Airport security restrictions in US on liquids under review
Speaking at a policy event hosted by The Hill, Noem said she is reevaluating several TSA procedures, including the strict liquid limits introduced nearly two decades ago.
"I'm taking a fresh look at everything TSA does," Noem said. "The liquid rule is under review — that might be the next major update we announce."
While she didn't outline specific changes or a timeline, Noem noted that improvements in airport screening systems have opened the door for more traveler-friendly policies without sacrificing security. "We've developed layered screening technologies that make it possible to rethink how we manage threats at checkpoints," she said.
Currently, TSA guidelines restrict carry-on liquids to travel-sized containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, all of which must fit in a quart-sized resealable bag. Larger containers must be placed in checked luggage, though exceptions are made for medications and infant supplies.
The restriction, in place since 2006, was enacted after authorities foiled a UK-based plot to use liquid explosives hidden in carry-on items to blow up airplanes. Since then, TSA checkpoints have become familiar scenes of passengers scrambling to finish water bottles, discard oversized toiletries, and debate whether yogurt or peanut butter qualifies as a liquid.
The 3-1-1 rule—three ounces, one bag, one person—has sparked confusion and frustration for nearly two decades, along with countless debates over whether certain food items meet the definition of a "liquid." TSA maintains a detailed online list titled "What Can I Bring?" to clarify the rules, which still catch many travelers off guard.
Noem's comments follow her announcement on July 8 that passengers are no longer required to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. That change came after a successful pilot program demonstrated that TSA's upgraded scanners and procedures could maintain safety without the need for shoe removal.
The shoe-removal policy was first implemented after Richard Reid, the so-called "shoe bomber," attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his footwear during a 2001 flight from Paris to Miami. Since then, it has become a symbol of the post-9/11 era of heightened airport security.
In her remarks, Noem described a broader vision for transforming the airport experience altogether.
"Hopefully, the future of an airport—where I'm looking to go—is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner, and go right to your plane," she said. "It takes you one minute."
Though short on specifics, Noem's statements suggest that the Trump administration may be preparing to modernize some of the most visible—and often criticized—TSA protocols. For now, travelers will have to wait and see whether their shampoo bottles and peanut butter jars will be allowed to fly again.
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