It makes air travel whey too complicated.
Add protein powder to the mile-long list of things that make flying an enormous hassle. Social media users are venting about getting flagged by the Transportation Security Administration while attempting to this granulated muscle builder onboard.
“Keeping America protected by getting an explosive expert to check my wife’s protein powder,” snarked one social media user in an X post addressed to the TSA. “Current wait time >20 minutes.”
“I just got yanked aside by TSA,” said one other. “The shaker cup full of protein powder was the red flag.”
“TSA found my protein powder and called within the explosives specialist,” said comic Danny Polishchuk. “Shows in Dallas all weekend!
What makes protein powders such a hot ticket item for the TSA? The myriad specific protocols one must undergo before bringing it on board.
Despite being allowed in each carry-on and checked luggage, protein and energy powders are treated like quasi-liquids in that any “greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL have to be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening,” per the Transportation Security Administration website.
Even still, these performance-enhancing substances could be subject to additional screening, the TSA notes.
In light of the myriad hurdles, the TSA advises travelers to put non-essential powders greater than 12 oz. in checked bags.
Also make sure to refrain from adding water to protein powders before traveling.
This makes them a liquid and subsequently subject to the TSA’s beverage regulations, which stipulate that any “liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz will not be allowed in carry-on bags.”
To maximise probabilities of getting their powdered muscle milk off the no-fly list, travelers can put the aforementioned amount in labeled bags to make them easy for airport screeners to discover.
In other words, the juice shouldn’t be loose.
Passengers also can switch to protein bars, which don’t take up much space and aren’t subject to the identical stringent security regulations.
In fact, size restrictions for protein powders may vary depending on the country of departure.
