We- me, wife and kiddies- were in the security check counter. As usual, we had packed   Idlies with chutney in a Tiffin box for kids. There, the hand bag was kept aside after screening by the officer. Oops. We had to open the bag, and show the contents of the Tiffin box .  The Idlies got thru safely, but alas, not the chutney. The reason, it could be a ‘potential’ weapon for hijacking the plane!  We had to show him drinking the Jeera water   from our bottle, to demonstrate indeed it was consumable water.  

Hearing some giggling,  I was tempted to look to my left side. Ah, there were some European tourist girls who were asked to remove the batteries from the camera. They  reluctantly did so, though tried to argue. One poor fellow had something gift-wrapped in his hand. We all felt sorry for him while the officer (who might have  had a guilty feeling to do so) was tearing  the glittering paper cover.  

Those scenes happened a year back. Now situation changed, and warrants more stringent security measures.  

One such recent restriction which seems to make travelers more angry is about size of containers (bottle, tubes etc). We can carry maximum 3 Ounce per container (er.. such a small quantity?!!). Who travel with kids-especially infants-, knows how difficult this is, as they can’t even carry a bottle of medicine (without prescription), creams etc. We tend to become angry with the officers, but they are bound to do their duty. And remember, it needs to have manufacturer’s labels on such containers of creams and other toiletries . 

This rule is called 3-1-1 rule. Means, 3 ounce/1 quart/1 bag.  All liquids, gels, aerosols have to be less than or equal to 3 ounce containers. (Some smart guys tried to roll-up the squeezed bottom to suit to ‘3 ounce’ rule, but were caught and disallowed). Part 1-1  is, that each passenger can have only one zip-top-bag to carry these liquids. That means you can’t carry the liquids in two or three bags. Thus made 3-1-1!  Some of the exceptions being, Baby food for a traveling toddler; Breast milk in quantities greater than 3 ounces ‘as long as it is declared for inspection’ (of course in separate container!) 

Recently I read about the scientific reasoning behind the 3- Ounce rule. Seems there was some liquid explosion plot earlier, to blow up flight. Terrorists planned secret formulation which would get around screening measures. So in Britain and US, they initially banned liquid altogether. The laboratory tests helped them to realize that a container has to be of certain size for an effective explosion. A 3-ounce container fitting to a small size bag do not have “enough critical diameter” to blow up a plane. Hence, the size of the container is important. Rather, it is more important. 

Who frequently travel abroad will be aware of such increased checks and controls now-a-days. Though we think such checks and restrictions – at least some- are ridiculous and causing difficulty to us, if we dig deep, realize that the controls are for our safety. Once you are up there grazing the clouds, you are helpless… and pray  God not to happen anything bad! (I had the bad habit of thinking ‘what-will-happen-now-if-somebody-gets up-with a pistol’!).  

So next time I know not to bite my teeth in anger when I pack my bag (which is already in the vicinity – coming weekend, I am supposed to travel long hours).