Travel Tips for You and Your Family


Simplify your overall security experience

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Carry-Ons

Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1 for Carry-Ons:

Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.

Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience. Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.

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Prohibited Items

Sharp Objects

Item Carry-On Checked
Box Cutters No Yes
Ice Axes/Ice Picks No Yes
Knives - except for plastic or round bladed butter knives No Yes
Meat Cleavers No Yes
Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors. No Yes
Sabers No Yes
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches Yes Yes
Swords No Yes

NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors

Sporting Goods

Item Carry-On Checked
Baseball Bats No Yes
Bows and Arrows No Yes
Cricket Bats No Yes
Golf Clubs No Yes
Hockey Sticks No Yes
Lacrosse Sticks No Yes
Pool Cues No Yes
Ski Poles No Yes
Spear Guns No Yes

Guns & Firearms

Item Carry-On Checked
Ammunition - Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be declared to the airline at check-in. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. No Yes
BB guns No Yes
Compressed Air Guns (to include paintball markers) - Carried in checked luggage without compressed air cylinder attached. No Yes
Firearms - firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. No Yes
Flare Guns - May be carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. No Yes
Flares No No
Gun Lighters No Yes
Gun Powder including black powder and percussion caps No No
Parts of Guns and Firearms No Yes
Pellet Guns No Yes
Realistic Replicas of Firearms No Yes
Starter Pistols No Yes

NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply.

Tools

Item Carry-On Checked
Axes and Hatchets No Yes
Cattle Prods No Yes
Crowbars No Yes
Hammers No Yes
Drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills) No Yes
Saws (including cordless portable power saws) No Yes
Tools (greater than seven inches in length) No Yes
Tools (seven inches or less in length) No Yes
Screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length) No Yes
Wrenches and Pliers (seven inches or less in length) No Yes

NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers.

Martial Arts & Self Defense Items

Item Carry-On Checked
Billy Clubs No Yes
Black Jacks No Yes
Brass Knuckles No Yes
Kubatons No Yes
Mace/Pepper Spray - One 118 ml or 4 Fl. oz. container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. No Yes
Martial Arts Weapons No Yes
Night Sticks No Yes
Nunchakus No Yes
Stun Guns/Shocking Devices No Yes
Throwing Stars No Yes

NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and Security Officers.

Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items

Explosive Materials Carry-On Checked
Blasting Caps No No
Dynamite No No
Fireworks No No
Flares (in any form) No No
Hand Grenades No No
Plastic Explosives No No
Realistic Replicas of Explosives No No

Flammable Items Carry-On Checked
Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities) No No
Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel) No No
Gasoline No No
Gas Torches No No
Lighter Fluid No No
Common Lighters - Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Yes No
Torch Lighters No No
Strike-anywhere Matches - One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage. No No
Flammable Paints No No
Turpentine and Paint Thinner No No
Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries No No

Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items Carry-On Checked
Chlorine for Pools and Spas No No
Small compressed gas cartridges - Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares. The spares must accompany the life vests and presented as one unit. Yes Yes
Fire extinguishers and other compressed gas cylinders No No
Liquid Bleach No No
Spillable Batteries - except those in wheelchairs No No
Spray Paint No No
Torch Lighters No No
Tear Gas No No

Other Items

Item Carry-On Checked
Gel-type candles No Yes
Gel shoe inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened. No Yes
Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint (3.oz or smaller containers) Yes Yes
Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint No No
Snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation. No Yes
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ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints

In order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight, adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following:

Acceptable IDs include:

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Traveling With Special Items

Alcoholic Beverages

With the exception of medications, any amount of liquid including alcohol greater than three ounces must be packed in your checked baggage.

Please note you can’t take alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol content (140 proof), including 95% grain alcohol and 150 proof rum, in your checked luggage. You may take up to five liters of alcohol with alcohol content between 24% and 70% per person as checked luggage if it’s packaged in a sealable bottle or flask.

Liquids, including alcohol purchased after clearing the security checkpoint are permitted aboard aircraft.

Batteries & Devices

Loose lithium batteries are no longer allowed in checked baggage. Keep batteries and equipment with you, or in carry-on baggage - not in your checked baggage.

Buy batteries from reputable sources and only use batteries approved for your device – avoid counterfeits. Do not carry recalled or damaged batteries on aircraft.

Only charge batteries which you are sure are rechargeable. Only use a charger compatible with your rechargeable battery – don’t mix and match.

Do not permit a loose battery to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys, or jewelry. Place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag, or package, or place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals.

Take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing, or putting a high degree of pressure on the battery, as this can cause an internal short-circuit, resulting in overheating. If you must carry a battery-powered device in any baggage, package it to prevent inadvertent activation.

Camping

Outdoor enthusiasts should prepare and pack carefully so that they don't have to surrender items at the security checkpoint or have them removed from their checked baggage. Below is information specific to camping and outdoor activities:

Currency, Coins, Precious Metals, or Valuable Jewelry

If you are carrying valuable items such as large amounts of currency, coins or jewelry, it’s recommend you ask Security Officers to screen you and your carry-on luggage in private. This will maintain your security and avoid public scrutiny.

We suggest that you ask to speak with a TSA screening supervisor before you are screened. Tell the supervisor discretely that you would be screened in a private location. TSA operating procedures require a witness to be present during private screening. The witness may be another TSA Security Officer or someone that is traveling with you.

We recommend that you carry these items with you at all times.

For international flights, you must report the transport of $10,000.00 USD or more to the U.S. Customs Service.

Food & Beverages

All food must go through the X-ray machine. Do NOT bring food to the security checkpoint unwrapped; food must be wrapped or in a container. Unpeeled natural foods like fruit are okay, but half-eaten fruits must be wrapped.

Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-sized beverages (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag. After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.

There is no restriction on the amount of baby formula, breast milk, or medicines you can bring, but they must be declared and presented for inspection at the checkpoint.

Knitting Needles & Needlepoint

Knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage. However, there is a possibility that the needles can be perceived as a possible weapon by Security Officers. Security Officers have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security.

The following is recommended when bringing knitting needles on an airplane:

Medications

You may bring all prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes.

Additional items you may bring include:

You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage. BUT if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection.

Non-liquid or gel medications of all kinds, such as solid pills or inhalers, are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. It’s recommended, but not required, that medications be labeled to assist with the screening process.

Medication and related supplies are normally X-rayed. However, as a customer service, you may ask that Security Officers visually inspect your medication and associated supplies. You must ask for visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise your medications and supplies will be X-rayed.

Musical Instruments

You may bring musical instruments as carry-on or as checked baggage. Check with your airline prior to your flight to ensure your instrument meets the size requirements for their aircraft.

You may carry on one musical instrument in addition to one carry-on bag and one personal item through the screening checkpoint. This is a TSA Screening Policy. Airlines may or may not allow the additional carry-on item on their aircraft. Please check with your airline before you arrive at the airport.

Security officers must x-ray or physically screen your instrument before it can be transported on an aircraft. Owners should be present when an instrument is removed from its case for screening. For this reason, musicians are advised to add at least 30 minutes to the airline's recommended arrival window when checking their instrument. If security officers cannot clear the instrument through the security checkpoint as a carry-on item, you should transport the instrument and checked baggage instead.

If you have an instrument in your checked baggage, include short written instructions, where a security officer will notice them, for handling and repacking your instrument. Make sure these instructions are very clear and understandable to someone with no musical background.

It’s encouraged you to stay with your instrument while security officers screen it to make sure it is repacked properly.

Pets

Security procedures do not prohibit you from bringing a pet on your flight. You should contact your airline or travel agent before arriving at the airport to determine the airline's policy on traveling with pets.

You will need to present the animal to the Security Officers at the screening checkpoint. You may walk your animal through the metal detector with you. If this is not possible, your animal will have to undergo a secondary screening, including a visual and physical inspection by our Security Officers.

Your animal will NEVER be placed through an X-ray machine. However, you may be asked to remove your animal from its carrier so that the carrier can be placed on the X-Ray machine.

Film and Photographic Equipment

You may carry on one bag of photographic equipment in addition to one carry-on and one personal item through the screening checkpoint. Air carriers may or may not allow the additional carry-on item on their aircraft. Please check with your air carrier prior to arriving at the airport.

Screening equipment will not affect digital cameras, electronic image storage cards or undeveloped film. Pack your undeveloped film in your carry-on bag. High speed and specialty film should be hand inspected at the security checkpoint. To facilitate hand-inspection, remove your undeveloped film from the canister and pack in a clear plastic bag.

Scuba Equipment

You may bring some scuba gear on-board an aircraft. You may bring regulators, buoyancy compensators and masks, snorkels and fins as carry-on or checked baggage.

Service Animals

If you have a service animal, you are encouraged to inform the Security Officer that the animal accompanying you is a service animal and not a pet. This will provide you with an opportunity to move to the front of the screening line since the Security Officer may need to spend more time with you.

It is recommended that persons using an animal for assistance carry appropriate identification. Identification may include: cards or documentation, presence of a harness or markings on the harness, or other credible assurance of the passenger using the animal for their disability.

At no time during the screening process will you be required to be separated from your service animal.

You must assist with the inspection process by controlling the service animal while the Security Officer conducts the inspection. You are required to maintain control of the animal in a manner that ensures the animal cannot harm the Security Officer.

Sports Equipment

Certain sporting equipment cannot be brought on-board an aircraft. These items are prohibited from your carry-on baggage, but they may be transported to your destination in your checked baggage.

These items include:

Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.

You may bring items such as baseballs, soccer balls and basketballs through the passenger security checkpoint. They will need to be screened through the X-ray machine.

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Baggage Locks

TSA screens every passenger's baggage before it is placed on an airplane. While technology allows them to electronically screen bags, there are times when they 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.

Compatible locks can also be purchased via these Web sites:

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Traveling With Kids

The Screening Process

The Walk-Through Metal Detector

Travel Tips

Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. All items will be inspected.

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.

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.

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.

You should only carry on the liquids and gels needed for you and your infant/toddler’s immediate comfort. You should pack larger volumes needed for your trip in your checked bag.

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