Why are liquids banned on airlines?

Question

How can a bottle of water or orange juice be dangerous?

Answer 1

Uh, didnt you hear about the liquid bomb threats in London a few years ago or so?

Just because something looks like OJ, or is in an OJ bottle, doesnt mean it is. It wouldnt take a rocket scientist to disguise a liquid bomb to look like juice.

I never understood why this bothers people so much. Are you so thristy that you need to drink while you go through security? Just buy a bottle of water or juice after security and bring it on board if you want. If you cant afford the extra buck or two you probably should not be flying anyway.

Answer 2

Prior to 9/11, my experience with the security line is that if you were carrying liquids, they'd make you take a gulp of it.  Personally, I think that is sufficient.  Nobody could possibly swallow lighter fluid, or any other dangerous chemical, without it being very apparent from their reaction that it wasn't something one would normally drink.