Considering that the TSA website at www.tsa.gov lists only imperial units, it seems odd that the American Airlines restrictions on "travel from the United States and Canada" "from/through the EU" (updated 10 November) use a round metric volume ( <http://www.aa.com> www.aa.com):
"Liquids must be carried in individual containers not exceeding 3.4 ounces/100 ml. "All liquid containers must be carried in a separate clear plastic, zip-top bag (see example at right) that does not exceed 8 inches x 8 inches (20 cm x 20 cm) or is quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed." (The AA.com website also lists some odd volumes of 3 oz and 5 oz for certain items entering China, Japan, and India.) Delta Airlines, on which I travelled domestically this week, states on their website: "Limit all liquids, gels, aerosols, and pastes to 3.4 oz/100ml size containers." It would seem that US airlines are using the metric EU regulations while the TSA is using imperial volumes that are lower. How very odd! Surely the TSA must realize the inconsistency in this and should understand the confusion that they are causing to both domestic and international travelers. I am certain that the US airlines do not believe that they are not in compliance with the TSA regulations, even though they allow 11.1% more volume than the TSA allows. The 100 mL size container is a typical hard metric size available in the EU and in the US (for products from or sold in the EU). If a traveler to the US from the EU brings in 100 ml items in a 20 cm x 20 cm, 1 L plastic zip-bag, it would be ridiculous to have these items confiscated when the traveler departs from the US to return home if a TSA employee applied the TSA regulation rather than the rule of the airline for which he was screening. (The TSA bag size is a peculiar and confusing 8 in x 7.5 in rather than the round 8 in x 8 in or 20 cm x 20 cm of the airlines.) I would not buy any personal hygiene item that is not in hard metric packaging, so when I fly on AA from Boston to London on Monday, my ~1 L bag will contain 50 mL and 100 mL bottles and tubes. Brent _____ -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Sent: Tuesday, 14 November 2006 18:05 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:37487] letter to TSA re "3-1-1" liquid carry-on rule Dear Transportation Security Administration Officials, I am writing about a problem that may arise concerning your 3-1-1 carry-on rule for liquid products (http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm). The posted rules contain no metric units. Please consider that almost all visitors to the U.S. arrive from countries that have fully implemented the metric system of measurement. As they travel across the nation, these passengers may not understand the 3 fluid ounce limitation on package size and one-quart limitation on the zipper bag which is to contain these at the security checkpoint. I wish to suggest that you include the approximate metric equivalents of 90 mL and one liter, respectively, on your airport signs. This is also necessary because the metric system is the preferred system of measurement for trade and commerce in the U.S., and should therefore be included in all U.S. government publications. Sincerely, Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Public Relations Director U.S. Metric Association, Inc. 3609 Caldera Blvd, Apt 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
