The federal Transportation Security Administration will ease restrictions on liquid carry-on items at major U.S. airports next year and lift them altogether by 2010, according to the agency's top executive.
Writing at www.tsa.gov/blog, TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said that new advanced technology, or "AT," X-ray equipment should be in major airports by next fall. That will allow size restrictions on carry-on liquids to be lifted, although passengers will still have to place them in a separate bin.
By late 2010, travelers will be able to keep non-hazardous fluids in any size container enclosed in their carry-on bags while passing through security.
"When it comes to liquids, everybody involved with checkpoint operations -- passengers, airlines, airports and TSA employees -- agrees there has to be a better way," Hawley wrote.
TSA in August 2006 imposed restrictions on fluids in airline carry-on luggage after authorities thwarted a plot to bomb trans-Atlantic passenger fights with liquid explosives. Since then U.S. passengers have been limited to 3.4-ounce or smaller vials of liquids that can fit into a single, one-quart plastic Ziploc bag.
TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis said the new AT equipment was being deployed first to the nation's busiest airports. She did not know when it would come to Pittsburgh International Airport, which last year ranked 45th in terms of passenger traffic.
JoAnn Jenny, spokeswoman for Pittsburgh International Airport, said local passengers would welcome the change.
"It would definitely assist those who chose not to check their bags, especially with the fees for checked baggage," Jenny said. "It would give people more options when packing, and allow them to save some money."
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