Airport travel tips for the holiday season
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WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration has recorded record numbers of travelers this year and the holiday season is expected to be one of the busiest on record at Washington, D.C. area airports.
According to the TSA, the most common thing that slows a traveler at a checkpoint is the presence of a prohibited item in their carry-on bag.
Here are some TSA holiday airport travel tips you can use to make sure your holiday flight goes smoothly:
Arrive early at the airport
Travelers should arrive at least two hours before their scheduled domestic flight and three hours before their scheduled international flight.
If you find yourself waiting in a security line, use that time to your advantage. Now is the perfect time to take items out of your pockets and place them in a carry-on bag. This is also the time to take out your ID and boarding pass so that you aren't fumbling through your wallet looking for your ID when you go to the airport's travel document verification podium. TSA.
Know before you go
Travelers need to know what can and can't fit in their carry-on bag, from firearms to oversized liquids. Passengers will spend more time at the security checkpoint if their carry-on bags trigger an alarm, because TSA will then have to resolve the alarm by opening the carry-on bag to determine what triggered the alarm.
The most common items brought by travelers to the checkpoint and not allowed through the screening process are liquids, gels and aerosols that exceed the acceptable limit. Each passenger can carry liquids, gels and aerosols of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less through a checkpoint if those items fit in a one-liter resealable bag. This is called the 3-1-1 bag. Common travel items that must comply with the liquid rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, body spray, mouthwash and lotions. Larger containers of liquids, gels and aerosols can be carried in checked baggage. This includes snow globes, which are popular this time of year.
TSA agents also see travelers arriving at the checkpoint with bottled water, juice, energy drinks, coffee and soda. TSA officers will give travelers the choice of exiting the security checkpoint to drink their drinks in the terminal or allowing the officer to dispose of them. Travelers can bring empty containers such as a water bottle or insulated container to checkpoints and refill them after passing through the checkpoint.
Use TSA tools for your resources
Not sure if an item should be packed in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, one or both, or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which features a convenient “What can I bring?” » feature that lets you grab the object to see if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers can submit a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
What if I travel with gifts?
It's the time of year when passengers travel with gifts. The TSA recommends wrapping gifts in gift bags or boxes instead of wrapping them, because if a gift sets off an alarm, it will need to be opened to resolve the alarm. Wrapped gifts that trigger an alarm will need to be removed from the gift wrap, but if the gift is in a bag or box, it is much easier for TSA to examine the item to resolve the alarm.
What if I travel with food?
Individuals often like to travel with food during the holiday season. Food can be carried on board flights. Solid foods like fruitcake, candy canes and chocolates are solid foods and can be carried in carry-on baggage. However, liquids and spreads such as eggnog, wine, champagne, maple syrup and canned goods are not solid and must be packaged in checked bags. Here's a helpful tip: If you can spill, spread, spray, pump or pour it and it's larger than 3.4 ounces, it should be packaged in a checked bag.
Here is the full TSA list.
The source : The Transportation Security Administration and FOX 5 contributed to this report
