Snow globes? TSA will likely just say 'no'

[bambbbam2]

Only in America (thankfully)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2010260025_websnow12.html

Pity the lowly snow globe with white flakes raining down on a snowman or Santa Claus tucked inside its liquid dome.


Try packing this favourite travel souvenir in your carry-on luggage and taking it through an airport security checkpoint this holiday season, and chances are you'll have to leave it behind.


"Snow globes are not permitted to be carried through security checkpoints," said Transportation Security Administration spokesman Dwayne Baird.


The reason is that the globes contain liquids, and TSA rules say that only liquids, gels or aerosols in containers of three ounces or less are allowed through security in carry-on bags.

 

[Mal]

That article is a Christmas themed beatup, and you do have the same restrictions in Australia if you are flying internationally.

Of course snow globes are banned, as are any other container containing liquids > than the allowed amount for carry-on luggage.

 

[Dave Noble]

And the same restriction in many other countries too. Easy to take if just put in checked luggage and they hardly weigh a huge amount

Dave

 

[docjames]

Just get one that's less than 100mL.

 

[drewbles]

And the same restriction in many other countries too. Easy to take if just put in checked luggage and they hardly weigh a huge amount

And if you don't want them damaged? some snow globes are large and as glass (the larger ones typically are glass) can be damaged easily. I mean obviously the only option here is pack in checked luggage but it's not that easy if you want it to arrive in one piece.

Just get one that's less than 100mL.

Nope. Friend bought a small snow globe in Las Vegas to bring home with him on a recent trip. Whilst going through the security lanes we were stopped, and he was forced to throw it out. He then found a 'dry' snow globe past security in a souvenir shop. Wasn't quite a snow globe, but was a substitute. Apparently the shops aren't allowed them either.

 

[NM]

Just get one that's less than 100mL.

Unless it has a label detailing the volume of the contents, it won't be permitted. and I have yet to see a snow globe / snow dome that has the liquid volume printed on a label.

 

[straitman]

I have yet to see a snow globe / snow dome that has the liquid volume printed on a label.

.... and you have actually looked for one :?:

 

[Dave Noble]

And if you don't want them damaged? some snow globes are large and as glass (the larger ones typically are glass) can be damaged easily. I mean obviously the only option here is pack in checked luggage but it's not that easy if you want it to arrive in one piece.

That is the risk you take with taking any liquids ; not special to snow globes

Dave

 

[james4321]

In case you didnt know - if you want to protect wine or spirit bottles from breaking and/or leaking, the bag wrapping guys at Melbourne T2 departures have a specially designed bubble wrap container that does the job beautifully.

 

[coolumbla]

This is valuable information for my 13 yo delinquent who will be building up his snow globe collection on the YONE next month!

I can see him demanding bubblewrapping at each airport!

If you are a snowglobe collector do you have to actually visit the place to get the globe or can your relatives bring them back?
SHoud i be scouring bangkok airport as we speak for one so that he will increase his collection?
WHat are the ethics of snowglobe collecting?

 

[docjames]

The <100mL comment was somewhat tongue in cheek guys.....

 

[Rae]

There's no ethics to it and most serious collectors get them from anywhere they can, with the ones most revered being out of the way / unusal ones like small villages in northern Canada etc.

I used to collect them and had about 1500. The most desired are the vintage plastic ones with name plaques inside the globe

When I first started, I only wanted ones from places I'd been, but then I'd come across some for places I was intending to go one day and would snap them up, thus starting the obsession for all types.

I've sold most of them now and have about 40 or so, from my favourite cities/places.

 

[NM]

.... and you have actually looked for one :?:

yes ... for this very purpose

 

[NM]

This is valuable information for my 13 yo delinquent who will be building up his snow globe collection on the YONE next month!

I hope his fetish does not get out of hand! This is what can happen if it does.

 

[drewbles]

That is the risk you take with taking any liquids ; not special to snow globes

Dave

Risk perhaps, but it's sheer stupidity IMHO. I can take a 'random' bottle of shampoo that's sub-100ml and no questions are asked as to its contents. Take a tiny snow globe (as this one was) that is quite obviously sub-100ml (and let's not get pedantic on labelling, as said shampoo bottle I travel with extensively thru the USA does not have a volume on it even) and the snow globe will be confiscated, yet the shampoo allowed through.


<tongue in cheek>
Perhaps there's a market in the used snow globe industry for the TSA. Maybe they get $0.50c a pop to feed them back to the souvenir stores back in the city

Perhaps the Snow Globe Manufacturers Association (SGMA) needs to come up with industry standard labelling
</tongue in cheek>

It's like anything. Some common sense and perhaps labelling needs to be thought here. I'm sure more snow globes get confiscated than most people think.

 

[dajop]

Risk perhaps, but it's sheer stupidity IMHO. I can take a 'random' bottle of shampoo that's sub-100ml and no questions are asked as to its contents. Take a tiny snow globe (as this one was) that is quite obviously sub-100ml (and let's not get pedantic on labelling, as said shampoo bottle I travel with extensively thru the USA does not have a volume on it even) and the snow globe will be confiscated, yet the shampoo allowed through.

I have six letters for you: LOTFAP.

I had to throw out good shaving cream as it was only labelled in grams not mls or oz, even though it was quite clearly smaller (side by side) than the adjacent bottle of shampoo - which was acceptable, but appropriately labelled. And my plastic bag with a zipper on it was unacceptable as well, had to be a "snap" lock bag. Wotever.

As for the snow globe collectors, all you need is a few tiny stick on labels with volume written on them you can stick on to the base of snow globes as necessary. I'm sure that will do the trick .....

 

[medhead]

ummm, or you could just take out the plug and empty the liquid* out for transport


*carefully so as to not lose the "snow"

 

[UP4014]

ummm, or you could just take out the plug and empty the liquid* out for transport


*carefully so as to not lose the "snow"

Yes, all the ones I've seen have a little stopper in the bottom of them.

 

[drewbles]

I have six letters for you: LOTFAP.

I had to throw out good shaving cream as it was only labelled in grams not mls or oz, even though it was quite clearly smaller (side by side) than the adjacent bottle of shampoo - which was acceptable, but appropriately labelled. And my plastic bag with a zipper on it was unacceptable as well, had to be a "snap" lock bag. Wotever.

As for the snow globe collectors, all you need is a few tiny stick on labels with volume written on them you can stick on to the base of snow globes as necessary. I'm sure that will do the trick .....

I hear you loud and clear. The "security circus" that is the US screening process is always fun. I just smile and be as polite as possible to expedite my transition through them.

Strangely enough, I always just leave my 'zip lock' back with liquids etc in my toilet bag in my carry on and not once in the US have I been asked to remove/inspect it. Every other country I'm told to remove prior to screening.

Although the volume stickers for the snow globes may be interesting, although probably not wise

As for drainable snow globes, the nice ones are not like that, being pretty sealed units (as was the case of my friends). Perhaps selling empty snow globes should now be a thing. that would solve the issue altogether. Fill at home

 

[medhead]

Well I sticking with every snow globe I've seen being drainable including some very expensive ones in Germany.