Pegasus News - Dallas/Fort Worth

DFW AIRPORT-- I haven't flown in awhile, and I thought the whole fear of toiletries on airplanes had passed. I was clearly wrong, as I was told at security that I'd need to take out my toiletries and put them in a Ziploc baggie for inspection.

Of course I had none, so I was pointed to the sundry shop nearby where they sold me a bag for a buck. It was a wasted dollar, because my toothpaste and deodorant were each one ounce too big to pass muster.

I was irked, but I'm also all about not getting blown up. The guy ahead of me was not so philosophical, because his too-big toothpaste and deodorant were mostly empty, so the contents were below the limit, but the casing was not. He had a fit, yelled at the TSA agent, demanded to see a supervisor and then (literally) screamed foul when his bag got searched after the X-ray.

I agree with him that the rule is stupid, and not really protecting anyone. But I also know that arguing with an entry level government employee about whether to follow a regulation is an exercise in futility.

What bugged me though, was the convenient sale of the $1 Ziploc next door. And the fact that the legal limit on most items seems to be roughly 1 ounce less than the standard size. And that the sundry shops on the other side of the gate were doing a brisk toiletries business.

I always say follow the money -- I imagine the airport merchants have a lobbyist, if not a PAC. And these goofy rules about liquigels would seem to profit them. So I, for one, am not buying anything at an airport merchant* until such time as I can bring my Sam's Club-sized toothpaste and deodorant on the plane.

*- Restaurants, especially those selling Pumpkin Spice Ale, are exempt.