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Dress the Part
Be
aware that any metal detected at the checkpoint must
be identified. If you set off the alarm, you will be
required to undergo a secondary screening, including
a hand-wanding and a pat-down inspection.
You can remove metal items at the security checkpoint
and place them in the bins provided. The bins will
be sent through the X-ray machine. You can save time,
however, by not wearing metal items or by placing
such items in your carry-on baggage before you get
in line.
TIP: Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry,
or other accessories that contain metal when traveling.
- Jewelry (pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches,
earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyard or
bolo tie)
- Shoes with steel tips, heels, shanks, buckles
or nails
- Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
- Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
- Belt buckles
- Under-wire brassieres
Hidden items such as body piercings may result in
a pat-down inspection. You may ask to remove your
body piercing in private as an alternative to the
pat-down search.
TIP: Avoid placing metal items
in your pockets.
- Keys, loose change, lighters
- Mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants
(PDAs)
TIP: Instead, place jewelry and
other metal items in your carry-on baggage until you
clear security.
TIP: Pack your outer coat or jacket
in your baggage when possible.
Outer coats including trench coats, ski jackets,
leather jackets, overcoats and parkas must go through
the X-ray machine for inspection. If you choose to
wear an outer coat to the checkpoint, you will need
to either place it in your carry-on or put it in the
bin that is provided for you. You will not need to
remove suit jackets or blazers unless requested by
the screener.
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Plan Ahead - Pack Smart
Carry-on
Baggage is a small piece of luggage you take
onboard the airplane with you. You are allowed one carry-on
in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer,
purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera case.
Checked Baggage is luggage you
check in at the ticket counter or at curbside. It
will not be accessible during your flight.
Below are a number of tips for packing your checked
baggage that will help to speed your trip and ensure
that your checked bag makes the flight with you.
- Don't put film in your checked baggage, as the
screening equipment will damage it.
- Consider putting personal belongings in clear
plastic bags to reduce the chance that a TSA screener
will have to handle them.
- Pack shoes, boots, sneakers, and other footwear
on top of other contents in your luggage.
- Avoid over-packing your bag so that the screener
will be able to easily reseal your bag if it is
opened for inspection. If possible, spread
your contents over several bags. Check with
your airline or travel agent for maximum weight
limitations.
- Avoid packing food and drink items in checked
baggage.
- Don't stack piles of books or documents on top
of each other; spread them out within your baggage.
You can move through the screening process more quickly
by following these packing tips:
- Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport.
- Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film
in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening
equipment will damage undeveloped film.
- Check ahead of time with your airline or travel
agent to determine the airline's baggage policy,
including number of pieces you can bring and size
and weight limitations.
- Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag
plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops,
purses, small backpacks, briefcases, or camera cases.
Remember, 1+1.
- Don't forget to place identification tags with
your name, address and phone number on all of your
baggage, including your laptop computer. It is a
good idea to place an identification tag inside
your baggage as well.
- Avoid overpacking so that your articles don't
spill out if your bag is opened for inspection.
- Think carefully about the personal items you place
in your carry-on baggage. The screeners may have
to open your bag and examine its contents.
- Consider placing articles in clear plastic bags
inside your baggage to minimize handling of your
personal items.
- Wait to wrap your gifts. Be aware that wrapped
gifts may need to be opened for inspection. This
applies to both carry-on and checked baggage.
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Before You Arrive: Final Checklist
Check
with your airline or travel agent
- To determine how early to arrive at the airport. Recommended check-in times differ by airline and airport.
- To determine whether you should go to the ticket counter or checked-baggage screening area first. Not all airports are the same since the addition of checked-baggage screening. Curbside check-in may also be available.
- If you do not have checked baggage and you already have a boarding pass, ticket or ticket confirmation, you can proceed directly to your gate through the security checkpoint. Please note that certain airlines do not offer gate check-in.
Check with your airport
- To confirm which parking lots are open if you will be parking at the airport. Some lots may be closed for security reasons. Be sure to allow extra time for parking and shuttle transportation.
Check to make sure you
- Bring a boarding pass, ticket, or ticket confirmation, such as a printed itinerary and a government-issued photo ID. Children under the age of 18 do not require an ID.
- Bring evidence verifying you have a medical implant or other device if it is likely to set off the alarm on the metal detector, bring evidence verifying this condition. Although this is not a requirement, it may help to expedite the screening process.
- Have removed prohibited items such as pocketknives, scissors, and tools from your carry-on baggage.
Have a safe trip and enjoy your flight!
For further details and information please access
the Transportation Security Administration’s
website at www.tsa.gov/public
