THE TSA has issued a warning to travelers over a certain type of drink that is banned on flights.
Earlier this year the TSA banned passengers from placing power banks or lithium batteries in baggage checked in to the hold, following a series of fires and explosions.
There are 494 items that passengers are prohibited from taking on board flights[/caption]
Most alcohol is less than 140 proof, so is fine to take on board[/caption]
However, this is just one of 494 things that are actually banned from US airplanes.
One item that travelers are banned from taking on flights, whether its in their cabin bag or in checked luggage is alcohol over 140 proof.
TSA’s banned list states: “Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol (over 140 proof), including grain alcohol and 151 proof rum.”
Standard bottles of spirits, such as vodka or rum are around 80 proof, so passengers will be fine to take these on board.
An alcoholic beverage over 140 proof would have to have over 70% alcohol in it.
An example of an alcoholic beverage with such a high proof would be absinthe, which can be up to 89%.
Among the other items banned on flights are matches, gasoline, dynamite and party poppers.
Passengers are also unable to take sparklers, air bags or tear gas on board.
The items which have newly been banned, following the TSA’s latest piece of legislation are:
- Power banks
- Cell phone battery charging cases
- Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
- Cell phone batteries
- Laptop batteries
- External batteries
- Portable rechargers
The TSA website states: “Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags.
“Spare lithium batteries, which include both power banks and phone chargers, are prohibited in checked luggage.”
Passengers can still take power banks and lithium batteries on flights with them, but they have to be taken on to the plane with you, as part of your carry on luggage.
This follows the news that Southwest Airlines has become the first US airline to require passengers to keep portable chargers “in plain sight”, instead of in cabin bags.
The airline explained that keeping these items in full view makes it easier for crew members to intervene in case the lithium-ion batteries overheat or catch fire.
TSA’s 3-1-1 rule
The Transportation Security Administration regulates the amount of liquids, aerosols, and gels that flyers can bring through airport security with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
The 3-1-1 rule consists of the following:
Each container of liquid has to be 3.4 ounces or less.
All liquids have to fit in one clear, quart-sized, resealable bag.
Finally, passengers can only bring one bag of liquids each.
“Southwest will introduce a first-in-industry Safety policy on May 28 requiring customers to keep portable charging devices visible while in use during flight,” a statement from the airline said.
“Using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted.
“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of its customers and employees.”
Back in January, an Air Busan flight in South Korea with nearly 180 passengers was evacuated after a fire broke out before takeoff.
South Korea’s transport ministry revealed that the blaze was caused by a power bank with deteriorated insulation.
The airline subsequently banned the gadget from cabin bags, with passengers forced to keep them on their person at all times.
