The first step to mastering 3-1-1 happens long before you reach the airport: The Pre-Flight Edit, The goal here is to drastically reduce the number of items that count against your limited liquid allowance by converting as many toiletries as possible into solid form. Swap out liquid face wash for a solid bar or powder cleanser, replace gel deodorant with a stick, and exchange liquid perfume for a solid balm or spray. Every solid you pack is a victory, freeing up precious milliliters in your quart bag for the non-negotiable liquids like foundation, contact solution, or prescription creams.

The single, clear quart-size bag is your most valuable piece of travel real estate. To harness The Power of the Quart Bag, you must abandon the idea of simply tossing items in. Instead, treat it like a strategic Tetris game: lay flat items (like small tubes and foil packets) across the bottom, and only use small, vertically oriented containers (like travel vials) to fill the gaps. Crucially, resist the urge to use containers larger than 3.4 ounces, even if they're partially full—the TSA rule is based on container size, not content volume.

A key strategy for achieving seamless security is mastering The Security Theater Staging. In many airports TSA still requires that your liquid bag be removed from your carry-on and placed separately in a bin for screening. To avoid fumbling and holding up the line, the quart bag should always be placed in the most easily accessible pocket of your carry-on or personal item, often an external zippered pocket or the very top section of the main compartment. By knowing exactly where it is and having it ready to pull out in seconds, you can approach the security belt with confidence and speed.