What’s Wrong with This Carry-On Bag?

There’s a total of 10 errors in the way this carry-on bag has been packed. 
Test your packing prowess by finding as many mistakes as you can, in 
terms of both TSA rules and packing strategy. Then scroll down to see the
 answers.

Wrapped Gift


Air travelers should never pack wrapped gifts in their carry-on bag or their
 checked luggage. The TSA may have to rip them open for screening, 
destroying your beautiful wrapping-paper masterpiece in the process.
 The solution? Put your goodies in gift bags, or wrap them at your destination.

Multiple Pairs of Jeans

Jeans are one of the bulkiest clothing items a traveler can pack. 
They’re heavy and thick, taking up significant suitcase space. If 
you must bring jeans, stick to a single pair and wear them on the plane.

Loose Mascara and Lip Gloss

Mascara and lip gloss are items that travelers frequently forget to 
put in a quart-size zip-top bag with their other liquid and gel 
substances. Liquid foundation, eyeliner, and concealer should 
also go into this plastic bag.

Bulky Shoes

Never pack your largest clothing items when you could be wearing
 them on the plane. You might not win any fashion awards in your Gore-Tex hiking boots, but who’s going to be looking at your feet on a flight anyway? Save 
yourself some suitcase space—and weight—by wearing your bulky
 shoes instead of putting them in your carry-on bag.

Stack of Guidebooks

A glut of guidebooks is on SmarterTravel’s list of what not to pack. If you
 must bring a guidebook, limit yourself to one. Furthermore, books 
should never be stacked. The TSA requests that travelers spread 
out their books and documents to make for easier screening. This
 also helps distribute weight more evenly throughout your carry-on bag.

Oversized Bottles and Bag

For frequent travelers, this one’s obvious: All liquids and gels must 
be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces, and those containers
 must be inside one clear, quart-sized, zip-top bag. The bag 
pictured here is gallon-sized, which won’t pass airport security.

Oversized Scissors

Scissors with blades that are four inches or longer are not permitted 
in carry-on luggage, says the TSA. The scissors pictured here would
 most likely be confiscated.

Wine

A bottle of wine like this one might be permitted if you purchased it 
internationally from a duty-free store and it’s in a transparent, 
tamper-evident bag. You must also have a receipt showing that you
 made the purchase within the past 48 hours. But a freestanding 
bottle like this one won’t fly. Cushion it well and stow it in a checked 
bag, instead.

Snow Globe

snow globe might make a charming souvenir from your tour of German 
Christmas markets, but the screeners won’t be so charmed if you try to
 carry one this size through security. From the TSA’s website: “Snow 
globes that appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid 
(approximately tennis ballsize) can be packed in your carry-on bag ONLY if the entire snow globe
including the base, is able to fit into your one quart-sized, resealable plastic bag.” Got a large snow globe like this one? You’ll have to check it.

Full Water Bottle

There’s nothing wrong with packing a refillable bottle in your 
carry-on bag—in fact, it’s a great way to save money on overpriced 
drinks at the airport. But you can’t fill it until after you go through security.

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