TSA Air Travel Advice - New Updates
TSA Prohibited and Permitted Items
Click here
to download the TSA
prohibited items brochure
(pdf, 131 KB)
Remember to pack your seatbelt extender in your carry-on. Use our Seat Belt Extender Guide to help you select which type you will need for your flight.
Prohibited Items
Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints. The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.
1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items. There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices NEW!!!
Lithium-ion batteries, often found in laptop computers, differ from primary lithium batteries, which are often used in cameras. Some newer AA-size batteries are also primary lithium.
Keep batteries and equipment with you, or in carry-on baggage - not in your checked baggage! In the cabin, flight crew can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur.
If original packaging is not available for spare batteries, effectively insulate battery terminals by isolating the batteries from contact with other batteries and metal. Do not permit a loose battery to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys, jewelry or your seat belt extender.
Place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag, or package, or place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals. Isolating terminals prevents short-circuiting.
Baggage Locks
TSA screens every passenger's baggage before it is placed on an airplane. While technology allows TSA to electronically screen bags, there are times when we need to physically inspect a piece of luggage. TSA has worked with several companies to develop locks that can be opened by security officers using universal "master" keys so that the locks may not have to be cut. These locks are available at airports and travel stores nationwide. The packaging on the locks indicates whether they can be opened by TSA.
Do I Have to Remove My Shoes?
Yes, you are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. This includes all types of footwear, including flip-flops and slippers. Due to the Homeland Security threat level being raised for the U.S. aviation sector worldwide this is critical to protect the world's travelers who transit by air to and from the United States. Security Officers will ask that you remove your shoes before entering the metal detector based on the fact that many types of footwear can be used to carry prohibited items. When a Security Officer asks you to remove your shoes, please do. If you refuse, you will not be able to board your flight.
Travel Dress Code
Theres no particular style or type of clothing that you should wear from a security point of view. You are permitted to wear head coverings and religious garments during the screening process. You may be directed to additional screening if your clothing (religious or otherwise) is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items. In addition, certain clothing and accessories can set off an alarm on the metal detector and slow you down. Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal when traveling through the security checkpoints: Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties)
Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
Belt buckles
Under-wire bras
Hidden items such as body piercings may result in your being directed to additional screening for a pat-down inspection. If selected for additional screening, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
Take metal items such as keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) out of your pockets.
Place heavy jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage or in plastic bags if they are offered, until you clear security.
Pack all your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. These include, but are not limited to, trench coats, heavy winter coats, suit jackets, sport coats and blazers. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket 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.
Disability-related items permitted through the security checkpoint include:
Wheelchairs
Scooters
Crutches
Canes
Walkers
Prosthetic devices
Casts
Support braces
Support appliances
Service animals
Baby apnea monitors
Orthopedic shoes
Exterior medical devices
Assistive/adaptive equipment
Augmentation devices
Ostomy supplies
CPAP machines & respirators
Hearing aids
Cochlear implants
Tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly
Personal supplemental oxygen
CO2 personal oxygen concentrators
Tools for prosthetic devices
Medications and associated supplies
Braille note takers
Slate and stylus
All diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies
Any other disability-related equipment and associated supplies
If you have questions about airport security, please call the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 during the following hours of operation (all times are Eastern Standard Time):
Monday thru Friday 8am - 10pm Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 10am - 6pm
Home
Remember to pack your seatbelt extender in your carry-on. Use our Seat Belt Extender Guide to help you select which type you will need for your flight.
Prohibited Items
Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints. The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.
1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items. There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices NEW!!!
Lithium-ion batteries, often found in laptop computers, differ from primary lithium batteries, which are often used in cameras. Some newer AA-size batteries are also primary lithium.
Keep batteries and equipment with you, or in carry-on baggage - not in your checked baggage! In the cabin, flight crew can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur.
If original packaging is not available for spare batteries, effectively insulate battery terminals by isolating the batteries from contact with other batteries and metal. Do not permit a loose battery to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys, jewelry or your seat belt extender.
Place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag, or package, or place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals. Isolating terminals prevents short-circuiting.
Baggage Locks
TSA screens every passenger's baggage before it is placed on an airplane. While technology allows TSA to electronically screen bags, there are times when we need to physically inspect a piece of luggage. TSA has worked with several companies to develop locks that can be opened by security officers using universal "master" keys so that the locks may not have to be cut. These locks are available at airports and travel stores nationwide. The packaging on the locks indicates whether they can be opened by TSA.
Do I Have to Remove My Shoes?
Yes, you are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. This includes all types of footwear, including flip-flops and slippers. Due to the Homeland Security threat level being raised for the U.S. aviation sector worldwide this is critical to protect the world's travelers who transit by air to and from the United States. Security Officers will ask that you remove your shoes before entering the metal detector based on the fact that many types of footwear can be used to carry prohibited items. When a Security Officer asks you to remove your shoes, please do. If you refuse, you will not be able to board your flight.
Travel Dress Code
Theres no particular style or type of clothing that you should wear from a security point of view. You are permitted to wear head coverings and religious garments during the screening process. You may be directed to additional screening if your clothing (religious or otherwise) is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items. In addition, certain clothing and accessories can set off an alarm on the metal detector and slow you down. Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal when traveling through the security checkpoints: Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties)
Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
Belt buckles
Under-wire bras
Hidden items such as body piercings may result in your being directed to additional screening for a pat-down inspection. If selected for additional screening, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
Take metal items such as keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) out of your pockets.
Place heavy jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage or in plastic bags if they are offered, until you clear security.
Pack all your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. These include, but are not limited to, trench coats, heavy winter coats, suit jackets, sport coats and blazers. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket 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.
Disability-related items permitted through the security checkpoint include:
Wheelchairs
Scooters
Crutches
Canes
Walkers
Prosthetic devices
Casts
Support braces
Support appliances
Service animals
Baby apnea monitors
Orthopedic shoes
Exterior medical devices
Assistive/adaptive equipment
Augmentation devices
Ostomy supplies
CPAP machines & respirators
Hearing aids
Cochlear implants
Tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly
Personal supplemental oxygen
CO2 personal oxygen concentrators
Tools for prosthetic devices
Medications and associated supplies
Braille note takers
Slate and stylus
All diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies
Any other disability-related equipment and associated supplies
If you have questions about airport security, please call the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 during the following hours of operation (all times are Eastern Standard Time):
Monday thru Friday 8am - 10pm Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 10am - 6pm
Home
