Wasn't sure whether to post this here or under 'security' - so have covered both!
As a regular business traveller, I have started using a new product which has been designed specifically to carry liquids through airport security.
It is called 'SecurityWashbag' and it complies with all the TRANSEC (UK) and TSA (USA) requirements.
I think it was initially intended for air crew but I have found it SO much better than carrying toiletries and make up in a damned sandwich bag!
For more info and to order, see
www.securitywashbag.com
I can highly recommend it for those of us who have to pass through airport security on a regular basis.
TLC-not! - 03/10/2008 21:21 GMT
What a great solution! I just ordered one. Thanks for the tip and safe travels.
TLC-not!
http://biztravelwoes.blogspot.com
canoepunkie - 14/01/2009 13:18 GMT
Looks good! - However I use a similar product that I picked up in Marks and Spencer's...
travelwell - 20/01/2010 20:54 GMT
thanks thats great, does anyone know if anyone manufactures a clear plastic hard case which can be used for the same reasons ? bags always get wripped, think Tupperware, small and flat and the same capacity as the plastic bags allowed.
Tim2sms - 20/01/2010 21:29 GMT
Boots the Chemist (UK) have some clear bottles that are within airline regulation size. You can decant shampoo etc from larger bottles into them. The Boots bottles are see though has well. They would make a good additions to the bag you have referenced.
The 2010 model security washbag is now available - www.securitywashbag.com
thanks to Ladytraveller for that washbag link - just what I needed. Can anyone advise whether mascara has to go in the clear plastic bag? and what about solid stick deodorants? and contact lenses in the bubbles with liquid that they are packed in?
Can't answer any of those questions newtraveller (some worry amongst the committee if I could!) but just to say I've actually reverted to using the plain plastic bags they hand out at security. The security washbag was much stronger and did feel slightly larger in capacity although perhaps psychological, but I felt it was attracting attention from the security staff, perhaps just the novelty, but whatever their reason it generally took me longer to pass through security, with a knock-on effect on passengers behind me, as they held a confab with each other over the bag. Once it got the full monty swab treatment.
And whilst on the subject of distraction amongst the security staff, once at Liverpool John Lennon there was a somewhat scantily clad young female passenger ahead of me in the queue, who drew significantly admiring attention from the whole security staff not only in that and the adjacent channels on either side, but the whole hall of predominantly male staff on duty at the time. A somewhat concerning potential decoy although I'm sure she was entirely genuine and just getting into the Mediterranean spirit a bit earlier than was really necessary. Well seeing she wasn't on my FR flight to Scotland anyway!!
simmy700 - 02/11/2010 00:51 GMT
The Marks and Spencer version is much better in my opinion.
From what I remember it cost me about £5 and I got 3 different sized bags. I use the smallest for the liquids that I need to take on board and the largest for the liquids I need in my case.
Not sure if the price has changed. I paid for mine about 2 years ago. I pass through airport security on average once a week, never had any problems and all the bags are still in good condition. They all have zips instead of the press and seal sandwich style bags. Happy to recommend to anybody.
VintageKrug - 02/11/2010 09:35 GMT
I am a big fan of the MUJI clear wash bag:
www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=18&Sub=79&PID=3402
A snip at £3,50.
They are available online or in Selfridges.
They even have MUJI in the US.
Kaicat75 - 02/11/2010 09:55 GMT
I am just wondering if the size is really that important of the bag. As last week on two flights i saw security just advise people to use more than one bag if they were carrying to many liquids/gels/makeup etc to fit in one bag
Official regulations on size below - individual security staff may feel they want to 'interpret' these rules in different ways and apply more lenient standards:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/AirtravelintheUK/DG_078179
Thanks to everyone for their advice about clear plastic washbags. I've gone with the M&S one for now, but will remember about the Muji version. I've also established that masacara should be in the clear bag. Guess I'll put the contact lenses and solid deodorant in their too, just in case. Now I just need to work out how to activate the combination lock on the Delsey suitcase I've inherited from my mother and I'll be all set. Thanks everyone!
Kaicat75 - 04/11/2010 09:23 GMT
Newtraveller - when in doubt put every form of makeup and beauty product in the clear bag, it saves time in the long run.
New Traveller, solid deo does not have to go in the transparent bag.
Where in M&S would I find these? What department? Are they called 'Travel Liquids' bags?
Thanks
I found the M&S bags in the toiletries section. They are also on their website if you google "clear plastic washbags".
By the way, the medium size one is 8x6x1.5 inches and holds just over a litre, so probably is the best one to use. The large one is 7.5x8.5x3.5 and holds way 2+litres, the small one 6.25x5x1.25
Despite my previous hassles with the Security Washbag, I fell for their Xmas BOGOF offer and decided to give them one more chance.
LGW North 1/1/11 - I had the SW with gels, liquids and pastes ready on entering the security area, to be warned by the girl in the sentry box that they may want me to decant the contents into the standard freebie plastic bag, with which I was duly supplied. Managed to refrain from comment, just wishing that the guy behind me was a lawyer for or the CEO of Security Washbag.com.
Up to the x-ray machine and the guy on my channel fancies himself a bit on Live at The Apollo, asking for leftover mince pies to go in the tray as well. He doesn't like the old Security Washbag - at least to his credit he gave me a degree of explanation when I said (politely) that the supplier quoted them as DfT (and TSA) approved. "Ah, but the DfT has changed its mind Sir. You see, this new machine we've got called Sabre is designed to detect explosive vapours, and a thicker bag like that won't allow them to escape" (I recall the term to be diffusion - but didn't quiz him on his chemistry). So my £4.99 proprietary bag got the full forensic analysis.
That's the last straw, and I now use (both of) them in hold luggage only to prevent any liquid contents from spilling over clothes.
This guy's explanation did seem to have some scientific basis, although other passengers were also getting a bit fed up with the number of new rules he was appearing to make up on the spot, and you could see that his colleagues' body language just spelled out "Dictaphone".
I would like to write to Security Washbag (www.securitywashbag.com) which still quotes that the bag is fully TRANSEC (UK) compliant - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Foreigntravel/AirTravel/index.htm
But I know that BT and VK are the higher authorities.
It's the typical situation at security;
a) if you don't like it, get the train
b) if you dare question anything we'll get the police etc
c) we never discuss security for obvious reasons
Any lack of scientific rigour is just dismissed as a form of c) and questioning of such is the proverbial abuse / assaults on staff which will not be tolerated, and leads to b)
Strangely the same bag was ok at another UK airport the day before. So presumably the DfT changed its mind to celebrate the arrival of 2011.
Worldair - 25/09/2011 14:24 GMT
I bought a liquids bag from securitywashbag.com in July/2011 and less than 2 months later, the zipper is broken!! I emailed them to hear their comments about this unacceptable situation for a £4.99 item - but no reply from them...
VintageKrug - 25/09/2011 14:34 GMT
No problem with my MUJI bag; five continents and 18 months and still going strong:
www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=18&Sub=79&PID=3402
A snip at £3,50.
