TSA Explains Why Your Wart Cream Goes in a See-Through Bag

Airline travel got a little easier, if not less bureaucratic today, with the announcement that small amounts of toiletries could be put in your carry-on bag, if you separate them into small containers that fit altogether into one transparent, plastic bag.

That bag, like laptops and shoes, now goes into a bin for screening. But what about the embarrassment factor of pulling out your personal medication -- say ointment to prevent itching in highly personal areas or cream that treats rogue blood vessels in one other personal area?

There's no way around the transparent bag, according to TSA spokeswoman Yolanda Clark, except putting them in checked luggage, if you have them.

The liquids need to be separated, and need to visible and fit comfortably in the bag so they can easily be screened.

Screening is visual and x-ray. We conducted a significant number of tests to help us determine which size of containers helps us to determine those amounts do not pose a significant threat."

By allowing small amounts of these items back on board and through the checkpoint, we allow officers to focus on finding explosives. There's a one bag limit so it limits the amount that one person can carry on by consolidating bottles in one bag and reduces clutter of carry on bag.

Also we are going to be enhancing security measures throughout the airport, which is going to include more random screening of our employees, stronger air cargo measures and bomb appraisal officers.

It's unclear whether repackaging some gel or liquid into a smaller, unlabelled container would cause you additional grief and make you have to explain out loud in the screening area what each cream is for, but for those of you who value and need medicinal privacy, it might be worth a try.

Either way, 27B would love to hear what happens.

Photo: Cathy G