Take empty water bottles to get through security

I hate waste. And to me, there’s nothing more wasteful than seeing garbage bins overflowing with half-full water, soda, and juice bottles outside the security area at the airport. It’s a waste of money and resources.

That’s why this tip, from reader Elvera Penner of Courtenay, British Columbia, is such simple genius. “We take empty water bottles in our carry-on luggage,” says Penner. “[We have] no problem going through security with those, and once we’ve cleared security, we fill them up at a water fountain in the departure area, and take them on board. Sure beats paying $2.50 for a small bottle of water!”

Reader Virginia Cina Cass, of Waikele, Hawaii, agrees. “Every time my husband and I travel, we are forced to discard our unfinished water bottles in the trash bin prior to entering the security check area. This is lost money down the drain, and has always bothered us.” Like Penner, she now brings empty bottles and fills them up at a post-security drinking fountain. “I love this idea as they charge as much as $3.50-$5.50 for a bottle of water at the airport… [It] saves you lots of money, and you’ll always have water on hand.”

And there you have it—stay hydrated, comply with security regulations, recycle, and save money, too. Why didn’t I think of this before?

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