TSA May Relax Liquids Rules (for some)

TSA is considering allowing PreCheck passengers to bring full water bottles through security at airports equipped with their most advanced CT scanners. Change could roll out in coming months.

The 3-1-1 liquid rule has been one of the most frustrating parts of the American airport experience since 2006. It’s the reason we all have those tiny travel toiletry bottles and the reason why many of us line up with our reusable water bottles at a filling station post-security. That rule might be loosening, at least partially, at least for some travelers.

Senior TSA officials told CBS News on September 9 (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-precheck-travelers-full-water-bottles-airport-security/) that the agency is considering allowing TSA PreCheck passengers to bring full water bottles through security checkpoints at select airports in the coming months.

What's Actually Being Considered

The proposed change is specifically about water bottles for PreCheck passengers at airports equipped with advanced CT scanners. It’s not a full 3-1-1 rollback so don’t expect to be passing through with wine, shampoo, or other large liquids. Additionally it’s not applicable to all travelers or airports.

Under the proposal, PreCheck passengers going through checkpoints with modern CT screening equipment could bring full water bottles through security without emptying them. The CT scanners can distinguish water from other liquids and identify potential threats. The 3.4-ounce limit would still apply to all other carry-on liquids under the current proposal.

The Caveats

Not all airports have the technology. CT scanners with automated detection capability are very expensive and haven't been deployed at every US airport checkpoint. TSA hasn't publicly identified which airports would be included in the initial rollout.

Some CT scanners were quietly removed earlier this year. As reported by Your Mileage May Vary (https://yourmileagemayvary.com/2026/09/10/tsa-3-1-1-liquids-rule-change/), TSA removed CT scanners from some non-PreCheck lanes at select airports earlier in 2026, apparently due to concerns that untrained non-PreCheck passengers were slowing down the process by not knowing how to use the new equipment. This means the rollout could be smaller than expected.

PreCheck only. Even at CT-equipped airports, the change would only apply to PreCheck passengers.

Timing is uncertain. Reports say "in the coming months" and one source suggests it could happen as soon as next week, but there's no firm launch date.

Personally I could see an inconsistent rollout as getting very confusing for passengers - and potentially even causing delays with passengers who aren’t aware that rollout is on an airport by airport basis.

The 11 Existing Liquid Exemptions

Remember that not all liquids fall under the 3-1-1 restriction - expectations do apply. TSA already allows 11 categories of liquids beyond the standard 3.4-ounce limit, including prescription medications in original packaging, baby formula, breast milk, contact lens solution, and a some others. Water bottles for PreCheck passengers would join that list of exemptions rather than replacing the 3-1-1 rule entirely. The current rules can be found at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-aerosols-gels-rule

Why This Matters Beyond the Convenience Factor

The water bottle change is small in isolation but part of a broader pattern of TSA modernizing rules that were written around post-9/11 threat models. Last July we saw the “Shoes off” rule removed for non precheck passengers (https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/07/08/dhs-end-shoes-travel-policy) Earlier this week we covered Gateside by TSA PreCheck - which lets non-travelers get past security to meet arriving passengers.

Both developments suggest TSA is rethinking rules that don't reflect current screening technology or threats.

What To Do Right Now

If you're a PreCheck holder: Keep an eye out for airport-specific announcements once the change begins to roll out. Don't be that person who holds up the line by assuming you can bring a full water bottle through.

If you're not a PreCheck holder: The value prop for getting PreCheck just improved slightly.

Either way, don't try it before it's official. TSA hasn't formally announced the change yet. CBS is reporting it's being considered, not that it's been implemented. Bringing a full water bottle to security tomorrow will still get it confiscated at every airport in the country!

Source: CBS News

Related: TSA Gateside PreCheck: Get Past Security Without a Flight