TSA Tips for Smooth Travel
By: Amanda Ashley
Updated: November 19, 2012
To ensure your travel goes smoothy the Transportation Security Administration has holiday reminders. Here's a look:
Remember the plastic bag rule for liquids. 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.
Wrapped packages are not recommended. 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.
Snow globes are okay if they're smaller than a tennis ball. 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.
Pies and cakes are fine, but liquid dishes like cranberry sauce that are more than 3 ounces are not permitted in your carry on. 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.
Get more travel policies and tips on the TSA Blog.
Remember the plastic bag rule for liquids. 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.
Wrapped packages are not recommended. 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.
Snow globes are okay if they're smaller than a tennis ball. 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.
Pies and cakes are fine, but liquid dishes like cranberry sauce that are more than 3 ounces are not permitted in your carry on. 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.
Get more travel policies and tips on the TSA Blog.
