• Who We Are
• For Travelers
• What We Do
• Join Us
• Our Approach
• Media Room
• Research Center

---

• For Travelers
• 3-1-1 Liquids Policy
• How to Get Through the Line Faster
• Acceptable Identification at the Checkpoint
• Traveling with Children
• Traveling with Special Items
• Lost & Found Contact Numbers
• Customer Service
• TSA Contact Center

Helpful Hints for Holiday Travelers

Travelers

Every holiday travel season, TSA prepares its workforce of 50,000 Transportation Security Officers to ensure we provide a smooth holiday travel experience for travelers. Since this is during the busiest travel time of the year, TSA wants to remind passengers of the security procedures in place and help travelers be prepared for security, before they leave home.

Download transcript (.doc, 26kb)

The ‘Why’s’ Behind Security

TSA strives to inform the traveling public about the ‘Why’s’ behind security. The goal is to improve security by compelling airline passengers to be better prepared for the security processes, thereby resulting in less frustration and a safer and more positive experience. To learn the ‘Why’s’ behind TSA’s security procedures, Click Here.

Advanced Imaging Technology

TSA has deployed hundreds of advanced imaging technology units to airports across the country to keep the traveling public safe. To learn more about their safety, privacy, and how the technologies work, Click Here.

Pat-downs

What triggers a pat-down?
Pat-downs are used to resolve alarms at the checkpoint, including those triggered by metal detectors and AIT units. Pat-downs are also used when a person opts out of AIT screening in order to detect potentially dangerous and prohibited items. Because pat-downs are specifically used to resolve alarms and prevent dangerous items from going on a plane, the vast majority of passengers will not receive a pat-down at the checkpoint.

What can I do to prevent an alarm at the security checkpoint?
The majority of pat-downs occur when a passenger alarms either the metal detector or the AIT unit. To reduce this circumstance, the most important thing you can do is take everything out of your pockets before you go through screening. Also, when traveling, avoid wearing clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go through security.

What do I do during a pat-down?
All passengers have important rights during a pat-down. You have the right to request the pat-down be conducted in a private room and you have the right to have the pat-down witnessed by a person of your choice. All pat-downs are only conducted by same-gender officers. The officer will explain the pat-down process before and during the pat-down. If you have a medical device, please inform the officer.

Will children receive pat-downs?
Transportation Security Officers will work with parents to resolve any alarms at the checkpoint. If required, a child may receive a modified pat-down. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have taken all items out of their pockets as they go through the security checkpoint.

Secure Flight

Secure Flight requires airlines to collect a passenger’s full name (as it appears on their government-issued ID), date of birth, gender and Redress Number (if applicable). By providing complete information, passengers can significantly decrease the likelihood of watch list misidentification. To learn more about Secure Flight and what it means this holiday travel season, Click Here.

The MyTSA App

To provide passengers with 24/7 access to the most commonly requested TSA information on their mobile device, TSA has developed the MyTSA mobile application. No matter where you are, you’ll have easy access to information you need to get through security and onto the plane safely and smoothly. To learn more, Click Here.

The 3-1-1 Policy for Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols

Liquid explosives still pose a threat and for that reason TSA limits the amount of liquids passengers can safely carry through the security checkpoint. This limitation applies only to carry-on bags. Larger quantities of liquids, gels, and aerosols can be safely packed in checked baggage.

Here are the rules:

• 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols; placed in a
• 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to hold all small bottles;
• 1 bag per passenger placed in a screening bin

Larger quantities of breast milk/baby formula and medically necessary liquids are permitted but must be presented to an officer for further inspection. For more information on traveling with medically necessary liquids, click here.

Traveling With Kids or Your Parents? Use Family Lanes

Families or individuals traveling with medically necessary liquids this holiday season can use TSA's Family Lanes to have a more pleasant travel experience. There are Family Lanes at every security checkpoint allowing families and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace. Individuals carrying medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols in excess of three ounces will also be directed to these popular lanes. Individuals traveling with liquids, gels and aerosols within 3-1-1 limits will not experience any change to their screening procedures. These lanes are marked by signage at each security checkpoint.

Traveling with Food

Everyone has favorite foods from home that they want to bring to holiday dinners, or items from their destination that they want to bring back home. Travelers should know that while pies are permitted through the security checkpoint, here is a list of liquids, gels and aerosol items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home.

• Cranberry sauce
• Creamy dips and spreads
  (cheeses, peanut butter, etc.)
• Gift baskets with food items
  (salsa, jams and salad dressings)
• Gravy
• Jams
• Jellies

• Maple syrup
• Oils and vinegars
• Salad dressing
• Salsa
• Sauces
• Soups
• Wine, liquor and beer
   

Items that are purchased after the security checkpoint have been pre-screened and can be taken on the plane.

Traveling with Gifts and Snow Globes

Remember not to wrap gifts before you travel. Our security officers may have to un-wrap a gift if they need to take a closer look inside. This applies to both carry-ons at the security checkpoint and to checked baggage. Please ship wrapped gifts ahead of time or wait until you arrive at your destination to wrap them. Additionally, TSA does not permit snow globes through the security checkpoint because they contain an undetermined amount of liquid. Snow globes are permitted in checked baggage.

TSA Travel Checklist

Before Packing

• Quart sized zip top bag (Hint: 1 bag per passenger is permitted)
• 3 ounces or less sized containers of liquids, gels and aerosols (3-1-1)
• Visit TSA.gov to review the prohibited items list for both carry-on and checked baggage
• If purchasing a luggage lock, be sure to look for those that are recognized by TSA (Locks)
• It can be helpful to tape a card with your name and contact information on any large electronics (like laptops)

When Packing

• Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.) (Pack For Security)
• Pack large electronics on top layer of carry-on for easy accessibility
• Place your 3-1-1 bag with liquids, gels and aerosols in front pocket of your carry-on for easy accessibility

Before Leaving for Airport

• Give yourself enough time to arrive at airport early
• Wear easily removable shoes
• Make sure to have accepted government issued identification and boarding pass if printed at home (Acceptable Identification)

Before Entering Checkpoint

• Look for Family/Medical Liquids Lanes if special assistance is needed for families (Family Lanes)
• Be sure to place all items from pockets and any bulky metal jewelry in carry-on bag or purse
• Have ID and boarding pass out for inspection

After Entering Checkpoint

• Remove 3-1-1 bag and place in bin
• Remove shoes and place directly on belt for quick screening (Shoes)
• Remove coats and jackets and place in bin (Outerwear)
• Remove computers and large electronics from carry on and place in bin alone (video game consoles, remote control toys, etc.) (Large Electronics)
• Ensure no items remain in your pockets before proceeding to the walk-through metal detector or imaging technology (keys, cell phones, comb, eyeglasses, etc.) (Imaging Technology)
• Remember to check bins and collect all belongings following screening

Helpful Travel Information

• Information on traveling with food and gifts
• Learn more about the 3-1-1 Policy
• Tips on traveling with children
• Tips on traveling with passengers with special needs
• Complete list of prohibited items
• Identification requirements
• Information on traveling with unique items, including sporting equipment
• Tips on how to pack for security