Carryons - International
 

I am flying direct on Austrian Airlines from JFK to Vienna and direct from Vienna to JFK (no UK layover). I've read the TSA website and just had a few concerns:

1) Saline solution. It states that eyedrops are allowed (under 4oz - which should fit in a standard contact lens case, correct?), but it says that saline is not allowed. Do they really make that distinction between saline and eyedrops? I want to board the plane w/ contacts, but want to take them out at some point, but if that's not possible, I'll just travel w/ my glasses the whole time, which I would prefer not to do.

2) Books. I know at one point, books were not listed on the "allowed in carry on list" and in People magazine this week (I know, very authoritative), some people were quoted as saying that their books were confiscated the last time they tried to fly from Europe (I don't know from where). Are books not allowed going or coming to the US now? This is of particular concern b/c I want to fly with library books and if one of those is lost - it's like $100 to replace, despite the fact that the cost is a few bucks. I want to be 100% sure of this one. Again, I am flying direct from Vienna to the US.

Thanks.

2) Seems a hassle to travel with library books. Some reason you can't buy a paperback novel? Plus I always leave books behind, after I read them to lighten the load.

The library book is paperback. And I would like to travel w/ my travel guide.

Sorry that wasn't my point. Only that if you owned it, there would be no concern about bringing it home. Travel guide I can understand, but you could put that in checked luggage, although I don't believe the 'no reading material' is in effect where you are going.

These two questions could be asked of your airline for more accurate comment.

I had thought that saline solution (less than 4 oz.) was allowed... does anyone have any insight on this?

The TSA website says the same thing for saline and eyedrops, I just read it.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm

It says both are allowed, up to 4 oz. This is the text of what is allowed:
<<Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications including saline solution, eye care products and KY jelly>>

The chart is confusing, as it says "no" in the carryon column, even though the note says you are allowed up to 4 oz. However, it has both marked the same for saline and eyedrops in that chart, also.

You could actually put contacts in eyedrops in a contact case, if you really wanted to, anyway. I have some special eyedrops for contact users (sort of to lubricate the eye while they are on), and I've used that in my contact lens case when I had to take them out suddenly for some reason when away from home, as I carry the case and that eyedrops bottle in my purse.

I do agree with Suze on the book thing. If you are not absolutely sure (and who can be), why not splurge and buy a paperback book instead of taking one of the library books? Then you don't have to worry about your library fine if something happens to it. I assume you are using library books to save money, which I agree with as I use my library a lot (and for environmental reasons), but I wouldn't take a library book on a trip, anyway, because I'd want to make sure the book couldn't be damaged (or if I really need the room and want to toss it after reading).

I don't think anyone will be able to give you a definite answer because this could change over time and also on any given day given a sudden change in circumstances. I have no idea what the TSA currently requires (I don't live in the US), and even if they allow small eye drops today, if there is an incident tomorrow the TSA may ban even that tomorrow. I have read that the EU, of which Austria is a member, was considering implementing carry-on restrictions similar to those currently imposed by the UK. Austria may decide on its own to implement these types of restrictions. So it is possible that these might be in place by the time of your Vienna-US flight. It is just too hard to say. I would say you should just be prepared to put those things into your checked bags when you arrive at the airport the day of your flight and the check-in agent tells you yes or no with regard to regulations in force for that day. I think the situation is just too fluid these days to say anything is going to be definite on the day of your flight.

A library book to Europe?? I don't think that is a great idea. If it is your guide book of choice - then xerox (or scan/print) the pages that you need and just take the copies w/ you.

Or buy a copy of your own. A well-used guide book needs highlighting/notes in the margins/dog ears - or it probably isn't that useful afterall.

I just flew from Newark to Paris direct both ways. My husband brought his eye contact lenses in his case, but checked the solution.

No problems with books. The only thing not listed that was banned going back to US was matches, which are not listed. I brought all my books and magazines with me. Should not be a problem.

I saw the matches are ok reference too, now why would matches be allowed? Why would someone need a match? Very odd.

Christina got my confusion with the saline as the chart says "no" for saline, but is stated as ok elsewhere. A contact lens case full of saline should be ok hopefully.

The library book was b/c that's what I'm currently reading and would like to finish (I had no idea it would cause so much discussion!), but regardless, I'd like to hear more about books being restricted on flights in general (unrelated the the library). Have they stopped confiscating these? Thanks for your input on this Kathryncee.

Library books have computer chips or bar codes in the binding so be careful with them and security.

Just curious: Why would reading material be banned from carry-on? How does reading effect international security? I'm serious. Does anyone know?

They're afraid of "subversive" books, you know. They collect all the books and then burn them on a big bonfire!

Actually, they collect all those "subversive" books, take them home, and read them for free after they return from another country where they had their abortion they made sure was banned at home.

Seaurchin- re: the matches... up till now, only matches were allowed on, no lighters... as a smoker, I picked up matches everywhere in France so as not to have to worry (it would clearly be easier to quit!) when I landed...

I would imagine one could do much more damage with matches than with lighters.. who knows?

The problem with books is that a terrorist could soak a book in a solution and then use it as a bomb--or so the thinking goes.

I always bring cheap paperbacks on trips (aside from maybe one guidebook). When I finish the paperback, I either leave it behind or give it to someone. I have left books in hotel rooms and planes. The books for vacations are generally "trash books" left behind by my kids when they grew up and moved out. At home I read mostly nonfiction but I do not bring books I want to keep on trips.

I cannot offer any definitive advice as to whether books are--or are not--allowed on the plane. I guess I will find out when I go to Chile in November. I have to say it is going to be a long boring trip without something to read.

I could stand wearing my glasses on the plane if I had to. Considering that they cost me a zillion dollars with skinny, graduated lenses (AKA bifocals), you'd think I would WANT to get some extra mileage out of them instead of wearing my contact lenses.

I just returned from my local pharmacy and checked the size of a 4 ounce bottle of saline solution. It's much bigger than I thought. I was thinking more along the lines of some of the samples you get when you visit your opthamologist but those are only one ounce, surprisingly.

What I'd really have a problem with is a lack of books. I never watch movies or tv programs while I'm flying and, if I can't fall asleep on an 8 hour flight to Rome, what in the world would I do for all those hours? I'm hoping that Kathryncee is correct re being allowed to fly with reading material. To the person who asked why books would be banned to begin with, FauxSteMarie had the right answer.

Is this insane or what? And yet, despite the insanity, everybody on this board - all of Fodors in fact - is flying somewhere !!

Is it possible to take 4 oz. or less of saline <b>nose spray</b> on an international flight? TSA site doesn't seem to make a distinction between saline for contacts and saline nasal spray. Flying US to Australia in October and inquiring minds need to know this before traveling.

From the &quot;maybe answer your own question&quot; department.&quot; The following is from the TSA website as permissible. But, do they mean saline contact solution or nose spray or what?

* Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications including saline solution, eye care products and KY jelly

I find the allowance of KY Jelly rather interesting... What's that about?

Also, if we don't have liquids on board then how can we soak up the book and make a bomb? These are just observations and don't need answers.

I am with JaneRebecca-is there some OTHER reason to use KY jelly (i.e.non-sexual) that would make its use on a flight essential? Does everyone else already know this and I am the only person who does not know?

LJ,

I also questioned the KY Jelly because as a hand lotion addict, I found it ironic that you could bring that on board but not hand lotion. I mentioned it on another thread and someone mentioned people with 'colostomy equipment and such that they must maintain.'

Thank you LYB...that makes it all totally understandable!

Hmmm- library charges $100 for a lost book even though it can be bought for a few bucks - i guess you don't have to be the village idiot to figure out that you go buy the book for a few bucks then return it to the library! But maybe they would still charge $100 - if so i'd raise cane about it.

Up until a few years ago, when companies began to market those lubricants in a sexy way, the KY tube actually said &quot;surgical lubricant&quot; on it. It still may, but I haven't seen one for a while. There are scores of medical uses for regular KY. Maybe not so many for the warming, flavored, or spray mist varieties. ;)

We flew last sunday from paris to newark on CO and they did not care about books.Only thing they cared about was liquids and gels

Melissa

I understand that KY has many surgical uses, etc. But on board a plane?!!!
Are there, with all due respect, that many people with colostomy's? I think there are many more with dry hands, however!

Perhaps, TheVillageIdiot, you might look for the book that you are reading in the used bookstores or thrift shops? Paying a dollar or so for it won't hurt as much as $100. I have in the past brought library books with me on trips and lived to regret it. (long story!)

I just took my contacts in saline in my purse, and they said it was no problem, CDG to PIT (via PHL) yesterday, USAirways. Interestingly, on the trip to France 10 days ago, they allowed my lipstick, but forbade it yesterday.

Our traveling companion's hotel-size shampoo(inadvertently packed in carry on)was not detected at CDG but was when we went through security again at PHL, same day.

Security seemed tighter yesterday than 10 days ago.

&gt;&gt; But on board a plane?!!!
Are there, with all due respect, that many people with colostomy's? I think there are many more with dry hands, however! &lt;&lt;

Funny! and I think very true!!

I flew to Europe from JFK 11 days ago- no problems. I took 2 small bottles of contact solution and showed them in a clear palstic bag.
I also had a hard cover book with me in carryon, again no problem.
COming home yesterday, it was much more restrictive, and I had to check my bags in.

Re carrying library books on a trip to Europe. Those books don't belong to you personally, and you would be charged to replace them if lost or damaged, rightly so. I think library books shouldn't be taken on international trips. If you can afford a ticket to Europe, you can easily afford to buy a paperpack to read!

BellaStarr please explain:

&quot;COming home yesterday, it was much more restrictive, and I had to check my bags in....&quot;

Does this mean you were forced to check EVERYTHING?

If so that is important to know because no airline website that I have seen indicates this is &quot;required&quot; so please enlighten all of us.

I'm traveling to/from the Uk in less than two weeks on British and so far that website says that carry-ons of a certain size are allowed.

Thank you in advance.

I'm laughing to myself as I read the comments on library books on trips.

About 10 years ago I took a library book on a trip to France. I had requested our small local library to &quot;borrow&quot; it for me from a larger library.

When I picked it up, I told them I was planning to take it on a trip, and they told me not to take it.

I, of course, thought I would be very careful with it. Ha. I left it in a hotel in Nice.

Despite many calls and e-mails, I never heard from the hotel.

I confessed my transgression to the librarians, and they were sympathetic, but still charged me $50. I guess prices have risen in the last 10 years.

I strongly suggest that you not take that book to Europe! Read quickly and finish it before you leave!

Byrd

for what it's worth, i very often take library books on trips - both travel related and other topics - both business and pleasure. as an avid user of my local library who travels regularly for business, it is just not practical to completely rearrange my life around trips and to buy books to replace those i have on loan from the library every time i need to go somewhere (which is every week). i'm sure many others have this &quot;problem&quot; as well.

as for the OP's quest to be 100% sure of regulations...forget it...you need to be prepared for some uncertainty. for example, just yesterday, i was told i could not CHECK-IN batteries (or shavers, phones, or toothbrushes containing them) and that i needed to CARRY them on!?!? i had never heard of this but you just need to be able to go with the flow.

I would not be so sure that others have this &quot;problem&quot; at all, because most people don't travel every week. Also, a lot of people just don't read that much, frankly, so wouldn't be reading so many books. But the point was not that people are suggesting one buys books to replace the books from the library they have on loan, but to buy a different book.

Given the cost of a major vacation, I'm surprised someone would balk at the few dollars for a paperback book. YOu can get lots of cheap ones on the remainder shelf, used book places, etc., or those real cheap versions of classics. I don't think my library has $100 fines for losing any book, probably more replacement value, but given anything can happen on a trip from ruining the book to just forgetting or losing it, why would anyone risk that because they were too cheap to buy one of their own?

I didn't realize that some airlines still allow smoking and, thus, matches. I must be so naive.

I want to take a little tiny bit of mentholatum for dry sinus I wonder if it is allowed.

Sea Urchin if by mentholatum you mean something like Vick's Vaporub my guess is that would be considered a gel and wouldn't be allowed since it's non-prescription. I also read a post from someone who had their Vick's inhaler tube taken from them which surprised me because it's not a liquid or gel.

Maybe you could put a little glob in some saran wrap, close it up well, and stick it in your jacket pocket. At worst, you'll have to chuck it at security but you can put a dab on before you throw it away.

Ha, we think alike! That is what I was thinking of doing. Oh, how subversive! Such intrigue! I would hate to spend the first day in Europe with a sinus headache! And only my beloved Mentholatum can save me!

Dukey-
The short, simple answer is: yes, I had to check everything, except for my smallish purse with a shoulder strap.
All arrived safely at the other end, nothing broken.

walkinaround;
for what it's worth, about those library books you regularly check out to take with you on trips- Do you inform the library of your intentions?
I think you should be happy to pay whatever potential fines you incur from damage or loss-and the fines should be high, because of the staff time required to replace the book and process it, and the delay incurred for other users of the library.
I find it hard to fathom why anyone who is a frequent traveler (and can thus afford it) would think of buying a book to read as such a chore, and that it's at all hard to just buy the book yourself, if only put of respect for other people who use (and really need) regular access to books in a public library, such as people who are shut-ins, have limited mobility, or seniors on fixed incomes, and so on.

Just my personal opinion, take it or leave it.

frankly i find the reactions to travelling with library books a little weird. in response to all your questions and concerns:

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
I would not be so sure that others have this &quot;problem&quot; at all, because most people don't travel every week
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

W-i didn't say most people travel every week but many of us do. when you travel frequently for work, you cannot rearrange your life just because you will make a trip. if i borrow a library book on saturday and i am into it when i leave on monday morning, it's coming with me. no special fusses...just living.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
Also, a lot of people just don't read that much, frankly, so wouldn't be reading so many books.
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

W-we must travel in different airports and airplanes because i regularly see significant numbers of people reading books whilst in transit.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
I'm surprised someone would balk at the few dollars for a paperback book.
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

W-i don't remember balking about the cost of books. in fact, this has nothing to do with anything. i enjoy using my library but i also do buy books.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
YOu can get lots of cheap ones on the remainder shelf, used book places, etc., or those real cheap versions of classics.
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

W-thanks for the tip but i regularly buy books at my local oxfam charity shop so i'm well aware of this source of books. i use it (and other sources like amazon and bookstores) in addition to my library not as a replacement for it.


&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
but given anything can happen on a trip from ruining the book to just forgetting or losing it, why would anyone risk that because they were too cheap to buy one of their own?
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

W-still not sure why being cheap or not has anything to do with it. like many people, i also travel quite often with my laptop, my passport, significant (but not excessive) amounts of money, credit cards, personal information, keys to my car and/or house, etc. losing any of this stuff would be bad. i have never lost any of it nor have i ever lost a library book. in fact, i cannot remember the last time i returned a library book late.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
Do you inform the library of your intentions?
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

no, travelling with library books is not an offense nor is there a requirement to tell staff about &quot;my intentions&quot;. growing up we would often stop at the library to get childrens' books to take on summer holidays. i thought this was a common ritual. maybe i'm just from another era...or maybe i had bad parents.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
I find it hard to fathom why anyone who is a frequent traveler (and can thus afford it) would think of buying a book to read as such a chore, and that it's at all hard to just buy the book yourself, if only put of respect for other people who use (and really need) regular access to books in a public library, such as people who are shut-ins, have limited mobility, or seniors on fixed incomes, and so on.
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

i did not say it was a chore to buy books. if i were carelessly losing books left and right i would agree. i have never lost a library book...never. where i live, it is much more dangerous to leave a library book in a bag in your car whilst in the food store than it is to travel with it.