The TSA rules are specific. Bottles must be three oz or less. No exemptions for contents or lack thereof.

You can, however, put it into checked luggage.

I looked at the TSA list of prohibited items, and did not see "empty bottle" anywhere.

http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

I have taken an empty water bottle through TSA screening and filled it at an airside water fountain on several occasions. Was I just lucky to have slipped it past the screener?

From my reading of the TSA website, the ban applies to liquids and gels, which must be in containers of three onces or less, not to empty bottles.

Thanks, I would be really sad if they took it away, it's a special fine mist spray bottle I use for my hair, it would be a real drag if they confiscated it.

I bring an empty water bottle through security each time I fly - about once a month.

I fill it up at a water fountain near the gate.

I always bring a 1-liter empty water bottle in my carry-on. No one has ever questioned it, except one time in Belize when I forgot I had some water in it. I had to toss it. Oops!

The last 3 trips to Europe I have brought in empty water bottles with no problem.

I know people used to take empty drinking water bottles to save money, by filling after security check at a drinking fountain, but post 9/11 that was no longer allowed.

Has it changed back again? I didn't think so.

My wife got "caught" by security in Montreal with a part full water bottle. She drank the water in front of the agents and the problem was gone; no problem keeping the empty.

They tried to take my empty water bottle away from me at LHR and I said, I thought we had a liquid ban--not a plastic ban. Enough said.

but post 9/11 that was no longer allowed.,

incorrect info. It wasn't after 9/11. The new 3oz rule came into effect after the Brits discovered a plot to blow up planes with a mix of different liquids carried on in regular soda/water bottles. That ban is about 3-4 years old. Nothing to do with 9/11. In fact you were allowed to carry on any size of liquid bottles for the 3-4 years after 9/11.

To answer the OP. The empty container rule or lack of, is very inconsistent. I have seen TSA confiscating the empty bottles and I have seen people getting it through as long as it was totally empty. I don't think the flunkies at TSA know themselves what the exact rules are on empty bottles bigger than 3oz.

I've been holding smaller water bottles (empty) in my carryon with no problems.

well "smaller" meaning 8-10oz for the size of the water, not smaller than 3oz.

I carry my reusable, empty, aluminum water bottle with me through security every time - haven't had a problem in Mexico, Bermuda, the States, England, or Honduras.

Of course you are rightAAfrequentflyer.

txgirl, is it a SIGG water bottle you carry? I love mine!

And to stay on topic, I flew to my brother's wedding last weekend with my empty 0.6 liter water bottle and filled it on the other side of security. All I can say is that water in the Hartford airport tastes awful!

I carried on several mugs and a flask - all empty - and nothing was said about them (and they did the full search of my carry-on bag as I had a picture frame that looked like a knife in the xray).

ejcrowe - actually, I got a Klean Kanteen from LLBean - 27oz, raspberry pink!! It goes everywhere with me. I liked the look of the SIGGs too, but when you live on an island, you take what you can get - and LLBean was easier to ship in!!

Thought I'd throw in that my sister and her family have also taken empty water bottles through screening and then filled from fountains on the other side. No problems. Her mother-in-law flies back and forth to England at least twice a year and does the same thing. The only time she was questioned was when the screener asked if she wanted the bottles thrown away (thinking it was trash), but not because it violated any rules.

Unfortunately (only because it's been a long time), the last time I flew anywhere was the DAY that the news of the plot became known and then the rule went into effect. I'll be flying at least a couple of round-trips that I know of already in 2009, so I guess I'll find out, first-hand, if there's any problem in carrying an "empty" through screening.

I recently flew from a French airport and they wanted to confiscate my EMPTY bobble water bottle, which is a 1 Litre water bottle with attached filter inside so as to filter the horrible but free water that is available whilst travelling in airports......they were adamant that any containers larger than than the regulation size of 100ml were to be confiscated...even though there were no fluids in the bottle???!! I have travelled extensively all over the world in both small and large international airports and never heard of anything so stupid. I mean if you think of it the actual suitcase that one travels with (ie Rimowa cases are essentially made of polycarbonate which is in fact plastic!!!!!) then it just makes you wonder who makes up these useless regulations....obviously they are in cahoots with the airside shops that charge an absolute fortune for water bottles and any other beverage....or food for that matter!

I wish people would come to their senses finally.

Jennfier, Welcome to Fodor's forums!

I always put my empty water bottle without its top in the same bin as my ziploc with the three ounce stuff and have never had a problem. Its better than paying $3.50 for a bottle of water on the other side.

My daughter always brings her Kleen Kanteen with her when we travel. On two occasions, she forgot to empty it. They simply told her to empty the contents, rescreeened her, and sent her on her way.

BTW~this thread is 4 years old.......