March Break 2015: Make your carry-on list, check it twice

Now that airlines are charging for checked baggage, savvy travellers are finding ways to pack everything they need in a carry-on. But before you zip up and roll off to the airport, let's walk through what to leave off your list.

As the saying goes, some things were never meant to fly.

Your jackknife, for example. Yes, it can solve a myriad of travel problems. But think about it: since 2001, security screeners have been seizing blades of all varieties at airports around the world.

In the past 48 hours, they've picked up more than two dozen knives at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport alone.

Next on your no-fly list: full-sized bottles of shampoo, tanning lotion — even full tubes of toothpaste. The ban on liquids and gels is almost nine years old, but it still manages to befuddle and surprise.

The general rule: you can't take a container of more than 100 ml of liquid or gel through security. That includes your bottled water, your Starbucks — and your jars of mustard pickles. Yes, a jar of mustard pickles was collected by security staff at the Halifax airport on Wednesday.

There are exceptions to the 100 ml rule, including baby formula and medication.

Don't worry though, they sell water and coffee on the other side of the security line. There are water fountains, too. And wherever you're headed, chances are you'll be able to buy shampoo. 

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You know about the ban on smoking, but apparently it's also worth reminding flyers to leave the lighter fluid at home. It's a no-no, as at least one traveller discovered this week at the Halifax Stanfield airport.

Collecting these banned items takes time and delays everyone else, said Mathieu Larocque with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.

"It adds an extra minute or two minutes to the screening process," he said. "And it can make a big difference when there's a lot of passengers."

Larocque said he understands many of the items end up in hand luggage unintentionally.

"The vast majority of cases it's forgetfulness. And that's why we want to remind passengers to know the rules, make sure they double check their carry on bags," he said.

"If they're not sure, they can call us, they can email us, they can go on our website. They can Tweet us a picture of the item."

And finally, a word about your sports gear: you can't carry-on your favourite nine-iron, your baseball bat, or your ski poles. Check them in the hold of the plane.