Of all the restrictions that bother flyers, this one is near the top of the list: Stuffing 3-ounce liquids in tiny, bloated baggies. The 3-1-1 rule has been a boon for folks selling micro-sized shampoo, but the bane of flyers who need to transport liquids in meaningful amounts.

In his farewell blog posting before leaving as Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, Kip Hawley said a change to the burdensome baggie requirement is “Probably about a year away.”

Hawley said a slew of smarter A T-X-Ray devices are in the process of being deployed. “These are the machines that will be able to detect threat liquids (or powders, gels, etc.) automatically and will allow TSA to change the baggie requirement and clear up many of the head-scratching moments you now endure.”

By many experts’ estimation, Hawley has proven an unusually adept TSA chief. Among his accomplishments: a simpler security checkpoint. In his final blog, Hawley wrote about the agency’s goal of “changing (the checkpoint) up, spreading it out, and calming it down.” We are starting to see that happen, one security lane at a time, thanks to the TSA's most obvious accomplishment: separating the security process by opening up three lanes for various passenger types.

In its early gestation, TSA came in for righteous criticism. Security was inconsistent, often less than competent, and sometimes downright crazy. While still very much a work in progress, things are better now. A lot of the credit goes to Hawley and the team he assembled.  Here’s hoping the momentum he helped establish carries through into the new Administration.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler