Press Release
Featured in www.travel-travel-travel.com
SIZE UP SECURITY WITH THE MUST-HAVE TRAVEL KIT
It was not so long ago that my carry-on was reserved for valuables, a change of clothing and my favorite toiletries. It still is, except that liquid, gel or aerosol containers must be downsized to three ounces or less, and they must all fit into a locked single, liter or quart-size clear bag to conform to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations in the United States, CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) in Canada and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) overseas.
There are some liquids I cannot possibly survive without, especially my facewash, hairspray and perfume mist. On a recent connecting flight through Cincinnati I was relieved of my precious hairspray just because the prerequisite size was not marked on the bottle, grrrrrr.
I requested security personnel empty the contents so I could keep the container, but I was told I would have to return to the common area, dispose the liquid and then rejoin the line to be screened again. Guess who won?
An associate had the Christian Dior lip gloss she purchased at the duty-free shop in Rio de Janeiro confiscated as she prepared to board a connecting flight from Miami to Toronto. If in doubt, check it, but lip gloss applied with a sponge tip? Go figure!
If only we had the Must-Have Travel Kit (MHTK), an all-in-one collection of travel containers. Seven flip-top bottles, two jars, a spray mister and a pack of four freshen-up towelettes are included in the kit. Stick-on labels reflect the individual content size for a total of one liter or a quart.
The kit is the brainchild of veteran airline employee-turned-entrepreneur, Vicky Ratcliffe, who thought she would have to ditch her carry-on habit when enforced limits on liquids were mandated in 2006. After enduring a year of trial and error extremes (using leaky or unyielding plastic bottles), Ratcliffe decided to design a kit that would conform to CATSA regulations.
Thanks to Ratcliffe’s MHTK I have sailed through the security lines in Rome and Pisa, and delays became a thing of the past when I flew to Naples and the Everglades via Ft. Myers. On a trip to the Great Smokies for a girlfriend’s getaway, there were no hassles at the airports in Knoxville or Chicago and it was a breeze traveling via Orlando for a nature tour I did around Central Florida.
Considering all the costly new weight restrictions by airlines, traveling light is the way to go, just leave the full-size toiletries at home. The travel size containers fit neatly into a zippered cosmetic 6”x9” transparent bag that allows security to process its contents quickly and efficiently. Sure there are some beauty products available in travel sizes, but many of us prefer to take along our favorite items.
Without the kit, you could be in for a surprise as not all security checkpoints make the re-sealable bags available to passengers (e.g. Orlando.) You are required to remove the bag with all liquids and gels from your carry-on and place it in the bin to be scanned. The kit is a sure way to avoid the embarrassment of holding up the line and avoiding dagger stares from fellow travelers. Remember, security personnel have the last word on what you can or cannot take on board with you.
The MHTK is the answer to every traveler’s nightmare who are forced to surrender personal toiletries. Imagine arriving at a foreign destination where you do not speak the language minus your grooming products. For guys it might be a minor inconvenience, but for gals, it is disastrous!
This occurs nearly a million times every week at airports across Canada and many times that number in the United States.
Overzealous security staff can take the fun out of traveling. A few weeks ago our press group arrived in Barbados en route to Grenada and we were required to check in with security for the onward flight. At one point the “liquid rules” became a tad hard to swallow for Katarina, our escort. She had forgotten to put her cosmetics in a re-sealable bag and was informed they would be confiscated or she could pay a fine for their return (never heard of that rule.) Fortunately I located an airport issued bag tucked in my carryon and we were able to “rescue” her from having to make a grim choice.
The MHTK is currently available at all CAA locations in South Central Ontario, Tilley’s Endurables, Travel Stop Toronto, Capital Luggage Ottawa, Sparrows Luggage & Leather Goods Oakville and other luggage and outdoor Canadian outlets. You can also purchase them at duty free stores in Ontario and British Columbia, and if Ratcliffe gets her way they will be showing up on retail shelves in California and the United Kingdom too.
The $20 kit is approved for carry-on travel around the world, and this long overdue accessory is sure to save a lot of valuable time, money and angst. It’s also the perfect choice for all occasion gifts, even for those popular Jack ‘N Jill wedding showers! And during the holiday season, it’s a first-class choice for all the travelers on your gift list.
At press time, over 4,000 kits have been sold and 5,000 of these red hot items (featuring a jazzed up look) have just arrived in time to fill new and back orders.
For availability visit www.travel-rite.ca for an updated list of retail outlets.
PamelaAnn Campbell editor, www.travel-travel-travel.comNecessity: the Mother of Invention
Oakville – March 6, 2008 - Frustrated by the experience of going through airport security, and tired of having expensive items confiscated because of non-compliance, Victoria Ratcliffe, owner of Travel Rite Accessories decided to take matters into her own hands by designing the first approved and complete carry-on travel kit.
CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) confirms that the Must Have Travel Kit meets all Canadian regulations related to the transport of liquid, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage.
The Must Have Travel Kit also conforms to international regulations set out by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)
Everything travellers need is in one tidy regulation-size clear zipped toiletry bag. Each container is clearly marked with the maximum volume the container holds. This eliminates guess work for both traveller and security personnel and also complies with the 1QT/1L Total regulation. The Must-Have Travel Kit contains:
- three 59ml/2oz bottles
- four 29ml/1oz bottles
- two 7.39ml/0.25oz jars
- one spray mist top
- one package of Must-Have Freshen-up Towellettes
- labels for identifying contents of bottles & jars
AS SEEN IN:
- Gearing Up - Toronto Star Travel Section - February 23/08
- SNAP - Community Newspaper/Oakville - January 2008
- Editors Blog - Lou Lou Magazine - April 2008
- Entrepreneur of the Month - Halton Region - March/April 2008
- www.travel-travel-travel.com November 2008
- Pitched to the Dragon on CBC Dragons Den 2008 Season
