TSA agents share 8 mistakes that slow down security lines during the holidays — and what to do instead

Flying on a random Wednesday in October can be stressful. But flying in December – when Air travel records are continuously being broken – It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. Luckily, there are several ways you can set yourself up for success before you face the craziness of holiday travel, starting with the dreaded security line. And, who is better Give us flyers with less information than the TSA agents themselvesRecently, I had the pleasure of speaking with two TSA officers from Denver International Airport and a former TSA officer from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The trio were happy to share their top tips about not setting off metal detectors, holding up lines, and worse, abandoning your valuables during this busy time of year.

In addition to tried-and-true tips like arriving at the airport at least 30 minutes earlier than usual to account for the large passenger flow, he also stressed the importance of listening to the TSA officer in your line; Screening procedures vary depending on the equipment (including sniffer dogs) being used at that exact time. Instead of relying on muscle memory, pay close attention to the officer in front of you because only they know whether you have to take off your shoes or not. remove your electronicsAnd so on.

In an ideal world, we could all teleport home for the holidays. But since we can’t do that, keep scrolling to find out the eight common mistakes TSA agents see travelers make during the holiday season, and what they recommend doing instead. Pro Tip: Download MyTSA App Before your trip. This will show you if there are delays at your departure airport. And if you’re traveling with a disabled person or someone who needs extra assistance, check tsa cares, It’s a free service that isn’t used enough.

Don’t pack: too many liquids

Pack Instead: A Quart-Size Bag

Modengkongjian TSA-Approved Toiletry Bag

Chief TSA officer Daniela Guzman told me she sees a lot of travelers traveling with oversized toiletries during the holidays because they’ll be staying with family for extended periods of time. Still, everyone must follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids (3 ounces of liquid, one quart-sized bag, and one bag per passenger). Ensure a seamless travel experience with this Amazon-favorite toiletry bag, which has over 2,000 five-star ratings and meets the size requirement. It’s made of thick, transparent PVC and, unlike Ziplock bags, is reusable. a buyer Found that they “ensure a hassle-free experience at security checkpoints.”

Don’t pack: Liquids in bottles with a capacity greater than 3.4 ounces

Pack Instead: Liquids in Reusable TSA-Approved Bottles

Toselfe 18-Pack Travel Bottles Set

“Large-sized liquids are the number one prohibited item we see during the holidays,” TSA spokesperson Lori Dankers told me. She explained that even if your 6-ounce bottle only has 2 ounces of product left, it’s still on the naughty list. Instead, keep your favorite products in these reusable travel size containers. This 18-piece set has over 30,000 five-star ratings and comes with a variety of containers, including spray bottles, cream jars, and squeezable silicone bottles. It also includes a funnel for refilling, a spatula for getting out the last few drops of product, and a brush for cleaning the containers.

Convenience Kit Women’s 10-Piece Grooming and Hygiene Travel Kit

If you don’t want the hassle of filling separate containers, get this pre-packaged travel kit, which a buyer It has been described as “great value for the price”. The kit’s clear TSA-compliant reusable zippered case includes 10 essential items from recognizable brands like Colgate and Palmer. There’s a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, lotion, conditioner, shower cap, shampoo and more. Personally, I think this kit makes a great stocking stuffer for those who procrastinate packing until the last minute. This also makes the perfect gift for that person on your list who always forgets a cosmetic item or two.

Don’t pack: gifts that are already wrapped

Pack Instead: Gift Bags or Gift Boxes

Parsup 8-Piece Christmas Gift Bag Set

Guzman and her coworkers don’t like it when they have to open wrapped gifts to empty a package — whether it’s in carry-on or checked luggage. “It feels terrible to us because you took the time to wrap that gift and now we’re taking the time to open it,” she explained. To avoid this time crunch, travel together gift bag Instead make inspection easier for TSA agents (and help you avoid re-wrapping the present). These gift bags from Amazon get serious points for being durable and suitable for all types of travel. Because they are made of high quality non-woven fabric, they do not tear and can be reused. Choose from eight color combinations, and shop them before they sell out; They’re so popular that more than 7,000 were purchased in the last month alone.

Suncolor 12-Pack Large Christmas Gift Boxes

Chief TSA official Justin Thompson also recommends gift boxes, especially ones that fold up when not in use. if you to do Decide how to put gifts in them before traveling, just make sure they are still easy to open if the TSA needs to inspect them. This popular set includes 12 boxes with four different Christmas-inspired designs. They are made of high quality cardboard, and a buyer Glad to know that even when filled to the max they don’t burst or fall apart.

Don’t Wear: Cargo Pants

Wear Instead: Pants with minimal pockets and a belt bag

Gym People Women’s Joggers

Everyone loves pants with pockets, but TSA agents would prefer not to see too many of them in the screening line. Pockets are tempting to fill, and travelers often forget to fill them completely Evacuate them, which means turning off the alarm. And Holding the safety line. “If you’re going to choose your outfit that day and you have the choice between regular pants and cargo pants, choose the regular pants,” Denker said.

Shoppers love traveling in these top-rated, four-way stretch joggers with only two hand pockets. “They roll on well and don’t wrinkle as much,” reads one review titled “3 colors orderedChoose from over 30 colors. Oh, and because they have an elastic waistband, there’s no need to wear a belt, which makes screening even faster.

Pander Two-Way Zip Nylon Belt Bag

Where do you keep everything you usually keep in your pocket? This belt bag! It’s made of water-resistant, abrasion-resistant nylon and features built-in mesh organization as well as two zippered pockets (with double zippers). Passport, wallet, phone, boarding pass, etc. – this bag fits all the valuables you’ll need for easy access at the airport. Obviously, you’ll still have to remove it during screening, but removing one bag is much faster than emptying (and refilling) five pockets.

An Amazon Preferred Choice, this Pander bag was purchased over 10,000 times in the last month alone, and a cruisegoer Wrote that it “made airport security and the entire cruise easier.”

Don’t Pack: Power Tools for Dad

Pack Instead: Socks or Clothes

Stance Crew Icon Socks 3-Pack

“Around the holidays a lot of people like to buy a drill for their dad,” Thompson said. “But power tools are not allowed in your carry-on.” However, socks are very scanner-friendly and are never confiscated. With a 4.8-star average rating from over 4,200 ratings, these stylish Stance socks are sure to be a hit. They feature seamless toes and are designed for all-day comfort. These also have built-in arch support. “They’re comfortable, (they have) no bunching and perfect stretch, and are true to size. They’re the only socks I wear every day,” according to a five star reviewerWho also called them “the best socks on the planet”.

Coofandy Men’s Hoody Sweatshirt

Shout out Dankers says clothes are also a safe option if you don’t want to worry about your bag being searched. Personally, I’m gifting this hoodie to my boyfriend, who I’ll keep in my carry-on during our flight from Denver to Billings. It’s casual but also dressy, and it comes in dozens of colors with stylish details like ribbed cuffs and waffle texture. Plus, the price is definitely right; It’s on sale for $26.

Don’t pack: anything besides your laptop in your laptop case

Pack Instead: A neoprene case with no pockets or sleeves

Nauke Laptop Sleeve Case

When I asked Thompson if I needed to take my laptop out of its case for screening, she replied, “We don’t need to physically see it, but there can’t be anything above or below it.” Is.” Based on their experience, simple neoprene cases, like this popular model from Amazon, are the easiest to screen. Despite having a no-frills style, it has three layers of protection, including a layer of “shockproof” material to guarantee a safe journey for your valuable technology. “This is a great protector for my laptop,” said Summing Up a buyerWho said they travel thousands of miles with it every month.

Don’t Pack: A Top-Loading Backpack

Pack Instead: A Front-Loading (or Suitcase-Style) Backpack

Luvwook 40L Travel Backpack

Frontloading, or suitcase-style, backpacks are much easier to unpack – especially if the TSA is searching for a particular item – and repack than traditional top-loading backpacks. Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA agent who now shares travel tips through his newsletter gate entryTravel personally with this suitcase-style pack with four compartments, including a padded compartment for a laptop and three bonus packing cubes.

Don’t Pack: Vacation Cards for TSA Officers

Pack Instead: Holiday Cards for Flight Attendants

Papyrus Holiday Cards in Box with Envelopes

“As federal employees, we are not allowed to accept gifts,” Thompson said. If you want to show your appreciation to the TSA officer, the best thing you can do is fill out an appreciation form At TSA.gov. It takes two minutes. Or, some screening areas have a QR code you can scan where you can leave a compliment.

If you’re still feeling the Christmas spirit, pack mini holiday cards to give to your flight attendants or cabin crew can do accept gift. “I’ve gotten a lot of freebies from doing this,” said Harmon-Marshall, who likes this popular set of papyrus. It comes with 20 cards (3.75 inches by 4.75 inches), 20 envelopes, and Papyrus’s signature hummingbird gold seal.

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