Actually, they would have been fine six years ago - the liquid ban only came into force in 2006.
And the EU would very much like to lift the ban, because it's completely pointless - it's meant to be lifted on EU flights in April 2013. Except both the US and the aviation industry is heavily lobbying for the EU to scrap their plans, for 'security' reasons (if you were cynical you might suggest budget airlines and airports benefitted from a liquids ban, as people had to spend money in airports/on planes rather than bringing their own refreshments etc).
