Yesterday, I wrote about how LAX is joining SFO in banning single-use bottles of water. The news is sparking mixed reactions, but I do think this is the future of most airports; California usually leads the way. That’s why travelers should bring their own empty bottles instead of buying expensive heavy glass ones at the airport. By bringing your own, you can easily fill up at a hydration station or water fountain post security. I’ve been doing this for years as it saves money and time (waiting in long concession lines). RELATED: My Favorite Water Bottle For Travel
FYI: I have multiple travel water bottles at home that I switch off packing in my carry-on. They include the eco-friendly water bottle that was in my Maui hotel room in January (pictured above), a collapsible Hydaway bottle, a LifeStraw in case there’s ever an environmental emergency or I’m going to a third world country, a Water-To-Go bottle made from sugar cane and sometimes a regular plastic bottle if I used a car service and I drank it on the way to the airport. There are hundreds of bottles to choose from so you need to find the one that best fits your lifestyle.
This reminded me of a question I once received from a reader: “Question on water bottles: I’ve heard that one can freeze a bottle of water and then it is eligible to go through TSA. Is it true?” Benita
Here’s my response: Hi Benita, You heard right! I wrote a tip about this in 2017, which you can read here. But in short, according to the TSA website, “Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.”
I also dd a search on Twitter and found this response by the TSA answering a similar question.
1: Great question! Frozen water is allowed in carry-on bags. The containers can be more than 3.4oz each as long as the item is completely frozen solid when presented for screening. If it’s slightly melted, slushy or there’s liquid…
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) November 2, 2022
Just know that like in every business, not all employees are created equal or know what they’re talking about. Look at one passenger posted on Twitter:
I saw a woman break the brain of a TSA worker bringing a frozen water bottle through:
TSA: no liquids
Her: it’s solid
TSA: it could be liquid though
Her: anything could be liquid if you get it hot enough
TSA: … I’m throwing it out or you’re not getting on your flight— Cylon Musk 💉💉💉💉 (@harrissound) March 19, 2023
If you ever encounter a TSA agent who tells you you can’t bring a frozen bottle of water through security, calmly and nicely ask to speak to their supervisor. They will know the rule. And if they don’t, then bookmark this tip so you can show them the rule that’s linked to the TSA website as mentioned above.
GOOD TO KNOW: Believe it or not, you can always ask TSA your security-related questions on Twitter. They do a phenomenal job responding to questions during work hours.
KEEP READING
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I was traveling with my sister a couple of years ago and she had a frozen bottle of water in her carry on bag. The security line was so long that by the time we got to the check point her bottle had some condensation on it. They stopped her
because of her melting bottle of water and an hour later finally let her through without the water. We almost missed our flight.
Had frozen solid ice packs surrounding some lobsters wrapped in newspaper and packed for carry on by a Massachusetts seafood market. Had the ice packs confiscated by TSA at BOS. Clueless?
I personally had a frozen bottle of water that was confiscated by TSA. After that experience I did try again.
I just bring the empty water bottle and then fill it up at the fountain….. When I remember…
but I love your tips
Security rules differ in other countries. For instance even though the signs at Amsterdam said that liquids are ok, what they don’t tell you is that it only applies to plastic bottles. I had a high end metal bottle confiscated and the security personnel were so new that they didn’t even know why they were told to confiscate it.
Definitely not the case in the early days of the restrictions. I had solid frozen Wholly Guacamole bricks rejected in Kauai. The TSA agent pulled the “liquid” line and I pointed out it was frozen solid to which the reply was “but it was liquid” (really?). Then she told me I could eat it prior to boarding to which I AGAIN pointed out it was frozen solid. No go!