Shifting security procedures: what the heck is going on?

What's up with all these security rules rumors?

Sometimes it feels hard to keep up, doesn't it? The latest news about United States airport security procedures bears a closer look. 

A few weeks ago, travelers received the welcome news that they could leave their shoes on at TSA security checkpoints. Most of my clients have Global Entry and, by default, TSA Pre√, so they haven't taken off their shoes at a US airport in years. And given that many other countries don't have that requirement themselves, many of us haven't removed our shoes at ANY airport in ages (aside from the random occasion that a pair of shoes may set off an alert at the checkpoint).

Naturally, questions and conversation quickly turned to the 100ml limit on liquids. Would that be next? Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem teased that this regulation might be next to go.

I don't believe that this change is coming anytime soon, and I'll explain why.

First, pretty much the entire world has stood by 100ml as a global standard.

Why does this matter? Well, think for a moment about the kind of chaos and delays that could result from passengers making flight connections when they have not taken responsibility for having made themselves aware of requirements for different airports or different countries. Imagine if the TSA lets them bring a giant bottle of shampoo in a carryon bag and they're changing planes at Heathrow or Charles de Gaulle. These people will cause interminable delays for others as they wait for their bags to be inspected and for the offending bottles is excavated. I shudder at the thought. 

Second, scanning liquids in larger amounts requires CT scanning. While you have probably been at an airport that does have at least one lane with these new, more sophisticated scanners and did not have to remove anything from your bag at all (woo hoo!!), they are not yet available at all airports, and, again, having different standards can present problems. As of June 30th, TSA noted that 1016 of these scanners had been installed in 278 airports. The problem is that there are over 5,000 public airports in our country. Full deployment may take another 10 to 15 years. The good news is that in the next couple of years, enough airports (the more heavily used ones) should all have these CT scanners and the liquids rule could be relaxed at that point.

But wait, didn't I read about certain airports in Europe already allowing larger quantities of liquids?

Well....yes, you did. In the United Kingdom, there has been a rollercoaster effort to test procedures, characterized by promises, delays, rollouts, and reversals. At this point, two airports--Edinburgh and Birmingham--are now testing the new plans again, allowing up to two liters total in a passenger's carryon bag. (If you consider how many little bottles we are currently cramming into our quart-size bags, that's already close to one liter.) So it's a start!

For about five minutes in 2024, Amsterdam's Schiphol airport allowed clear plastic water bottles through security even if they contained water!  And almost as fast as that rule debuted, it was unceremoniously ushered offstage and we are back to "empty your water bottle." 

It's hard to keep up!

Are you confused yet? We'll all need to pay close attention as procedures evolve. Given the significant variation in technological infrastructure across airports at home and abroad, travelers should not anticipate a uniform implementation, regardless of how nice that would be. The experience may vary considerably depending on their airport of departure.

Suppose you started your journey in Edinburgh, but there's a stricter rule for another country where you've got a layover, and it's an airport that requires security re-clearance for connections. Or what if your original flight home was supposed to go through Paris, but you're now being rerouted through London because of a strike in France? Did you plan for London's rules, which might be different than Paris? Of course not! As travelers, we need to plan for contingencies and expect occasional hiccups.

Dear Reader, you know by now that I am a Carry-On Girl. Until everyone lifts the 3oz rule, I'm sticking with the 3oz rule. If I need more than 3oz of something, I'll use what the hotel or ship provides me, and/or buy it when I get where I'm going. (In 20 years, I think that's happened maybe twice.) And when I have a lot of liquid (ahem, wine) to bring home from a trip, I'll check my bag.

Yes, it's all a pain in the rear! But do we really want to go back to the "golden age" of travel, without any scrutiny of passengers and their gear? 

We may not enjoy security procedures, but there is no doubt that heightened airport security over my lifetime has made a difference. Those of us of a certain age can remember how often we heard about a plane being hijacked. Did you know that there were four to five hundred flights hijacked in the 1970s alone? But in the 2010s, there were a dozen, give or take. Even before 2001, we already had to walk through metal detectors and have our bags x-rayed. This formalization of security precautions in the 1970s doubtless had an impact on safety in the skies. 

No system is ever perfect, but improvements and upgrades are key to both our safety, and, when done right, our convenience gets an upgrade as well. Until we know what's next, plan ahead and pack your patience, as always!

Updates on the Groups Calendar: 

Cruises, Shanghai & Seoul, LA Music, Turkey, and more 

Wonders of Colombia with a cruise on the Magdalena River, January 2026: Sold out--wait list only!

Attention music lovers and Dallas Symphony Orchestra Guild members: I'm working on a fantastic getaway to Los Angeles for April 23-27, 2026. We will enjoy performances of both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Opera, and current plans also include visits to several museums and a tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall. This trip will be offered first to DSOG members and will probably sell out quickly. We will share trip details soon via the Guild. Don't forget to renew your Guild membership today, before the fall season kicks off a little over a month from now.

Are you a Ben Franklin graduate from New Orleans, like me? Join fellow Franklin alumni for a beautiful cruise along the picturesque Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers from July 8-15, 2026. Please visit the dedicated web page here and contact me for current promotions and pricing.

How about a trip with musician Alan Walling, of the popular Oktoberfest-style band AlpenMusikanten? We'll sail up the Danube from Budapest, Hungary to Vilshofen, Germany July 20-27, 2026. The Danube ports of call are some of my favorites, and this cruise will be a fun way to enjoy not only the outstanding variety of excursions and the delightful local entertainment provided by AmaWaterways, but also the talents of Alan himself: he'll be performing on the ship! Learn more here and reach out to me for current pricing ($1000 off, upgrade, included gratuities!).

In the final planning stages, a DOUBLE Asian City Break in late September 2026: Next year's installment in the City Break series will be a week in Shanghai paired with a week in Seoul! You will be able to choose either week alone or join me for both--these Asian cultural capitals are only two hours apart by air, and there are nonstop flights to and from both cities out of DFW and other major US hubs. The early fall is a great time to visit both. I'm working with an outstanding regional partner to design the itinerary and select our accommodations, so stay tuned for more on this exciting trip in the coming weeks. Let me know if you want to be on my Sneak Peek list once the details are confirmed.

Great extended family opportunity!🎄🎁 Christmas Markets on the Rhine: Reach out to snag your cabin today, and then sleep easy for another 16 months. These festive season cruises are always in very high demand and we have a prime sailing date of December 10-17, 2026. No one does the holidays like AmaWaterways! Review the itinerary here.

Did you miss out on last year's Incomparable Istanbul trip? Turkey is back on the docket, bigger and better than ever. Join me for Crossroads of Civilization from May 1 to 15, 2027. (Please note that this trip was originally planned for 2026 but had to be changed.) This itinerary is filled with wonder, art, architecture, and, we hope, some illumination into the history of humanity: Turkey has seen the sometimes complicated intersection of the earthly and the spiritual over many millenia, and we'll delve into the major cultures and religions that have called this region home. While the trip isn't a pilgrimage, religion has played a big role in Turkey's history and we will learn more about the role of the three major Abrahamic faiths in the very human history of this particular part of the world. Check out the brochure HERE!

What about the rest of 2027? There are some fantastic trips in the planning process but not ready for announcement. PLUS, I'll still be taking your input on rounding things out. Rather than waiting until the New Year for our 2027 survey, I will be sharing the survey link very soon--please be on the lookout for it in the coming weeks. Your responses to the annual survey help shape the direction (literally) of many of our group trips.

ENGAGE MON VOYAGE FOR YOUR PRIVATE PLANNING

The Mon Voyage private planning calendar is more or less full for the rest of 2025, so speak now or you may not even make it into my book for 2026. I still have a few spots left for next year, so claim yours now!

À la prochaine,