For over two decades, travelers have had to navigate TSA’s post-9/11 security rituals — including removing shoes, unpacking laptops, and squeezing liquid toiletries into plastic baggies. But change is on the horizon.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is considering ending the long-standing 3-1-1 liquids rule, which limits carry-on liquids to 3.4 ounces per container in a single quart-sized bag. This move follows the recent rollback of the “shoes-off” policy and marks a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches airport security.
If fully implemented, the change could reshape the experience of air travel across the country — saving time, reducing passenger frustration, and potentially addressing concerns of bias and overreach in the screening process.
Why the Shift?
The decision is driven not by politics, but by technology. TSA has begun deploying advanced CT scanners that can scan bags in greater detail, allowing for more accurate threat detection without forcing passengers to unpack items or restrict liquid volume.
As Secretary Noem put it:
“We’ve got the technology. The question now is, do we have the will to modernize our process?”
These scanners, now in use at select airports, make the 3-1-1 rule technologically obsolete. The scanners offer three-dimensional imaging and threat detection powerful enough to distinguish benign items from dangerous ones — with or without size limits.
The Broader Traveler Impact
For the average traveler — businessperson, parent, student, or retiree — this could be a game-changer. No more last-minute panic over forgotten liquid containers, no more throwing out $20 hair products at the checkpoint, and no more delays from outdated screening rules.
For Black travelers and other communities that have often faced disproportionate scrutiny and profiling, fewer discretionary interactions at security checkpoints could also mean a more fair, standardized process. Streamlined policies reduce the space for subjective enforcement — a longstanding issue documented by civil rights groups and passenger reports.
Challenges Ahead
However, this transformation won’t happen overnight.
- Technology deployment is uneven. Major hubs like JFK, Atlanta, and LAX are seeing upgrades, but smaller regional airports may be years away from catching up.
- Consistency will vary. Travelers may still be subject to the liquids rule depending on where they depart, leading to confusion if the rules aren’t clearly and uniformly communicated.
- TSA PreCheck value may shift. With fewer burdens at standard checkpoints, the incentive to pay for PreCheck may decrease unless the program evolves.
Economic and Practical Benefits
The removal of the liquids rule also benefits professionals — particularly small business owners, barbers, stylists, and product-based entrepreneurs — who frequently carry specialized liquids and tools in their bags. No more loss of inventory or delays from security rejections. It also improves the travel experience for parents, caregivers, and frequent fliers who rely on personal care items and medications.
In short, it’s about time, money, and dignity.
The Bottom Line
Ending the 3-1-1 rule would represent more than a policy change — it’s a shift in mindset. It means moving from a reactive, post-9/11 security culture to a smarter, tech-enabled model rooted in precision, not inconvenience.
But like any reform, success depends on execution. Clear communication, equitable access to upgraded technology, and national consistency are key. Otherwise, what should be a win for all travelers could become a patchwork of confusion.
Until then, travelers will do what we’ve always done: pack smart, stay alert, and keep pushing for systems that treat us with both security and respect.
