Airport security question
 

Can a person take an empty travel mug or thermos through airport security?

Yes, you can take it. I would pack it on top of your luggage and take it out while going through security, put it in a bin, and make sure it's open.

Yay! I hate getting coffee or tea in a plane because of the reports of the water cleanliness. I thought I would buy Sarbucks at the airport before boarding and put it in my S'well bottle to keep it hot for the trip. Was worried they would make me throw the thermos away at security, even if it was empty. That's too expensive!

I don't think you're alone here! I've seen many people take their empty containers through security.

I also just did a search and found this listing.

http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_re...h=water+bottle

As they say, everything comes down to TSA's discretion. You may not want to take a bottle that could set off any kind of metal detector. Based on what I've seen get through, I doubt anything would be a problem as long as it's empty, but of course, nothing is guaranteed.

I didn't know about that website.very cool! However, the way they worded, it sounds like TSA says it's OK, but if the individual working the checkpoint decides they don't like you / the item, they can arbitrarily tell you to throw it away.

This is one of those areas of ambiguity that make me nervous!

Exactly. It's ok, but who wants to argue with TSA if they randomly say it's not ok?

I'd recommend maybe bringing a cheap thermos you don't care too much about.

You shouldn't have any problems if it's empty. I travel with my GIL frequently, and she always a bring a bottle of Pepsi through secruity. They make her drink it before she goes through, but she keeps the bottle. I've never heard of empty bottles having any issues.

I put the thermos in the outside elastic pocket of my backpack. In Charlotte, I took it out, removed the cap and laid it next to my laptop. No problem. On the way home yesterday from Heathrow, the lady assisting everyone with security simply asked if it was empty, I said yes, and she left it in the pocket and sent the whole thing through x-ray. I saw a LOT of people sending drinking cups and thermoses through with their children's luggage, so I didn't feel as nervous as I would have..