(CNN) -- Air travelers might have to get used to stuffing lipstick and lotion into their luggage rather than carry it with them in the wake of a plot to destroy airliners with liquid-based explosives, security experts say.
The Transportation Security Administration issued new rules banning nearly all liquids, including beverages, lotions and hair gels, from being taken on planes after British authorities arrested at least 24 suspects in the plot.
British airlines went even further, banning all carry-on luggage except for keys, wallets, glasses and other essentials. Medications and baby formula are being allowed. (Full story)
Jamie Bowden, a former terminal manager at London's Heathrow Airport, said the new rules may be here to stay.
"I think certainly here in the U.K. and certainly in the States as well, people are now getting used to kind of a new way of travel," Bowden told CNN on Friday. "So that I think, although the airlines certainly don't want these kinds of restrictions, if they believe through government intelligence that it's much safer to fly like this, that may be a new way that people are going to have to get used to flying."
The TSA hasn't indicated how long the restrictions would remain in place but said on its Web site that "these measures will be constantly evaluated and updated as circumstances warrant."
U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Michigan, said the plot "eliminates the days of carry-on baggage," according to The Associated Press.
Nancy McKinley of the International Airline Passengers Association said the new rules are going to be a "huge adjustment," especially for business travelers.
"The challenge is going to be with the airlines on all the luggage [that] is checked and can it actually get to the destination in a reasonable amount of time once you get there -- how long do you have to wait for it and all of that," she said. (Watch how airports are getting bags through screening and to planes -- 1:47)
McKinley said some airports are urging people to arrive three hours before their flights.
"That's going to be difficult for business travelers, too. That takes a big hunk out of your day," she said.
A senior congressional source said authorities believe the plotters planned to mix a British sports drink with a gel-like substance to make an explosive that they possibly could trigger with an MP3 player or cell phone.
The components of the bomb would appear harmless until they were combined aboard the planes. (Full story)
The TSA has not banned U.S. passengers from carrying laptops, cell phones, MP3 players or BlackBerrys onto planes.
McKinley said it would "just be a nightmare" for business travelers if they did.
"If they try to take laptops and cell phones and put them into checked baggage, that creates a whole new problem," she said. "Because in the past, those type of things (were) not covered. If your luggage is lost and you have something like that in your luggage, it's not covered."
McKinley said she was confident that the restrictions eventually would be eased, once screening technology catches up with the threat.
"I mean there are studies going on right now to get more equipment, more updated equipment that can be changed out so that it doesn't become archaic, and I think that's where the focus has got to go," she said.
After the September 11, 2001, attacks, authorities banned passengers from carrying sharp objects such as knives, scissors and nail clippers. Passengers also were required to have their shoes examined after Briton Richard Reid tried to blow up a plane with a bomb hidden in his shoe.
In December, the TSA decided to allow passengers to carry scissors and small tools on board. (Full story)
Rafi Ron, former head of security at Tel Aviv, Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, said screeners should focus more on finding suspicious people than on hunting for potential terrorist tools.
"It is extremely difficult for people to disguise the fact they are under tremendous amount of stress, that they are going to kill themselves and a lot of people around them in a short amount of time, and all the other factors that effect their behavior," Ron said.