New Security Procedures
Travel Preparation
Permitted & Prohibited Items
Families traveling with children
Traveling with pets
Traveling with sports equipment
Food & Beverage Policy
Time Saving Tips
FAQ's Common
Passenger Questions
Welcome to the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) comprehensive travel guide for you, the flying public. Here you will find everything you need to know about new airport security measures. You will discover a list of timesaving tips, information on assistance for special needs, the latest list of prohibited and permitted items, and other information that will help guide you smoothly through the security process.
Travel Preparation
Prepare for Takeoff is more than a slogan; it is a call for action. Everyone needs to play an active role in contributing to air travel security. Together, airlines, airports, travel agents, government officials, and you, the passenger, can contribute to making air travel safe, secure, and efficient.
How can I contribute?
Become a Smart Traveler. There are preparations you can make before you arrive at the airport to help you move more quickly and efficiently through the new security processes. Here you will find suggestions on what to wear to the airport and how to pack for your trip. We’ve also included a pre-flight checklist to help you Prepare for Takeoff.
By familiarizing yourself with the security process and following these tips and recommendations you will be able to play an active role in ensuring your own safety and comfort.
Dress the Part
Security does not require any particular style or type of clothing. However, certain clothing and accessories can set off an alarm on the metal detector and slow you down.
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. They will then go through the X-ray machine. You can save time, however, by not wearing items that will need to be removed. 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.
· 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
· Avoid placing metal items in your pockets.
Keys, loose change, lighters , Mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs)
Instead, place jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage until you clear security.
· 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.
Pack Smart
There are restrictions on what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage. All of your baggage will be screened and possibly hand-searched as part of the new security measures. This inspection may include emptying most or all of the articles in your bag.
Checked Baggage is luggage you check in at the ticket counter or at curbside. It will not be accessible during your flight.
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.
TIP
You can move through the screening process more quickly by following these packing tips
- Pack all metal items, including the contents of your pockets, in your carry-on baggage. Examples: Mobile phones, pagers, keys, lighters, and loose change
- 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.
- Avoid over packing 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.
Where Should I Pack It? Carry-on or Checked
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Following is a partial list of common items you might pack for a trip. |
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Film and Cameras Loaded with Film Should always go into your carry-on baggage and NOT your checked baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film. You may request the screener to inspect by hand any photographic materials. |
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Medication Diabetes supplies such as syringes and injectors ARE permitted and should be packed in your carry-on baggage for your convenience. All prescription medication should be properly marked, with professionally printed pharmaceutical labels. |
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Personal Care or Grooming Items Such as nail files, nail clippers, tweezers, and safety razors ARE permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage. |
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Electronic Devices Mobile phones, pagers, games, etc. ARE permitted in carry-on and checked baggage. Packing them in your carry-on baggage will help you move more quickly through the screening process. Laptop computers are permitted as well, but must be removed from your carry-on baggage at the security checkpoint and sent through the X-ray machine separately. |
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Knitting or Sewing Needles and Crochet Hooks These ARE permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage. |
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Sporting GoodsSuch as baseball bats, golf clubs, hockey and lacrosse sticks ARE NOT permitted in your carry-on baggage. They may be included with your checked baggage. |
Get on Your Mark…You’re dressed, packed and ready to go. Or are you? Here is a pre-flight checklist to help you Prepare for Takeoff. Contact your airline or travel agent for additional information
Get Ready…
· 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.
· If you will be parking at the airport, check with your airport to confirm which parking lots are open. Some lots may be closed for security reasons. Be sure to allow extra time for parking and shuttle transportation.
· 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.
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.
If you have a medical implant or other device that 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.
Double check your carry-on baggage to make sure you have removed prohibited items such as pocketknives, scissors, and tools.
Check with your airline or travel agent 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.
Have a safe trip and enjoy your flight!