Compounding any possible confusion, the majority of the airports that have not yet rolled out the new tech do, in fact, have one or more of the new scanners in operation. This means there is a chance that you will travel through Gatwick or Heathrow this summer with a see-through bag full of 100ml liquids, but when you get to security you will be instructed to leave them (and your laptop or tablet) in your bag. As millions of Britons jet abroad and word of mouth spreads, this will no doubt impact passenger behaviour, leading to hold-ups and confusion at security points.
As a result, the airports with work still under way are urging passengers to stick to the old rules to avoid confusion. Other travel experts have issued similar warnings, and Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at the travel association ABTA, agrees: “Our message is simple – you can’t go wrong if you stick to the current rules around liquids and laptops when preparing your hand luggage.”
Perhaps most importantly, even if you do successfully carry oversized liquids in your hand luggage out of the UK, the vast majority of European airports don’t have the new 3D security scanners in place. This means that, when it’s time to return home, your expensive perfume, body lotion or toothpaste could be confiscated at the final hurdle.
Disappointing as it might be, it seems that sticking to the old rules is indeed the only way to ensure you won’t be left with a nasty taste in your mouth this summer.