Brits Muddle Through Carry-On Baggage Regs

All this time, I thought the US Transportation Security Agency had the screwiest policies in traveldom, but I've just been alerted to the nutty inconsistency in Britain. The British Airways website tries to explain the complicated carry-on bag policies, which are as follows:

• Travelers flying to the UK from elsewhere are permitted to carry on whatever number of pieces permitted at their departure country (typically one carry-one, one personal item such as a purse and a cane or crutches if needed).
• Travelers departing from the UK are permitted only one piece of carry-on, which may be no larger than 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (approximately 22 inches x 17.5 inches x 9.85 inches). In addition, customers may now carry musical instruments through security search provided they can be x-ray screened. There doesn't appear to be a size restriction on musical instruments, which can theoretically vary from piccolo to cello or bass.
• Travelers transferring at a UK airport from an international flight to a domestic one are permitted to bring two pieces to a UK airport but may only board their next flight with one, even if they never leave the airport.
• Travelers transferring at a UK airport from one international flight to another international flight are also permitted to board their second flight with justone carry-on.
• Inernational travelers arriving in the UK are permitted one carry-on plus plus a laptop or briefcase.

Considering that London's Heathrow Airport is the world's third-busiest (after Atlanta-Hartsfield and Chicago O'Hare) with nearly 70 million passengers annually, these regulations affect a lot of flyers. If you are traveling internationally and your itinerary includes the airport code LHR, pay special attention.

If the number and type of carry-ons (referred to in British English as opposed to American English as "cabin baggage" or "cabin bags") aren't complicated enough, BA addresses the issue of food, toiletries and medications. This isn't exactly the same as in the US and elsewhere either. The UK follows the European Union rules on carrying liquids aboard. "Limited quantities" (approximately 3.5 fluid ounces) of liquids, gels or pastes must be held in individual containers. No indiction of whether that3.5 ounces is per item or cumulatively for all items. In any event, these "may include" shampoo, cream, hair gel, hairspray, suntan lotion, toothpaste, liquid or aerosol deodorant, perfumes, "cosmetics such mascara and lip gloss."

Water and other drinks, soups and syrups and "other items of similar consistency" must be carried in a separate clear plastic, zip-top or resealable bag that does not exceed 20 cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches) or "equivalent to one litre capacity." All of these items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. At the airport security search, the plastic bag must be removed from the cabin bag and x-ray screened separately.

BA says, "Customers can take solid food items onboard for consumption in-flight such as sandwiches, crisps, fruit and vegetables. Drinks and liquid-based food items such as pasta sauces, gravies, stews and curries, jams and yogurts may be taken through security provided they are stored in containers no larger than 100ml and are carried in a clear plastic bag." Interesting that BA makes no mention of baby food or infant formula

Also, "customers can take onboard disposable contact lenses in sealed strips. Non-disposable contact lenses may be taken onboard in holders that contain solution. These do not need to be packed into the clear plastic bag. Additional solution may be taken in a container no bigger than 100ml but this must be carried in the clear plastic bag."

Then there's the whole issue of which are EU countries, which non-EU countries must comply with EU rules and which US and other non-European nations' regulations kick in when flying to or from any of them into or out of the UK.