Every holiday travel season, TSA prepares its workforce of 50,000 Transportation Security Officers to ensure we provide a smooth holiday travel experience for travelers. Since this is during the busiest travel time of the year, TSA wants to remind passengers of the security procedures in place and help travelers be prepared for security, before they leave home.
Expedited Screening Pilot: This pilot program prescreens individuals - traveling on Delta Air Lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airports and on American Airlines at Miami International and Dallas/Fort Worth International airports - who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying in order to potentially expedite the screening experience. TSA plans to expand this program to McCarran International, Minneapolis St. Paul International and Los Angeles International airports in the coming months.New Screening Procedures for Passengers 12 and Under: TSA has implemented new procedures that reduce, though not eliminate, pat-downs of passengers 12 and under that would otherwise have been conducted to resolve alarms while also ensuring effective security measures. Passengers 12 and under are also able to leave their shoes on through security checkpoints.New Privacy Protection Software on All Millimeter Wave Machines: TSA has upgraded all millimeter wave Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) units at airports nationwide with new software to further enhance privacy protections by eliminating the image of an actual passenger and replacing it with a generic outline of a person. This technology increases efficiency of the screening process, is safe for all travelers, and passengers are now able to view the same outline that the TSA officer sees.Known Crewmember: TSA has designed a new program to expedite screening for airline pilots through positive identification verification, which is currently being tested at Seattle-Tacoma International, Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Chicago O’Hare International, Miami International and Washington Dulles International airports. Expanded Behavior Detection Pilot: At Boston Logan International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airports, Behavior Detection Officers have casual conversations with travelers to determine if the traveler should be referred for additional screening at the checkpoint. 
TSA has deployed hundreds of advanced imaging technology units to airports across the country to keep the traveling public safe. To learn more about their safety, privacy, and how the technologies work, Click Here.
Liquid explosives still pose a threat and for that reason TSA limits the amount of liquids passengers can safely carry through the security checkpoint. This limitation applies only to carry-on bags. Larger quantities of liquids, gels, and aerosols can be safely packed in checked baggage.
Here are the rules:
Larger quantities of breast milk/baby formula and medically necessary liquids are permitted but must be presented to an officer for further inspection. For more information on traveling with medically necessary liquids, click here.
Families or individuals traveling with medically necessary liquids this holiday season can use TSA's Family Lanes to have a more pleasant travel experience. There are Family Lanes at every security checkpoint allowing families and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace. Individuals carrying medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols in excess of three ounces will also be directed to these popular lanes. Individuals traveling with liquids, gels and aerosols within 3-1-1 limits will not experience any change to their screening procedures. These lanes are marked by signage at each security checkpoint. Visit Screening Pilot for Passengers 12 and Under.
Everyone has favorite foods from home that they want to bring to holiday dinners, or items from their destination that they want to bring back home. Travelers should know that while pies are permitted through the security checkpoint, here is a list of liquids, gels and aerosol items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home.
Cranberry sauce Creamy dips and spreads(cheeses, peanut butter, etc.) Gift baskets with food items
(salsa, jams and salad dressings) Gravy Jams Jellies Maple syrup Oils and vinegars Salad dressing Salsa Sauces Soups Wine, liquor and beer
Items that are purchased after the security checkpoint have been pre-screened and can be taken on the plane.
While wrapped gifts are not prohibited, if a bag alarms our security officers may have to unwrap a gift to take a closer look inside. We recommend passengers wrap gifts after their flight or ship them ahead of time, to avoid the possibility of having to open them during the screening process. This applies to both carry-ons at the security checkpoint and to checked baggage.
TSA does not permit snow globes through the security checkpoint because they contain an undetermined amount of liquid. Snow globes are permitted in checked baggage.
To provide passengers with 24/7 access to the most commonly requested TSA information on their mobile device, TSA has developed the MyTSA mobile application. No matter where you are, you’ll have easy access to information you need to get through security and onto the plane safely and smoothly. To learn more, Click Here.
(pdf, 318Kb) Quart sized zip top bag (Hint: 1 bag per passenger is permitted) 3 ounces or less sized containers of liquids, gels and aerosols (3-1-1) Visit TSA.gov to review the prohibited items list for both carry-on and checked baggage If purchasing a luggage lock, be sure to look for those that are recognized by TSA (Locks) It can be helpful to tape a card with your name and contact information on any large electronics (like laptops) Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.) (Pack For Security) Pack large electronics on top layer of carry-on for easy accessibility Place your 3-1-1 bag with liquids, gels and aerosols in front pocket of your carry-on for easy accessibility Give yourself enough time to arrive at airport early Wear easily removable shoes Make sure to have accepted government issued identification and boarding pass if printed at home (Acceptable Identification) Look for Family/Medical Liquids Lanes if special assistance is needed for families (Family Lanes) Be sure to place all items from pockets and any bulky metal jewelry in carry-on bag or purse Have ID and boarding pass out for inspection Remove 3-1-1 bag and place in bin Remove shoes and place directly on belt for quick screening (Shoes) Remove coats and jackets and place in bin (Outerwear) Remove computers and large electronics from carry on and place in bin alone (video game consoles, remote control toys, etc.) (Large Electronics) Ensure no items remain in your pockets before proceeding to the walk-through metal detector or imaging technology (keys, cell phones, comb, eyeglasses, etc.) (Imaging Technology) Remember to check bins and collect all belongings following screening
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