In May, trials began in Manchester airport on a new type of X-ray scanner that could potentially detect dangerous liquids in carry on bags. Earlier this month, the European Union met to discuss changes to the current liquid restrictions. Now, an alternative means of detecting dangerous liquids is being proposed.

A group of scientists at a research centre in Germany have recently come up with another method of analysing liquids for potential explosive content, which they believe is quicker and cheaper than other methods currently being examined.

The new method involves passing a spectrum of light through a liquid, and examining how the light is reflected and absorbed. Since different materials react in different ways, the technique could allow explosive components to be quickly and reliably identified, possibly in a fraction of a second.

Don’t throw out your travel size toiletries just yet though. The new approach is only in the early stages, and further refinement is necessary before it is suitable for security screening on a large scale basis. And even if the system can be made commercially viable, the same issues regarding its implementation will still apply.

As new methods of scanning and detection are developed, it is looking increasingly likely that carry on liquid restrictions will be relaxed at some point. But that’s still likely to be years rather than months away.

Time frame

No definite time frame is given for this rule change. The EU Transport Commissioner “hopes” the restrictions will be scrapped by 2014 at the latest. Put in place in November 2006, the existing limits were due to expire next April, but are now expected to be extended until at least 2012. The problem with adopting a common policy EU-wide is that even if liquid-scanning technology was perfected today, rolling it out to all airports in the EU will be an expensive and time-consuming process. Moreover, with technology trials ongoing, it’s reported to be unlikely that the technology will be ready for general use before 2011, and that perhaps the largest airports could be equipped with new systems by sometime in 2012. Given that, 2014 looks a bit optimistic for an EU-wide application of the system.

Disagreement

Relaxing restrictions on carry on liquids will also require a united approach among EU countries. However, Britain has already cast doubt on whether this can be achieved. One initial proposal, to relax rules on duty free liquids purchased by transit passengers before entering the EU, is expected to be opposed by the United Kingdom. This could lead to a common EU system elsewhere in Europe, while travellers would face additional restrictions in British airports. There’s already enough confusion about what the restrictions actually are – having different rules in different countries would just lead to additional stress for passengers.

Baggage charges

Even if the liquid restrictions were scrapped tomorrow, I still believe a large number of passengers will still continue to pack travel size toiletries. Airlines are suffering in the recession. Charges for checked baggage are on the increase, and hand luggage allowances are becoming increasingly strict. If this continues, more passengers will be travelling with carry on bags only, and we’ll have to learn to pack more carefully. Buying travel size items might seem an unneccessary expense, but if the alternative is paying extra to check in bags, I think more people will realise it can save them money in the long run.

Do you think the EU rule changes are likely to be implemented any time soon? And if so, will that  end the need for travel size toiletries, or will they still have a place in your hand luggage?

• individual items must contain no more than 100ml/100gr (that’s 3 oz)
• total per passenger limited to 1000ml (1 quart)
• all such items should be placed in a resealable clear plastic bag and presented separately at airport security, and only one such bag is allowed per passenger.

Which means if you’re going to travel away for a few days, any personal toiletries you bring aboard will need to meet these criteria. For most people, this is going to take a small bit of extra planning. Of course, you could just put them all in your hold baggage. Which is fine, if you’re checking bags in. And even then it’s worth having a backup plan in case your bag goes missing. You don’t want to face the trouble of trying to find a local pharmacy at your destination, possibly facing a language barrier if abroad.

Buy travel toiletries in advance

The toiletries you use regularly at home are unlikely to be in units small enough to meet the regulations, so you’ll need to find alternatives. Many pharmacies offer a range of travel size toiletries suitable for inclusion in your cabin baggage. These are usually available across a range of recognised brands. So you should try your local supermarket or pharmacy to see if they have them in stock.

Give yourself a bit of advance time though, as not all shops will carry many (or indeed any) travel toiletries and you may need to shop around a bit to find exactly what you want. Worst case, if you can’t find anything you’ll have to buy whatever you need in the airport after security screening, but that means you’ll pay more than you need to and take up extra space in your carry on baggage.

So plan ahead and save yourself some money!