TSA Airline Travel Rules
No matter how much you love to travel, no one loves waiting in line to clear airport security. The fastest way through is to know Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules before you go.
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Liquid Allowances
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The TSA limits the amount of liquid you can bring through security. Liquids must be in bottles of 3.4 ounces or less and the bottles must be in a 1 quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag. Each passenger is allowed 1 plastic bag. (This is called the 3-1-1 rule.)
Liquid medications like insulin, over-the-counter medical items like eye drops, baby formula/breast milk and baby food, are not limited to the 3-ounce rule and should not be put in your 3-1-1 plastic bag. You must declare these items at the security checkpoint and allow them to be screened.
Prohibitied Carry-on Items
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Sharp objects like knives or box cutters are not allowed in carry-on bags. Scissors with blades less than 4 inches and knitting needles are allowed.
Loose lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage. The TSA recommends that you keep batteries in your carry-on luggage.
Identification
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Everyone 18 and over is required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID. Permissible IDs include a U.S. passport, U.S. Military ID, Drivers Licenses or a photo identity card issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles. A complete list of acceptable IDs can be found on the TSA website (see Resources).
Going Through Screening
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Take your 3-1-1 plastic bag out of your luggage, put it in a bin and run it through the X-ray machine. Take all electronics out of your carry-on luggage and place them in a bin for X-ray screening. This includes laptops, video game consoles, DVD players, video cameras and CPAP machines. Laptops in TSA-approved "checkpoint friendly" laptop bags may remain in the bag. Take off jackets, jewelry or belts that could set off the metal detector, hats and shoes and place them in a screening bin.
Tips
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To go through the screening process faster do not wrap gifts you're taking on the plane, they need to be unwrapped to be screened. TSA regulations state that "small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases," but often screeners request that they are. Place these items in a bin with your other electronics.
If you are using a TSA-approved "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag, make sure there is nothing in the laptop compartment but the laptop.
If you lock your checked luggage, use a TSA approved lock. These can be opened by security officers with a master key. If using a non-approved lock, the lock may be cut off during the screening process.
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