Tag: TSA

TSA Issues New Alert For Travelers To Follow These 10 Steps

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The next few weeks are notorious for being one of the busiest times of the year when it comes to air travel – and experts at the Transport Security Administration (TSA) are predicting airports to be even busier this year than last.

While TSA Administrator David Pekoske says the TSA is prepared to handle the surge in passengers during the winter holiday season, there are plenty of things we as travelers can do to help everyone’s journey run more smoothly.

In a bid to speed up the airport security experience and reduce traveling stress, the TSA has released a list of 10 steps travelers should follow.

While some points may seem obvious to seasoned travelers, it’s always worth checking in to see what the latest advice is because things can change quickly.

Packing Preparation

Before you get anywhere near the airport, you need to pack.

The TSA recommends beginning your packing with an empty bag so you don’t end up accidentally bringing items you didn’t intend to.

It also pays to check the “What Can I Bring?” section of the TSA website to make sure your bag is all good.

Get To The Airport Earlier Than Usual

This may seem super obvious, but you’d be amazed how you can reduce traveling stress by arriving earlier than you normally would when the airport is busy.

The TSA’s official advice is to arrive 2 hours before your flight, but there’s no harm in getting there a bit before that if you can spare it.

Have Your ID Ready

No one wants to be that person fumbling around in their bag or pockets for their ID when they finally get to the front of the queue.

Make sure you have the correct ID for your journey and have it in your hand when you’re in the screening line, says the TSA.

Advice On Wrapped Gifts

Got that snow globe for your Great Aunty Irma? How about the latest footballer’s autobiography for Dad? Traveling with gifts is super common at this time of year.

Sometimes, those items may need to be inspected, so you can make life easier for yourself by transporting any gifts unwrapped or by having them in gift bags or boxes that can easily be opened to be checked if required.

Firearms Foresight

If you are traveling with a firearm, you must ensure it is unloaded and packed in the correct kind of lockable hard case.

You must also declare the firearm at the ticket counter.

New Screening Technology

How you are screened varies from airport to airport, with new technology being implemented all the time.

The latest technology is Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, which can view your bags in 3D.

The main benefit of CT is that you don’t need to remove liquids or laptops from bags – so be aware of which lane you’re in and what technology is being used.

Time To Consider TSA PreCheck

Imagine waiting for just five minutes or less at the airport checkpoint.

That dream can be a reality if you sign up for TSA PreCheck – a system that allows you a much faster checking experience at the airport and costs just $70 for a five-year duration.

The PreCheck is becoming more popular with travelers and has 15 million members and counting.

Call Ahead If You Need Support

If you have a disability or you’re traveling with someone who does, you can call the TSA Cares helpline to help cater for any additional needs.

The number is 855-787-2227, but make sure you call at least 72 hours before your journey.

If In Doubt, Ask TSA

If you are unsure about anything to do with your flight, the best thing to do is contact the TSA directly.

You can text a question to 275-872 or contact them via the handle @AskTSA on X (formerly Twitter) or on Facebook Messenger.

Follow TSO Guidance

It might seem like a lot of rules, but they all exist to help keep us safe while traveling.

Listen to Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and obey their requests.

And remember, that no matter how stressed you are, TSOs are human beings just trying to do their jobs – give ‘em a smile, it’s the holidays!

Read More:

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December 21, 2023
TSA Warns Travelers Of Security Delays At Hawaii Airports This Summer

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If you’re planning to travel to Hawaii this summer then you’ll be in good company. The number of travelers visiting Hawaii this year is expected to exceed 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Hawaii is a notoriously popular vacation destination and for good reason. Offering sun, sea, sand, and amazing sites, there’s no better place to relax and unwind.

But when a destination is popular, that inevitably means that you will encounter crowds during your trip. Particularly at the airport.

Anticipating high passenger volumes, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is offering some key advice to travelers departing from Hawaii’s airports this summer, to make your journey go as smoothly as possible.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Leave Plenty of Time For Security

When airports are busy, it takes more time for TSA to process travelers efficiently.

The TSA are advising that, during peak travel periods, there may be times when the number of passengers who need to be screened is greater than the capacity of the security screening checkpoint.

In these circumstances, you may be asked to wait upwards of 30 minutes before you are invited to pass through the security screening checkpoint.

To avoid missing your flight, therefore, you should arrive at the airport earlier than you might normally, leaving plenty of time to pass through security.

This will be easier if you plan ahead: Think about how you will get to the airport, know your flight information, and be ready for each step of the airport travel process.

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Think About When You Travel

The busiest times at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) checkpoints are between 10 am and 2 pm, and then again between 5 pm and 8 pm.

If you are keen to avoid the queues and the crowds then try to plan your flight so that you travel outside of these times.

As an added benefit, very early morning and late-night flights tend to be a little cheaper than their peak-time counterparts.

You might also wish to consider flying out of your chosen Hawaii airport on either a Tuesday or a Wednesday. This is because the busiest days to travel both locally and nationally are Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday.

Register For TSA PreCheck

If you don’t want to wait around in the regular security check line, you might consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck.

This is a program that speeds up the airport security checkpoint screening process by allowing travelers to keep on their shoes, belt, and light outerwear. They can also keep their laptop and travel-sized liquids in their carry-on bag.

More than 15 million Americans are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program and children up to the age of 17 can use the TSA PreCheck lane when they are traveling with a parent or guardian who is registered to the scheme.

Visit www.tsa.gov/precheck to start enrolment into the program.

If you are already registered and eligible to use TSA PreCheck then make sure that you know your Known Traveler Number (KNT) and that your airline profile is up-to-date with this information.

You can then pass through the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport security checkpoint. TSA agents aim to process travelers using this lane within 5 minutes.

Be Prepared

If you’ve passed through airport security before then you’ll already know the drill: remove your shoes and belt, take your electronics and liquids from your bag, and empty your pockets.

Don’t wait until you’re at the front of the queue to start this process: be prepared before you enter the queue so that you can get through as quickly as possible.

If you’re unsure about what you can and can’t take through security in your carry-on, advice from the TSA is that you download the MyTSA app and use the ‘What Can I Bring?’ feature to assist with your packing.

If you need real-time assistance then @AskTSA is available on Twitter for advice.

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June 5, 2023
6 Surprising Things TSA Says To Leave Out Of Your Carryon

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A recent tweet that has now gone viral has people confused over what they can actually take in a carry-on.

The tweet, which has gotten over 10.5 million views, describes a man’s experience with airport security confiscating a jar of peanut butter.

Jokes ensue in the comments as people try to figure out if peanut butter is a liquid, gel, or aerosol.

I tried to take peanut butter through airport security.

TSA: Sorry, no liquids, gels, or aerosols.

Me: I want you to tell me which of those things you think peanut butter is.

— Patrick Neve (@catholicpat) March 15, 2023

This has sparked rumors that peanut butter has been banned on flights, which is not entirely true.

It is, however, a “spreadable item,” which means it must abide by the same regulations as liquids, gels, and aerosols.

Many airlines have started serving alternative snacks instead of peanuts due to peanut allergies, but you may still bring both peanuts and peanut butter – as long as the latter is under 3.4 ounces.

Although it is permitted, you may still want to reconsider purely for the chance that it could cause a medical emergency that would delay your flight.

What Is A Liquid?

According to the Transportation Security Administration, “a liquid has no definite shape and takes a shape dictated by its container.”

Creams, pastes, gels, aerosols, and liquids that fit this description must all be in containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller.

These must then all fit in a quart-sized bag. These requirements are also known as the “3-1-1 rule.”

While most travelers are aware of this rule, it’s still surprising to find out some of the items that fall into the “liquid/gel” category.

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Here are some of the surprising items you will need to limit in your carryon:

1. Spreadable Foods

A majority of this list comes from food products that walk the line between a liquid and a solid, such as “spreadable” foods.

Peanut butter falls under this label, as does hummus, guacamole, jams and jellies, and other dips or spreads.

Creamy cheeses, such as brie, also fall under the 3-1-1 rule.

While it may not be difficult to keep these items to a minimum as airport or plane snacks, if you plan to bring home a jar of authentic maple syrup or some Texas barbecue sauce from your trip, you’ll want to pack those in your checked bag.

It’s also important to consider that if you are flying internationally, many fruits and vegetables are prohibited to prevent invasive plant pests. This is also true for flights from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland U.S.

2. Some Makeup Items

Travelers are usually conscious of their toiletries when it comes to the liquids rule.

There are travel-sized containers for your shampoo and conditioner, and you can buy travel-sized sunscreen, hairspray, and deodorant.

However, makeup may not come to mind. Concealer, foundation, lip gloss, and even mascara are all items that must follow the 3-1-1 rule.

Although most makeup items are typically far beneath 3.4 ounces, technically, they all still need to fit in the quart-sized bag.

So if you plan on bringing a lot of makeup, you may want to consider putting the majority of it in your checked bag.

Another thing to know – any large quantities of powder-like substances could raise red flags and may need to be screened separately.

3. Certain Toys

Any toy that resembles an actual weapon is not allowed for obvious reasons.

TSA also specifically lists slingshots and foam toy swords as prohibited items but states that water guns (without water) and nerf guns are okay.

Two other very specific mentions are light sabers and Harry Potter wands – these are both allowed onboard the plane.

Play-doh, which you might now consider a liquid/gel item, is actually not and is allowed onboard as well.

4. Snow Globes

This popular souvenir will have to risk a journey home in your checked bag unless it is small enough to abide by the 3-1-1 rule.

Even if it’s small enough, it also still needs to fit in the quart-sized bag with all of your toiletries.

TSA maintains that regardless of the rules, the discretion is up to the officer.

5. Musical Instruments

If you’re planning on bringing a guitar, violin, or other instruments that meets the size requirements, it’ll have to undergo additional inspection.

Brass instruments, however, must be checked. It’s best to check with the airline ahead of time to make sure you understand exactly what you must do to get your instrument to your destination.

6. Candles

Gel-type candles are prohibited in a carry-on, regardless of size. However, TSA does state that solid candles are okay.

Still, there have been reports of candles being confiscated at security. To be safe, it would be best to pack all candles in your checked bag.

Exceptions

There are always exceptions to every rule, and the 3-1-1 rule is no different.

Baby food, formula, puree pouches meant for toddlers, and breastmilk are all permitted in “reasonable quantities.”

They do not need to be less than 3.4 ounces or fit into a quart bag. Ice and gel packs for breast milk or for medical needs also get a pass.

These are all considered “medically necessary liquids,” right along with liquid medicine, insulin, and inhalers.

Although these are permitted, they do need to be declared to TSA officers for screening.

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March 30, 2023
TSA PreCheck Just Got Cheaper, Here’s A Recap Of The Benefits
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Speeding up security screening at the airport in the United States just got cheaper! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently announced that the enrollment fee for the program TSA PreCheck has been reduced.

According to the information presented by the agency, passengers interested in applying for the TSA PreCheck program will now pay $78 instead of $85 for the five-year membership. And those who want to renew their membership are required to pay $70 through the online process—the renewal fee stays the same.

The update arrives right before the busy holiday season. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said: “For individuals and families with plans to fly this holiday season, now is the time to enroll or renew in TSA PreCheck.”

At the worst airport for TSA security wait times—like Miami International Airport where the average wait time is almost 25 minutes—, travelers can save a lot of time and reach their destinations more comfortably. The data shared by the TSA indicates that during September this year 93% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than 5 minutes at airport security checkpoints.

This program can help travelers reduce stress and avoid missing flights while waiting in long TSA lines that are frequent despite the new technology implemented. If you are unsure about whether you should enroll for TSA Pre-check or not, here you’ll find more details of the program and a recap of its benefits and advantages:

TSA PreCheck Benefits

The TSA Pre-check program allows travelers to go through special security lines at more than 200 airports in the United States along with over 85 participating airlines. As Pekoske said: “TSA PreCheck offers significant benefits to those who meet its enrollment standards – less physical contact, fewer items on the conveyor belt, and faster screening.”

To enroll in the program for the first time, U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents can request an appointment at one of the enrollment centers nationwide —there are over 500— where they will be interviewed and will have to provide biometric and biographic information. Once the interview is over, travelers should receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within less than a week. With the KTN customers get identified and allowed to use the special fast lanes.

These are the main benefits:
- Go through special and faster TSA security lines in more than 200 airports. The average wait time is less than 5 minutes.
- You do not need to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, and you can keep electronics and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in your bag.
- The membership lasts 5 years, once the traveler is enrolled, they can easily renew online.
- Some airlines and credit cards offer discounts or even offer customers the service for free. For example, United Airlines allows customers in their frequent flier program to use United MileagePlus to cover the application fee.
- Children 12 and under can join parents or guardians in special TSA PreCheck lines.
Even for travelers who only travel a couple of times a year, it’s a great opportunity to ease the travel experience and avoid long wait times. And certain citizens could already have access to this benefit through their banks or frequent flyer membership programs.

TSA Pre-Check Alternatives

There are other programs that can also speed up the travel experience like Global Entry and Clear. But these can be a little more expensive.

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection that already includes the TSA PreCheck program and adds an extra perk: faster U.S. customs screening. It’s also a great alternative, especially for travelers who enjoy visiting distant lands—not ideal for those traveling only within the U.S. This service cost $100 for five years.

Clear, on the other side, has an annual membership that costs $189. This service does not include TSA PreCheck, is available in over 60 airports and it offers travelers an ultrafast airport security screening since it uses only eyes and fingertips to identify travelers. Clear also recently launched a free service to skip TSA lines using a reservation system at certain airports.

Is $78 Worth It For TSA- Pre Check?

The newly reduced $78 fee for a 5-year membership works out to be just $15.60 per year, which is a very affordable way to clear security faster. If you fly even 2 times per year, that’s only $6.30 per visit. Those who fly more than 6 times a year, the membership works out to just cents per visit, making it super valueable.

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November 7, 2022
Skip The TSA Line For Free At These Airports With Advanced Reservation
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Imagine getting to the airport and breezing right through security by skipping to the front of the line. With Reserve powered by Clear, you can do just that at participating airports. The service is completely free and does not require membership with Clear, meaning all travelers can take advantage of the program. Passengers simply reserve a timeslot for going through security, receive a QR code, and use it to check in before entering the Reserve Lane.

As passengers miss flights due to airport chaos in the U.S. and abroad, taking advantage of every opportunity to smooth the airport experience is in travelers’ best interest. For flying out of airports with Clear Reserve Lanes, taking advantage of the reserved security check time could be the difference between a pleasant walk to the terminal and missing a flight in the event of clogged security lines.

Currently, Clear Reserve Lanes are available at the following airports:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona (PHX)
- Calgary International Airport in Canada (YYC)
- Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey (EWR)
- Orlando International Airport in Florida (MCO)
- Los Angeles International Airport in California (LAX)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington (SEA)
To use the service, travelers can head to Clear’s website, click on the airport they are departing from, enter their flight details and party size, and pick a time to go through security. The service is free, and only one traveler’s information is needed to book a reservation for a party of up to 10 people. While travelers should make every effort to arrive at their selected time, there is an unspecified grace period before and after selected reservation times. Twenty minutes is set aside for each reservation to ensure travelers have ample time to make it through screening, and reservations can be made up to 72 hours ahead of scheduled departure times.

As travelers continue to deal with canceled flights and long security lines due to high travel demand and staff shortages, anything that helps make getting through the airport a smoother experience is welcome news. This year the TSA is adding new technology to their security checks to help speed up the processing time. The upgrades include new scanning technologies and mobile ID options, helping passengers get to their terminals faster. Five of seven airports listed above are equipped with the new technology, meaning travelers taking advantage of the reserve lanes at JFK, PHX, MCO, LAX, and SEA will be skipping to the front of the line and using the best technology available for a speedy experience.

The first Clear Reserve Lane debuted in October 2021 at Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Clear has been adding the service to other airports since. “The travel experience can be unpredictable – from the moment you step outside your door to the moment you arrive at your destination,” said Caryn Seidman-Becker, Clear’s CEO, in a press release. “We are excited to offer this new experience alongside Orlando International Airport and help give their travelers more predictability and more control over their time. With CLEAR’s solutions, travelers are enjoying faster and easier travel from home to gate.”

Travelers using the program should note that Reserve powered by Clear does not grant access to Clear Plus Lanes. Clear Plus Lanes are for travelers with Clear memberships, which offer faster front-of-the-line service at over 38 airports. A Clear Plus membership is not free like the Reserve Lanes and is offered at $189 per year. For travelers who want the fastest and easiest experience possible any time they travel, combining a Clear Plus membership with TSA PreCheck ensures a quick security experience. Clear Plus will get travelers to the front of the line quickly, and TSA PreCheck makes security easier by eliminating the need to remove belts, shoes, or the removal of laptops, and liquids from carry-on bags.

As travel demand continues to surge, airports and airlines are being forced to cut flights as they cannot keep up. Programs like Clear Reserve Lanes and the recent TSA technology improvements continue to alleviate travel woes for passengers and airport personnel, and their continued expansion is greatly welcomed.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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July 4, 2022
These 5 U.S. Airports have the Longest TSA Security Wait Times

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The next 3 months will undoubtedly be the busiest times for air travel this year. Fueled by 2 years of lock-downs, people have been deprived of vacations.

Now is the time for them to get out into the world and make up for all those missed flights and destinations.

With kids being out of school and a lot of parents able to take their vacation, this summer is looking like one for the books. Airlines are selling flights at pre-pandemic levels, and airports and airlines are having trouble with the unprecedented demand for air travel.

From understaffed airlines to hour long security lines at airports, the truth of the matter is that air travel this summer will be nothing short of chaotic over the next few months.

There are however ways to mitigate long wait times and one of the best ways to do that is by avoiding airports with the longest wait times because let’s face it; not every airport is the same.

Frequent domestic flyers know that no two airports are ever alike, and we all have that one airport that we dread flying into or out of.

Some airports aren’t just inconvenient or more expensive to fly out of, some actually require longer security wait times.

This means that if you want to make your travels easier this summer, you’ll be wise to avoid these 5 airports with the longest TSA wait times.

Bounce analyzed data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Customs and Border Protection. To determine the average wait time at each airport, the company totaled the wait times at security and passport control.

Be aware that the list does not include time spent collecting luggage or traveling through terminals, passengers should therefore anticipate even longer wait times.

The US airports with the longest wait times

5. O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, Illinois)

Total wait time: 39 minutes, 26 seconds

Average security wait time: 19 minutes, 18 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 20 minutes, 8 seconds

O’Hare International Airport is the world’s fourth-busiest airport, serving around 54 million passengers in 2021.

4. John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York, New York)

Total wait time: 45 minutes, 54 seconds

Average security wait time: 25 minutes

Average passport control wait time: 19 minutes, 54 seconds

John F. Kennedy International Airport is the busiest airport in New York, serving 30.7 million passengers in 2021.

3. San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco, California)

Total wait time: 45 minutes, 56 seconds

Average security wait time: 27 minutes, 48 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 18 minutes, 8 seconds

San Francisco International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving over 24 million passengers in 2021.

2. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Total wait time: 46 minutes, 41 seconds

Average security wait time: 18 minutes, 18 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 28 minutes, 23 seconds

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is one of three airports in the greater Miami area. More than 28 million passengers traveled through the airport in 2021.

1. Miami International Airport (Miami, Florida)

Total wait time: 46 minutes 57 seconds

Average security wait time: 24 minutes, 54 seconds

Average passport control wait time: 22 minutes, 3 seconds

Miami International Airport is Florida’s second-busiest airport. It served over 37 million passengers in 2021.

The airport has an online security checkpoint portal that states the expected wait time.

If you want to minimize travel troubles for this summer, be sure to avoid these 5 airports above, and if you can’t avoid them be sure to give yourself plenty of time between connecting flights and departures.

READ MORE:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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June 6, 2022