Few places are as stressful as airports during the holiday season. Picture this: you’ve spent all morning debating whether you can include cranberry sauce in your carry-on bag, only to arrive and discover a security line snaking its way to the door.
Thankfully, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers valuable advice and essential information to make your holiday flying experience smoother. Below, you’ll find some recommendations to help ensure you arrive at your destination with ample time for turkey carving.
Familiarize Yourself with Food Transportation Rules
During the Thanksgiving season, questions often arise about flying with food: Can you bring your famous apple pie? What about traveling with a turkey? The good news is that solid food items like pies, meats, cakes, casseroles, and stuffing can be packed in your carry-on bag with no quantity restrictions. If you plan to bring food onboard, the TSA recommends placing it in a clear plastic bag. When you pass through the security checkpoint, remove the bag containing the food from your luggage and put it in a separate bin, as it might trigger a security alert.
However, it’s important to note that not all food items can be carried in your carry-on. Liquid, spreadable, or creamy items (such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or preserves) that exceed 3.4 ounces should be placed in your checked bag.
If you need to keep perishable items cool, ensure that any ice packs are fully frozen when you present them for screening. If they’re partially melted, they will be considered as liquids and may be confiscated.
Avoid These Common Mistakes When Going Through Airport Security
1. Skip the Gift Wrapping
If you’re traveling with gifts, whether in your carry-on or checked bag, resist the temptation to wrap them before packing. TSA advises against wrapping gifts because they may need to inspect them, which would require unwrapping. To be on the safe side, wait until you’ve reached your final destination to wrap presents or consider using gift bags instead of traditional wrapping paper.
2. Check Your Alcoholic Beverages
While it’s not uncommon for people to bring alcohol to a Thanksgiving gathering, there are limitations on the amount you can bring on a flight. Passengers can carry up to five liters of beverages with an alcohol content of more than 24 percent but not exceeding 70 percent in their checked bags. There are no quantity restrictions on alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 24 percent or less in checked bags.
If you want to bring mini bottles of alcohol in your carry-on (provided they fit into a single quart-sized bag), remember that FAA regulations prohibit passengers from consuming alcohol onboard the aircraft unless it is served by a flight attendant.
3. Pack Wisely
Traveling with a carving knife or other sharp objects? These items must be placed in your checked bag. TSA reminds travelers that bringing prohibited items to the security checkpoint will result in a bag check, causing delays. To avoid unnecessary holdups, empty your pockets in advance, ensuring that valuables like your wallet, phone, and keys are securely stored in your carry-on bag.
4. Arrive Early
TSA recommends that travelers arrive at the airport early, particularly in case of long baggage check-in and security lines. If you’re looking to pass through the checkpoints quickly, consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck. Registered travelers are not required to remove their shoes, belts, lightweight jackets, or electronics, and the wait time is typically five minutes or less. However, convenience comes at a cost, as a five-year membership will set you back $78.
5. Ask TSA for Guidance
Still uncertain about what you can bring? Download the free MyTSA app from the App Store or Google Play. This app includes a “Can I Bring?” database that allows you to search for specific items and determine whether they should be placed in your checked or carry-on bag. The TSA’s Twitter account also answers frequently asked questions and shares useful holiday travel tips.
