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