“Passengers forget that knives and other weapons are not allowed through our checkpoints. It’s shocking to see so many people with knives,” a TSA officer says.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — With a busy holiday travel season ahead, the Transportation Security Administration is urging people to be prepared when they leave home. There’s more to that than you might initially imagine.
In fact, TSA officials took the time to create a list of things that passengers forget, but need to remember, from what they see every day. Quite often, it’s the simple things.
“People seem to forget some of the more common and routine steps that they need to take when packing for a flight or when they are going through a checkpoint, perhaps because they’re focused on being at their destination and not focusing on what needs to happen before getting there,” TSA officer Christopher Kirchein said in a statement.
So, what does the TSA recommend you not forget next time you travel?
- You cannot bring bottles of liquid through a security checkpoint, and that applies to insulated reusable containers as well. Finish your drink in line, grab your empty reusable bottle on the other side.
- Bring your ID. Always bring your ID.
- Remove everything from your pockets, from keys and mobile phones to tissues, lip balm, breath mints, cat eyes, and more.
- Do not bring a firearm to a checkpoint. Pack it, unloaded, in a locked hard-sided case and then declare it at your airline check-in. Failing to do so can result in charges.
- Remove your shoes when getting screened, so yes, you might want to wear socks and not go barefoot.
- Children 12 and under can pass through a TSA PreCheck screening lane with a parent who does have TSA PreCheck on their boarding pass. Kids up to 18 years old can also go through TSA PreCheck with their parent if they’re on the same airline reservation.
- If you’re either 12 or younger or 75 and over, you don’t need to remove shoes and light jackets.
- Use TSA-compatible locks on luggage. If an officer need to open your luggage, that will help. If it’s not TSA-compatible, they would need to cut the lock, and you’ll ultimately need to buy a new lock.
- Medications, even if it’s a liquid, can pass through a security checkpoint. Just let TSA officers know so it can be screened separately.
- Get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license before the federal deadline arrives on May 7, 2025.
“Passengers forget that knives and other weapons are not allowed through our checkpoints. It’s shocking to see so many people with knives,” TSA officer Aisha Hicks said in a statement. “Weapons of any kind are prohibited through a TSA checkpoint.”
This post was originally published on here
