"Two years. Three ounces. Million headaches."

Tell us your TSA story in exactly six words

Although the contest is officially closed, you can still leave your story. We see it as doing our little part to keep air travelers sane in an increasingly maddening world.

Six-Word Story Contest on Air Travel Liquid Restrictions Opens Flood Gates

What are your thoughts on the current liquid restrictions for air travel? Wait, before you answer lets set some ground rules. You have to express yourself in exactly six words, and none can be offensive. Ah yes, thats a little more difficult, especially the part about keeping it rated PG.

But that was the challenge set forth by BottleWise and The Cranky Flier in a contest held earlier this month to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the carry-on liquid restrictions adopted by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on August 10, 2006. Judging by the responses, there are a lot of cranky, and creative, air travelers out there.

For two weeks, travelers flooded The Cranky Flier site to express their frustration, perplexity and resourcefulness when it comes to dealing with the liquid restrictions. When the contest closed Aug. 15, we had received 533 entries. Topics included references to 3-ounce bottles, quart-size baggies, long lines, traveling with wine, and favorite toiletries tossed by security. But if theres one theme to emerge, its that most travelers have learned that perhaps the most important thing to pack before heading to the airport is a good sense of humor.

Why Six Words?

Legend has it Ernest Hemingway responded to a challenge to write a six-word story with what he said was his best work: "For sale: baby shoes. Never used."

So take a look at the entries below, and then give us your best Hemingway. But be careful, these six-word stories are surprisingly addictive, but hopefully a little therapeutic as well!

Contest Entries