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Save/ShareIs your toothpaste less likely to be detected by TSA screeners if it's Crest? The always entertaining (well, maybe not when he's trying to sell a cruise) David Rowell of The Travel Insider had this to say in his e-newsletter:
I included an email from a reader last week who wrote about never having toothpaste detected in his carry on bag. This caused a flood of other readers to write in and say 'me too' and to list other liquids that they've also repeatedly carried in their carry on bags without declaring, and never getting caught. It also brought an interesting response from someone-who-shall-be-nameless in the industry, who writes:
"Most x-ray systems can NOT pick up toothpaste. Why?…. Because the newer packaging is made of light weight and flexible plastic. The new machines can’t see it.
In days of old, most toothpaste tubes were made with plastic coatings and aluminum. In fact some are still made this way. Colgate is a mixed bag, depending on the product; Crest is best because the smaller tubes are the new packaging. In short, your reader is lucky based on product design changes and most likely the product he selects. To be honest I hate the Crest products, but I carry it on all my business trips. Ahem, with the same result as your readers. Also the ingredients in the toothpaste make a difference as well. Some products are more dense and will always get nailed.
There are other tricks as well with other liquid and gel products…"
[and this is David writing again] Which makes one think there's a different reason why the TSA not only limits the liquids you carry, but demands you take them out of your carry-on and show them separately. Could it be they require you to take them out because, if you don't, they can't see them on the X-ray machine?
[and now it's me again] All I know is that it drives me nuts that toothpaste makers seem to sell toothpaste in everything but a three-ounce container. The so-called travel size barely gets me through a day.
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Seriously, half the time I go through security I simply forget to take out my carefully-packed 32 oz. (I've measured!) Ziploc bag. I've never been nabbed for it, and I carry a tube of Colgate I bought in Namibia.
Posted By Bob Mathews on May 2, 2008, 11:39 AM
Use tooth powder.
Posted By NormKerlin on May 3, 2008, 12:26 AM
Well good for the both of you that your toothpaste were able to elude the x-ray machines and the inspectors. However, as in my case, I learned my lesson to declare and take it out before checking in. Mine was caught and did have some trouble having to explain which costs me a lot of time and stress.
Posted By dreamboracay.com on May 3, 2008, 5:08 AM
This raises the question again of why we have this stupid regulation, when it turned out that the original threat was not credible, and liquids and gels are not dangerous. They got rid of the regulation right away in England, where the original incompetent conspiracy was hatched.
Posted By SN on May 5, 2008, 12:34 PM
Another interesting solution to toothpaste--I use the purest oatmeal soap I can find as a dentifrice. It has NO inedible ingredients, 1/3 of a bar lasts forever, and it travels like a dream.
Posted By bobette jane on May 5, 2008, 12:40 PM
Toothpaste what about the last remaining smokers we always get our lighter threw security! It's kinda funny going out to smoke and fellow smokers ask how we got our lighters threw security!
Posted By karin on May 5, 2008, 12:44 PM
I carry an "almost used" up tube of toothpaste with me. I figure that it is less than 3 ounces.
Posted By Barbara Shaw on May 5, 2008, 12:48 PM
Anybody ever notice toothpaste is measured by weight, but the TSA rules go by fluid ounces. Therefore, toothpaste should not be covered unless the TSA melts it to show how many fluid ounces it is. I asked a TSA agent at ORD about that and he said I was right, and had never thought about that. Guess no one ever fought it. Also, the TSA aid liquids, aerosols, and gels. Some toothpaste is a paste, so it shouldn't be covered regardless.
Posted By Randy Handt on May 5, 2008, 1:17 PM
Why carry toothpaste in you hand baggage? And compromise SAFETY? Yeah, go ahead give ideas to the terrorists and feel safe then? NEVER!
Posted By Goody on May 5, 2008, 1:36 PM
Interesting post, Erik, and I've wondered the same thing myself. But may I may one suggestion?
As opposed to regular text.
Posted By Bitter Root on May 5, 2008, 1:43 PM
That doesn't help, because they always seem to go through my dop kit. Last time I had legitimately forgotten I had I tube in there, since I keep the bag "always packed" for any trip -- often by car.
BUT I found a kid-type toothpaste that is the right size! If you can deal with *bubble fruit* (bubble gum) flavor, get the Colgate in 3-ounce size.
Posted By carol on May 5, 2008, 2:57 PM
Karen,
FYI: Lighters are now allowed in your carry-on bag.
Karen said "Toothpaste what about the last remaining smokers we always get our lighter threw security! It's kinda funny going out to smoke and fellow smokers ask how we got our lighters threw security!"
Posted By JT on May 5, 2008, 3:48 PM
Check your local Wal-Mart...in the "travel size" toiletries section. Colgate makes a 1.8 ounce toothpaste, and Crest has recently come out with a 2.7 ounce size. (Both are larger than the usual .75 to .85 ounce "travel" size.)
Posted By WJ on May 5, 2008, 7:53 PM
I don't think it's a good idea for a travel magazine to post how travelers can find easier ways to break the law. As harmless as you may think this article is, it doesn't benefit anyone to compromise security. I happen to think this rule and other rules are ridiculous but I follow them. If your worried about your Colgate then you don't have anything important in your life to worry about.
Posted By ery on May 5, 2008, 8:20 PM
When I was growing up, we always used tooth powder. Arm & Hammer still makes it and you will be surprised how clean your teeth feel. You can make your own with table salt and soda and it does a bang up wash, whitens the teeth and you never have to worry about any that is accidently swallowed.
Posted By Marcella Hill on May 5, 2008, 8:50 PM
Thanks for giving the terrorists more ideas on how to sneak things on flights.
Posted By Christine on May 6, 2008, 10:57 AM
Whoa! We are very concerned about the safety of passengers and we do not believe, in any way, that our tip about toothpaste somehow helps terrorists plot an attack.
I'd like to point readers who are concerned that we are helping terrorists in some way to an explanation on the TSA's website of their liquids ban. The TSA has done extensive testing to figure out what a minimum amount of liquid explosive is needed--and the various conditions for causing havoc.
Look at our government's explanations. Then come back to us and point out if we've somehow missed something despite all of our efforts:
http://www.tsa.gov/approach/mythbusters/liquids_ban.shtm
Thanks,
Sean
Blog editor
Posted By Blog Editor on May 6, 2008, 11:59 AM
I just flew from Rome to Heathrow, then from there to Dulles. I purchased a small bottle of balsamic vinegar in Rome in the duty free shop (more than 3 oz) and they packed it up for me to take in my carry on. When I went through the screening process (again) in Heathrow, they made me leave it behind. I won't say throw away-- because I suspect somebody took it home.
What's up with duty free purchases?
Posted By Debi Lander on May 6, 2008, 4:01 PM
Please, tell me I am not the only person that is tired of feeling like a criminal because I forgot to remove the toothpaste from my carry on. As for giving terrorists ideas...I'm reasonably sure they aren't surfing Budget Travel for tips! Get a grip!
Posted By felony forgetfulness on May 6, 2008, 4:47 PM
Be very careful with your formerly-large tubes of toothpaste -- they are subject to TSA condemnation and removal.
I recently traveled to Wisconsin, carrying a tube of toothpaste that was well-used, and rolled up, with a paperclip to keep it small and tight. No problems with security at BDL. I put it in my ziplock bag and sent it through security. I used it during my vacation, and by the end, there was very little in the tube (most people would have thrown it out, not wanting to force it up through the top). As I went through security at MSN, the TSA agent flipped over my plastic bag, and noticed the paperclip. He removed the nearly-empty tube, removed the paperclip and unrolled the tube. With a definite air of indignity, he declared that I "could not take the toothpaste through security". Confused, since it had already been through security at least once (though I think that it was the same tube that went to & from Ecuador when it was much fuller), I replied, "of course it can. It has been through security several times before". Now with a nasty tone, the TSA agent pointed to the size of the original tube and "proved" to me that it was too big, because containers must be 3ounces or less, and although nearly-empty, this was clearly a 6.4ounces tube. I objected, but got nowhere. The supervisor, Robert Fitzsimmons, supported his agent, who was "following protocol". The issue is container SIZE, not how much is in it. Obviously, a nearly-empty larger tube of toothpaste is a security threat, whereas a full travel size tube is not.
Ridiculous? It gets better.
The agent then attempted to hand me the tube, so that I could throw it away. My shoes had already gone through the Xray, and I had no intention of walking in stocking feet across the dirty floor to reach the trashcan across the room. I directed the agent to throw it away. He then took an empty bin, put my toothpaste tube in it, and sent it through the Xray. The female agent on the other side was confused by the bin with only the empty tube of toothpaste. She picked up the tube, holding it in the air, and asked, "what am I supposed to do with this?" The supervisor directed her to throw it away in the trashcan behind her.
So in the end, my nearly-empty formerly 6.4ounce tube of toothpaste was able to go through security. It just was too much of a security risk to accompany me on the airplane.
Posted By Torie on May 7, 2008, 1:05 AM
I had a sore throat while traveling in Italy last week. On the first leg flying home from Venice to Zurich, I was allowed to keep approx 1 oz of listerine in a (5 oz bottle) mouthwash so I could gargle during the flight. Upon landing in Zurich, the Swiss TSA promplty took it away saying it was restricted and dangerous fluids, but only after 3 agents conferred with each other. Amazing!
Posted By J Mauger on May 7, 2008, 1:20 PM
THE IQ OF THE TSA PERSONNEL WILL NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME. I WORK FOR FEMA AN TRAVEL QUITE OFTEN.. FOR ID I HAD SHOWN AN EXPIRED PHOTO ID BADGE. THE AGENT WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE PHOTO, EVEN THOUGH I ASSURED HER THAT THE BADGE HAD EXPIRED AND NOT ME. (THEY REALLY DO MAKE YOU SEARCH FOR SOME KIND OF HUMOR).
Posted By DEE DIVELEY on May 11, 2008, 12:06 PM
I AM AMAZED THAT SO MUCH TIME CAN BE SPENT ON THE INTRICACIES OF TAKING TOOTHPASTE PAST TSA. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MUCH TIME WAS SPENT BY TSA MAKING UP THESE RULES??? I TOO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT WITH A LARGER THAN ALLOWED SIZE, BUT PARTIALLY FULL, FORGOTTEN IN MY BAG, AFTER A GROUND TRIP. AS AN AIRLINE EMP, WE TVL STANDBY, THUS DO NOT WANT TO CHECK OUR BAG IN CASE WE DO NOT GET ON, SO THIS WHOLE LIQUID ISSUE IS REALLY A PROBLEM. BUT TO COMPOUND THE SIZE ISSUE, WHY CAN I TAKE AN EMPTY 20 OZ PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE THRU, AND REFILL IF AFTER SECURITY AT A FOUNTAIN WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. WHAT A WORLD WE LIVE IN...
Posted By VALERIE on May 11, 2008, 6:53 PM
Wow, what a lot of thought that has gone into this subject! Personally I don't really think it's such a big deal to put one or two mini tubes in a zip lock bag. Why start your trip with a TSA hassle? Just let these people do their jobs already so they can save their "animosities" for those issues that pose a real threat....
Posted By Dee Dee on May 13, 2008, 10:59 AM