it on the company dime anyway, so for me it wasn’t a real loss. What I was illustrating was that right or wrong, if a stupid TSA agent makes a decision, you are in for a headache.

        I’ve also had them also almost take Torx bits (they insisted they were drill bits) and a multimeter away from me. Those ones I actually waited for a supervisor to show up and let me through, but it again illustrates that you aren’t dealing with the top of the class here.

        • @owatnext
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          214 hours ago

          I see your point, the agents aren’t really well trained typically. It is less than ideal. If creates hassle for your average flyer and doesn’t significantly improve safety. The fact that I have taken liquid through over the limit demonstrates that.

          And yes, I meant your carry on bag. I didn’t even think that could have been interpreted in another way. I only fly carry on so the thought of checked bags wasn’t in my mind lol.