U.S. relaxes carry-on rules for liquids and gels

Josh Roberts believes the best trips involve long hikes and muddy boots. His life goals haven't changed much since he was a kid: He still wants to be Indiana Jones when he grows up.

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In addition to SmarterTravel, he has written for USA Today, The Boston Globe, Yahoo! Travel, The Huffington Post, Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor, Jetsetter, ABC News, Oyster, and Business Insider. His travel photography can be seen in Britain and Ireland's Best Wild Places, published by Penguin UK.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A lacrosse ball. It's small, lightweight, and works wonders on loosening up tight muscles."

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Here’s some good news of the “it’s about time” variety: The U.S. is partially lifting its ban against bringing liquids and gels onto planes, according to an AP report this morning.

Under the revised airport security rules, most liquids and gels purchased in “secure areas” of the airport will be allowed on planes. In other words, once you pass through security, you can buy liquids and gels (at ridiculously inflated prices, no doubt) from the vendors on the other side.

The AP also says that products like lip gloss and hand lotion purchased prior to entering the airport will now be allowed through security, however they will be “put in clear plastic bags at the checkpoint, screened and returned to the passenger if they pass screening.”

Most of this is something I think we all knew had to happen, eventually, if not the specifics of how these changes would be implemented. By doing it now, things have a chance to return to (relative) normal before the busy holiday travel season.

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