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TSA: Toiletries in Small Quantities Not a Threat
The Transportation Security Administration has partially re-allowed, after nearly a month-and-a-half ban, travelers to carry-on certain liquids and/or gel products. Per the Forbes article:
"We now know enough to say that a total ban is no longer needed from a security point of view," said Kip Hawley, head of the Transportation Security Administration, at a news conference at Reagan National Airport.
He said that most liquids and gels that air travelers purchase in secure areas of airports will now be allowed on planes. He called the new procedures a "common sense" approach that would maintain a high level of security at airports but ease conditions for passengers.
Passengers are allowed to carry-on certain toiletries as long as they are three ounces or less and can all "comfortably" fit into a 1-quart, clear plastic bag. TSA released the following poster to aid would-be travelers with the new rules:
Those toiletries do look comfortable enough in that bag, but aren't liquids and gells still potentailly dangerous? Apparently, not as a bomb: it's improbable that terrorists could successfully create and explode a liquid bomb aboard an aircraft. Despite such improbability, by limiting passnegers to a plastic baggy with minimal quantities of the bare essentials, TSA is playing it safe.
Or are they? Perhaps TSA's Kip Hawley should rent Tim Burton's Batman. If you'll recall from this film and as noted at Wikipedia, the Joker had certain evil plans involving toiletries:
Napier, in the meantime, is not dead but horribly disfigured, with white skin, green hair, and a permanent grin. Already erratic, the trauma has apparently driven him completely insane. Calling himself "The Joker", he kills Grissom and usurps his criminal empire. His first scheme is to spread terror in the city by creating hygiene products that are dangerous when mixed. Following the death of a news anchor on-air, the city becomes paralyzed with fear.
Clearly, toiletries in any quantity can be deadly when mixed. Perhaps this partial lift on toiletries isn't such a good idea after all.