TSA

Traveler Information

Approximately 1.8 million passengers pass through our nation’s airports every day. TSA has prepared the TSA Traveler’s Guide to help ensure passengers have the answers they need to common security screening questions. For travelers on-the-go, TSA has the “My TSA” mobile application for iOS (iPhone) devices, Android smartphones and mobile web users.

What to Know Before You Go

Acceptable Identification at the Checkpoint

Adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight. We understand passengers occasionally arrive at the airport without an ID, due to lost items or inadvertently leaving them at home. Not having an ID, does not necessarily mean a passenger won’t be allowed to fly. If passengers are…

How to Get Through the Line Faster

Passengers are asked to keep in mind the following advice to help make their trip through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible. When possible, do not pack oversized electronics (laptops, full-size video game consoles, DVD players and video cameras that use cassettes) in checked baggage. However, please be advised that these items must be removed from carry-on bags and submitted separately for X-ray screening. Click here for “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag procedures. Small electronics, such as…

Liquid Rules: 3-1-1 for Carry-ons

Liquids, aerosols and gels, in limited quantities, are safe to bring aboard an aircraft. Each traveler is allowed one bag in order to limit the total volume of liquids, aerosols and gels. Consolidating products into one bag and X-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear all items.

Pat-Downs

If a passenger cannot or chooses not to be screened by imaging technology or a walk-through metal detector, the passenger will be screened using a thorough patdown procedure instead. A patdown procedure also is used to resolve any alarms of a metal detector or anomalies identified by imaging technology. If a patdown is required …

Permitted and Prohibited Items: Can I Bring My…?

For the safety and security of the traveling public, TSA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or airlines have prohibited certain items from being brought onto airplanes in carry-on and/or checked bags. To help you plan ahead and avoid the potential of additional screening, be sure to check out the prohibited items list below and pack accordingly.

Screening for Passengers 75 and Older

Passengers 75 and older receive modified screening procedures as part of TSA’s overarching risk-based security methodology. These procedures are similar to screening procedures for passengers 12 and under and improve screening by better focusing resources on passengers who may be more likely to pose a risk

Traveling with Food or Gifts

When it comes to bringing items through checkpoints, we’ve seen just about everything. Traveling with food or gifts is an even bigger challenge. 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. Not sure about what you can and can’t bring through the checkpoint? Here’s a list of liquid, aerosol and gel items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home if they are above the permitted 3.4 oz

Updates & News

Learn about the breaking news and blog postings from the TSA.