I’ve covered the new rules regarding banned liquids stored in carry-on bags. I’ve even covered the new relaxed rules regarding banned liquids. If you’ve been able to keep track of it all, here’s one more to add to your packet of airline info: Travelers flying out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport are now being offered an alternative to tossing out precious perfumes and other high priced liquids that are banned on carry-on bags.
According to officials, the airport has implemented a 60-day pilot program (that started Monday) whereby passengers can either mail the items to their final destination or have them put in storage at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport. The reason behind the new system—placate passengers who in the past have reluctantly had to part with expensive prohibited items such as makeup, colognes and pocketknives.
“It’s a useful option when a person gets irate or doesn’t understand the rules,” an O’Hare security checkpoint supervisor told local news reporters.
The program’s official name is Mail Safe Express. Here’s how it works: if you forget to place a banned liquid in your checked luggage and refuse to have TSA agents dispose of it at a security checkpoint you will be offered the Mail Safe Express option. If you decide to exercise the option you will be escorted by security agents to a touch-screen kiosk where you can arrange to have your items mailed to an address or sent to the hotel via a bubble-wrap envelope.
Having your banned items shipped to the Hilton will set you back $9.99. If you choose to have the items shipped, look to spend between $10 and $45. Liquids can be mailed to a specified address for a flat fee of $14 in the U.S. and $25 internationally. Larger items, such as bottles, cost between $10 and $45 to ship. And one more thing, the kiosks only take credit cards.
According to news reports, the program could be expanded to Midway Airport if it’s effective at O’Hare. LaGuardia International Airport in New York and Bush International Airport in Houston offer similar programs.
Since the program’s inception at O’Hare on Monday, 12 passengers have opted to ship their banned items. To put that in perspective, according to airport officials, O’Hare security officers have confiscated about 200,000 items a month since the ban on liquids went into effect more than two months ago. Under U.S. Transportation Security Administration rules, liquids, gels and aerosols can only be carried on to flights if they are 3 ounces or smaller and are placed in a 1-quart clear plastic bag with a zip closure.
Airport officials say they hope the mail system will help lines at security checkpoints move more smoothly. I think it is a great option for forgetful passengers, but to save a few bucks I would just write myself a reminder and stick it on my bag so that I wouldn’t have to consider the mail option at all.
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