We’re
once again coming up on the busiest travel time of the year. I can’t believe
it’s here already. I know I say that every year, but it seems like it gets here
faster every year! TSA is fully staffed and prepared for the high volume of
passengers this holiday season. We have coordinated staffing and are committed
to processing passengers as safely and efficiently as possible. Passengers can
make their experience better by coming prepared and arriving early.
As I’ve
done the last several years, I’ve put a list of travel tips, news, and helpful
links together to make your holiday travel a little easier.
Risk
Based Expedited Screening:
TSA has implemented TSA
Pre✓™,
an expedited prescreening initiative for known travelers, active
duty service members and airline crewmembers at select airports, and
modified procedures for screening passengers 12 and under
and 75
and older to reduce, although not eliminate, the need for a pat-down. TSA
Pre✓™ is currently available in 32
airports and will be in 35
airports by the end of the year.
TSA
Contact Center:
The Contact Center hours were recently extended and a representative is now
available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Eastern time; weekends and federal
holidays, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern time. The TCC can be reached at 866-289-9673.
Passengers can also reach out to the TSA
Contact Center (TCC) with questions about TSA procedures, upcoming travel
or to provide feedback or voice concerns. Unfortunately, we can’t assist with
questions related to preparing a turkey or any other delicious holiday staples.
TSA
Cares Helpline:
Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and medical conditions
may call the TSA
Cares helpline toll free 855-787-2227, 72 hours prior to traveling with any
questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the
security checkpoint. A TSA Cares helpline representative is available during
all TSA Contact Center hours.
The
MyTSA App: Want
TSA information anywhere, anytime? Use the MyTSA app. Among the great features, there’s a “Can I
Bring My…” tool. Want to know if you can pack a turducken or a light saber?
This is the tool for you. Type in the name of the item you’re curious about and
it tells you if the item is permitted or not, along with packing tips. This
isn’t a Magic 8 Ball, so please don’t expect it to prophetically answer yes and
no questions. A wait time feature is also available. It relies on crowd sourcing, which
means the more people who use it, the better.
Expanded
Use of Canines:
To further enhance explosive detection screening, TSA is expanding its use of canine
teams and deploying them throughout the airport environment, including the
security checkpoint. These teams are trained to detect trace amounts of
explosives that are present in the air.
Wrapped
gifts are allowed, but not encouraged: Wrapped
gifts are allowed, but we recommend waiting until you land. If
there’s something in the gift that needs to be inspected, we may have to open
it. Our officers try their best not to mangle the gift wrap, but it’s not a
guarantee and it also slows down the line for everybody else when we have to do
this. We’d rather unwrap the gifts that are under our trees.
3-1-1 (Liquids, Gels & Aerosols): If you’re checking a bag, make
things simple by packing liquids in your checked luggage. That way, you don’t
have to worry about the 3-1-1 liquids rules. (If you’re concerned about
them leaking, do what I do and put them in a zip-top bag.) But I know that
doesn’t work for everyone if you’re only bringing a carry-on bag. If you
have to take liquids in your carry-on, please continue reading… 3-1-1 is a
quick way to remember how our liquids policy works. You
can read here for more details, but here is the gist: each passenger is
allowed to take as many 3.4 ounce or less sized containers that will fit
in one sealed clear quart-sized zip-top bag – and one bag per
person. Make sure you take the zip-top bag out of your carry-on
prior to sending it through the X-ray.
- Beverages: Wine, liquor, beer, and all of your favorite beverages are permitted in your checked baggage. You can also bring beverages packaged in 3.4 oz or less bottles in your carry-on bags in the 3-1-1 baggie. Eggnog can be an alternate to fuel depending on who’s mixing it. Sometimes there’s a fine line between a beverage and hazmat. Just sayin’…
- Makeup: Any liquid makeup cosmetics such as eyeliner, nail polish, liquid foundation, etc. should be placed in the baggie. That goes for perfume as well. Powder makeup is fine.
- Deodorant: Stick deodorant is not limited to 3.4 oz or less, but gel or spray deodorant is.
- Some Snow Globes are Permitted Now: TSA now allows small snow globes in carry-on luggage when packed in a passenger's plastic 3-1-1 bag. Snow globes that appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces (approximately tennis-ball size) will be permitted if the entire snow globe, including the base, is able to fit in the same one clear, plastic, quart-sized, re-sealable bag as a passenger’s other liquids.
- Gel Inserts for shoes are now permitted.
- Foods: Cakes, pies, bread, donuts, turkeys, etc. are all permitted. Here is a list of items that should be placed in your checked bags or shipped: cranberry sauce, creamy dips and spreads (cheeses, peanut butter, etc.), gift baskets with liquid or gel food items (salsa, jams and salad dressings), gravy, jams, jellies, maple syrup, oils and vinegars, sauces, soups, wine, liquor and beer.
Double
Check Your Bag for Guns: Seriously!!!
It sounds silly, but if you read our Week in Review
posts, you’ll see that our officers find guns every day at checkpoints in the
U.S. A good percentage of those are loaded. Save yourself the hassle of a
bag check, a police interview and a potential arrest by making sure you leave
your gun at home.
Pat-downs
& Body Scanners: A
very small percentage of passengers receive pat-downs. To reduce the need for a
pat-down, the most important thing you can do is take everything out of your
pockets before screening. You can put these items in your carry-on bag. Don't
wear clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go
through security. You will also receive a pat-down if you choose to opt out of
our Advanced Imaging Technology (Body Scanners). Check out this post to read some myths and facts about the
pat-down. If you
have a hidden medical device (insulin pump, ostomy bag, brace, etc.), please
let the officer know.
Shaving Razors: You can get
more info from our blog post on this subject where the pictures will answer
all of your questions.
Forgotten
or Lost IDs: If
you have lost or forgotten your ID, you will still be permitted to fly as long
as you help us verify you are who you say you are by answering a few questions.
Follow
us on Twitter for
travel tips, blog post announcements, and other useful information. You can
find a list of our national and regional twitter accounts here. Also, be sure to
print out this handy travel
checklist prior to packing.
Happy Holidays!
If
you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you
can contact us by clicking here.
