Well as travel begins to rebound you may be ready to jump on a plane
and take that much needed vacation
or maybe visit some family members you haven't seen in a while
An when it comes time for packing
you may be asking yourself
Are there any new TSA rules I need to be aware of
or maybe you just need a refresher on what the rules actually are
Well in this video, I am going to be answering the most frequently
asked TSA rules that will help you in your packing strategy
Hey, if we are just meeting for the first time my name is Ben
and I am the owner of Ben Thoennes Dream Vacations Travel Agency
and on this channel I create travel resource and information videos
just like this one to help you plan for your next vacation
so if you are new here consider subscribing
Well, lets go ahead and jump into question number one
So yes, liquids and gels are allowed in your checked bags
the only restrictions are if you are going to be
carrying liquids and gels in your carry-on
Yes, you can bring liquids and gels in your carry-on
but there are restrictions
the restriction is that for every liquid and gel that you want to carry
they need to be put in individual containers
of 3.4 ounces or less
and placed inside one clear, quart-sized, zip lock bag
And you are only allowed one bag per passenger
If you need to carry more than the 3.4 ounces
those items need to go in your checked baggage
As long as you declare them at the security check point
then they are exempt from the liquid and gel rule
You can carry more than the 3.4 ounces
and they do not need to be in a plastic bag
However, the TSA does recommend that they be in their original container
to help expedite screening
but it is not necessary
Yes, refillable travel size containers are acceptable
Well that will depend on what kind of powder you are trying to take
through security
But for the most part things like coffee, spices
baby powder. Those things are ok to take through security
But if it is more than 12 ounces, it could be subject to additional screening
I myself like to wear slip on shoes just because its easy to get on and off
and it helps to speed up the security line
But you are welcome to wear any type of shoes that you want to wear
through security
Yes, you can take makeup on the plane
but they are subject to the same liquid and gel rule
so things like liquid mascara
lip balms like Blistex
those items would have to go into that quart-sized
clear plastic bag
along with your other liquids and gels
Lipsticks and other solids can stay in your purse or carry-on
and just to go along with that
stick deodorant, that also can stay in your carry-on
But if you have a gel or spray deodorant
those items would subject to the liquid and gel rule as well
Yes, you can take food through security but they are subject
to that same liquid and gel rule just like everything else
and this one can be a little bit tricky
if you think about foods like cheesecake
mashed potatoes
some chunky soup
those items probably would not pass through security
But I do know that solid baked goods like pies and cakes are ok
As well as solid snack foods like chips, pretzels, carrots
but I would hold off trying to take a peanut butter and jelly through security
that would probably get confiscated from you.
Single serving packages of condiments are ok as well
as well as if you want to take those frozen gel packs
to refrigerate your food or even medication
those are ok but they do have to be in that solid state
in order to get through security
Yes, once you make it through security anything you buy
in that secured area you can take on the plane with you
I've never had any issues with it
but I do know that in some airports overseas
it may require some additional screening
or they may ask you to throw it out all together
If your child is 12 and under they do not need to take off their shoes
coats or hats before they go through security
If the metal detector goes off when going through it
the TSA may ask them to go through it again
or they may just swab your child's hand in lieu of a pat down
If your child is 13 and over they are subject to the same
screening process as adults
Yes there are some special rules if you are a senior over 75
If you are over 75 you don't have to take off your shoes or coats
when going through airport security
Although you may be asked to take them off
if a screener finds any anomalies
So, if you are going to be packing loose lithium batteries
those would have to be packed in your carry-on bag
as putting them in your checked bag would not be allowed
If they are installed in a device like a camera
those can go in either your checked bag or your carry-on bag
There is a limit to how many lithium batteries you can carry
and if you need more information on that
you can go to faa.gov and search for the lithium battery chart
These items are allowed but there are restrictions
if you are carrying a straight edge razor
the blades have to be packed in your checked bag
And for scissors
as long as the blade aren't more than 4 inches long
they can be put in your carry-on
otherwise if they are more than 4 inches
they will have to go in your checked bag
Yes, however circular thread cutters and other needle point tools
with blades on them would need to be packed in your checked bags
Most other countries follow similar
security requirements as here in the U.S.
Most countries since they are on the metric system
require 100 milliliters
of liquids and gels in a 1 liter plastic bag
Which is pretty much the same as the 3.4 ounce
in the quart size bag here in the U.S.
Yes, duty free liquids are allowed and they can be over the 3.4 ounce rule
as long as they were purchased at a duty free store
and they are placed in a special tamper evident bag
They can also be placed in your checked bag
but be sure to keep your receipt
because you will need to prove that they were purchased in the last 48 hours
So, actually yes you can carry up to 5 and a half pounds
of dry ice in either your carry-on or your checked bag
But it has to be in a package that allows for the venting of carbon dioxide gas
Now whichever airline you are going to be flying
that airline has to approve you carrying dry ice onboard their aircraft
So if you want to take dry ice
on your carry-on through security
make sure it is still in its solid state
otherwise the TSA is going to confiscate it
So if you are worried about that you might as well
just place it in your checked bag
So the best way to handle this is as you are approaching the TSA agent
tell them your medical issue and they will determine the best way to screen you
and any equipment that you are carrying
The TSA does not require a doctor's note describing your condition
but it could help in expediting the screening process
So this really depends on the airport you are departing out of
Is it a busy time of season? Is it a holiday?
is it a major hub?
Are you checking luggage?
All these things factor in to how much time to give yourself
when going through airport security
If you are at a major hub and its a busy time of season
and you are checking luggage
Then I would give yourself 2 hours
If you are not going to be checking luggage
and you have an e-ticket already
you can bypass the ticket counter and go straight through security
then and hour and a half probably is enough time for you
For small to medium size airports an hour to an hour and a half
should be enough time
and keep in mind that boarding process usually starts a half hour before
the departure time
So if you are one of those people who like to get there before boarding starts
then keep that in mind as well and give yourself some more time
For international flights I like to give myself 3 hours
just because you do have to stop at the ticket counter
and most likely check a bag
and show your passport and any other documentation
to satisfy the entry requirements for whatever country you are going to
So if you are a first time flier or maybe its been a while
since you last went through airport security
the process is once the TSA agent checks your ID
then you will have to go through a screening process
where you will have to take off your shoes, your belt
remove any jewelry, cell phones, keys
or any other metal items and place them in a bin for screening
And then you will have to go through either a metal detector
or a full body scan machine
Now you can opt out of the scan machine
but then you would be subject to a full
thorough pat down by a TSA agent of your gender
If you are bringing your laptop and other electronic devices
those would need removed from their cases
and placed in a separate bin for screening as well
You can request to go through the full body scanner again
but it's up to the TSA agent to decide whether or not to
allow you to go through it again
If they deny your request then you will be subject to a pat down
If you are going to be bringing gifts, first of all
do not wrap them
as the TSA may unwrap them anyway to inspect them
And honestly the best way is just to ship them ahead of time
or you can place them in gift bags that is easy for the TSA to examine
Most electronic devices are allowed in either your checked or carry-on luggage
If you are going to pack them in your carry-on
make sure you pack them at the very top of your luggage
because the TSA is most likely going to ask you to remove those items
or ask you to open your bag to inspect those devices
Yes, you can lock your suitcase, but you will need a TSA approve lock
so that the TSA can open your bag if they need to
otherwise, they will just cut off your lock
Absolutely, there is a faster way through airport security
It's called TSA pre-check
And you may have heard about it or seen signs for it at the airport
I myself have TSA pre-check, and its a great time saver
I can usually get through airport security in about 5 to 10 minutes
and the good thing about it is
I don't have to take off my shoes or my coat
All my electronic devices can stay in its bag
It does require you to get a background check and fingerprinting
So, if you are interested in getting it
I have a video that will give you more information
and how to apply for the TSA pre-check program
You can just click the link here above
or you can find the link in the video description below
So those were the 25 most frequently asked questions
about TSA rules going through airport security
Make sure to like the video if you had one of your questions answered
in this video
and consider subscribing to get more travel related videos just like this one
And should you want a travel professional like myself
to help you plan your next vacation
You can contact me at bthoennes@dreamvacations.com
Thank you so much for watching and I hope to see you again in a future video