Air Liquid Regulations to be Relaxed

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An X-ray device that identifies bomb-making liquids may pave the way for the relaxation of strict rules regarding fluids when traveling by air, and a shorter time at security checkpoints.

The TSA, who's researching the machine, said that it will soon be made readily available to all airports. The "hardware" behind it has already been largely accomplished, but software kinks for liquid identification are still being ironed out.

For example, researchers are figuring if the machines are precise enough to identify liquids without the passenger having to take it out of their bags.

TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said: “It’s not ready yet, but we are highly confident it will be effective.”

Already, many airports employ the X-ray machines without the software. By year's end, 600 machines would have gone into operation, and 900 by the end of the 2009 fiscal year.

Mr Hawley expects America and foreign countries to be able to ease restrictions within a year due to the machines, thanks to good lab results. This week, America and the European Union met to discuss the issue.

The current regulations are listed on the TSA website:

1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.

2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.

3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines (see details below).

The restrictions have been a painful test of patience for many travelers who endure long queues at security lines due to security screenings.

However, the TSA said that while all major airports will have the X-ray machine, small airports may have to depend on hand held devices until it's more readily available.