I've been thinking how to modify my packing class and my own system in the "new world" and I really don't have to change too much.

I use bare minerals foundation/blush/etc. so no liquid there. I never take liquid prefumes (had a REALLY unfortunate spill in my suitcase once - can you say "smelled like a French wh**e: ) ) I have some powdered tooth polish that would work. Plus Brush-ups work in a pinch. Most hotels provide mouthwash. And I use face cleansing towelettes.

Moisturiser would be a problem - but I could make do w/o and just buy something inexpensive overseas. That USA Today article reminded me - I bet Maybeline reintroduces their cake mascarra.

oops - that should be " . . . unfortunate spill in my suitcase once - can you say "smelled like a French wh**e :) ) . . . "

Hi janisj, may I ask what the brand of your tooth powder is and where do you buy it? Your comment about Maybeline possibly reintroducing their cake mascara, that is what we used when I was in HS. Aren't I showing my age, lol.

But anyway, I am most interested in the powdered tooth polish..thank you!!

Hi Loveitaly, we used the Maybelline cake mascara too, you had to spit on it and really scrub the cake to work up a good lather! We used it when we were modeling, good stuff, I hope they do bring it back!

I think cake mascara is about the same product as cake eyeliner, and they still make that, I think. Not sure as I don't use it, but I thought so.

Now that someone mentioned the disposable cleansing cloths, I was thinking -- don't they have some wipe product like that for hand lotion? I would think perhaps they do, but maybe there hasn't really been a market for that so they haven't made any.

As for tooth powder, I think I've seen that in some health food type stores, or maybe even a grocery store like Whole Foods. I'm sure lots of places to buy it online, but if people only want a little for the flight, you can just mix up a batch yourself. Just use baking soda with a little salt in it.

Baking soda and salt...sounds yummy! :-P LOL

I flew out of LHR two days ago to the states. Security was really tight. While you waited in line lots of reps came by asking for any liquids, including makeup like mascara, eye shadow...basic cosmetics. Lip balm was okay. We had a shopping bag that was full of stuff for our kids and it did NOT fit in the smaller bag compartment so we had to transfer it to a plastic bag. No biggie really, but they just were very strict about the size of the bag/carry on. It had to be small.

The bright side of this new policy...we got on and off the plane in record speed without anyone having tons of carry-ons! And all our bags made it just fine.

Good luck!

FWIW, we flew from Baltimore BWI to Philadelphia to Milan last Thursday. On advice of US Airways, we arrived at BWI three hours ahead of flight time - this turned out to be totally unnecessary.

We drank our OJ before going through security. There was an air-puff bomb sniffing machine, then the usual "everything off/out", x-ray, and scanner. Line was minimal and TSA staff efficient and seemingly competent. We ended up with way too much time to hang around in the terminal.

Because we were returning home to Lake Como after three weeks in the US, I didn't have much choice about what to bring with me. My carry ons were a large backpack (containing laptop, videocamera, still camera, books, non-liquid toiletries, iPod...) and a nearly-empty purse. Weirdly, it was the purse they decided to swab for bomb-making chemicals. The TSA agent apologized for the delay and said it was "something about the way things were laying in it." Possibly the metal coil on a small spiral-bound notebook looked strange on the x-ray.

At the gate there were recorded announcements that you couldn't take liquids etc. on the plane, but no one was actually looking at bags, so I could easily have gotten away with buying something in the terminal and carrying it on.

We had a three-hour layover in Philadelphia - plenty of time for a security check which we didn't actually go through - depending on what terminal you switch to in any given airport, you may or may not have to go through security again.

At the gates, again there was a recorded announcement about liquids, but no actual check. I noticed that duty-free bags were being handed over at the plane door. Though I did not look closely at what was in them, some of it may have been cream-type cosmetics. I guess this is okay if you receive it at the door and it's in a sealed package, though I wouldn't absolutely rely on this.

Security guidelines keep changing, but you can always find the latest at http://www.tsa.gov/

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

beginningwithi.com

LoveItaly: &quot;<i>may I ask what the brand of your tooth powder is and where do you buy it?</i>&quot;

I have a tin of Eco-Dent powder I bought a couple of years ago at the Natural Foods co-op here in town. I've only used it once in a while but now it is going into my permanent travel kit. I think it is mostly stocked by whole foods/natural foods-type shops and maybe on line.

Carryons only for me, even since the new restrictions. Only things I'll really be missing are moisturizer and hairspray which I'll pick up when I land. All other items I've made found alternatives or will do without.

Ok, I've done what everyone has said and checked my airline's website (Alitalia) and there is not one mention of what you can and cannot bring on a flight to the U.S. I am flying Geneva-Milano-Boston next Saturday and want to know if I can bring a proper handbag or the stupid cheap clear plastic carryon bag I bought the day after the London incident? Has anyone flown with a real handbag? I see TSA is letting cell phones on now but can't find anything about clear bags.

I flew recently with only an oversized pocketbook on the plane, not my usual carry-on size bag (I check my 24&quot; suitcase). It was freeing not to be schlepping so much thru airports, nothing to wrestle into the overhead bins, etc.

dorkforcedad just returned Wednesday night from a business trip. He didn't check luggage as he had a business meeting immediately after arriving in Chicago and didn't want to risk the slow process (at times) at baggage claim. He took an electric razor (I know, not ideal), toothbrush, and the Sheraton where he stayed had toothpaste and other items he needed. It worked very well for him but, alas, I'm not the natural beauty he is, and I don't think the Sheraton would have had enough for me! He did say there wasn't any problem finding overhead space!

beaupeep - I just came back Tuesday (from Zurich to Dallas to Austin) on American. No problem with handbags at all. They were even allowing the 21-inch rollers. It seemed that as long as you weren't packing any of the banned substances, the regular carry-on stuff was okay.

Thank you all! This is really helpful and good to know that I can bring my handbag.

I am flying to Rome this Sunday with AA. Does anyone know if we are allowed to bring a camera aboard?

Just make sure that if you are planning to buy toothpaste, etc. upon arrival, know the general store hours of your city of destination. A lot of us assume that every large city will have some sort of 24/7 store, and that is just not true. Also, the &quot;historic&quot; areas of many cities are not the best places to try to find toiletries. I've arrived in places on a Saturday afternoon before, to find no stores open until Monday morning.

The AA website has an updated list of what you can bring...

www.tsa.gov has the list of what you can, and cannot, bring onboard.

kismetchimera - on our flight (again, through Zurich on AA) we were able to carry on our cameras and all the miscellaneous memory cards, chargers, etc. People even brought their computers as carry-on.

Seems like they were mostly concerned with gels, liquids, creams, stuff like that. And absolutely no empty water bottles either. I had one, thinking they'd just fill it for me once on board. But no, they took that.

Have a great trip to Rome!