• Baggage Security
  - Unlocking Checked Bags
  - Missing Contents
  
  
• Passenger Security
  - Boarding Pass and Photo ID Requirements
  - Inspecting Carry-on luggage
  - Secondary Inspections
  - Access Requirements to the Screening Area
  - Food and Beverage Policy
  - Prohibited Items

• As of January 1, 2003, TSA began screening 100% of checked baggage at all commercial airports across the US.
  
  
• Travelers are advised to remove everything they want to take on the plane BEFORE handing over checked luggage for screening as they will NOT be able to access their bags after screening.
  
  
• At many airports, travelers still can check-in at the ticket counter or with the skycaps and then proceed to the baggage screening area.
  
  
• Some airports require that baggage be screened first. Travelers are then directed to the ticket counter and bags are brought from the screening area to the ticket counter to complete the check-in process.
  
  
• Unless instructed otherwise by signage or airport/airline personnel, travelers should go to the ticket counter to check-in with the airline.
  
  [ top ]
  

Unlocking Checked Bags

• The TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes.
  
  
• Travelers may want to purchase standard 4” to 5” cable ties to secure bags as they are easy to remove and can be used to close almost every bag with zippers. If a bag needs to be opened, the TSA screener will cut off the seal and replace it with another seal.
  
  
• Bags opened during the screening procedure will be closed with a tamper-evident seal and a notice placed inside that the bag was opened for inspection.
  
  [ top ]
  

Missing Contents

• TSA screeners exercise great care during the screening process to ensure that all contents are returned to bags that need to be opened.
  
  
• Call the TSA Consumer Response Center at 1-866-289-9673 for any loss or damage claims, which will be assessed on an individual basis.
  
  [ top ]
  
  

Boarding Pass and Photo ID Requirements

• The TSA is in the process of consolidating traveler screening and random searches to the passenger security checkpoints where TSA staff and screening equipment are concentrated.
  
  
• To access these checkpoints, travelers will be required to present a BOARDING PASS and PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.
  
  
• Tickets and ticket confirmations (such as a travel agent or airline itineraries) alone will no longer be accepted to go through these checkpoints.
  
  
• There are four ways to obtain a boarding pass:
  1. Go to the airline's ticket counter at the airport
  2. Use curbside check-in
  3. Use the airline's self-service ticket kiosk in the airport lobby (if available).
  4. Print the boarding pass from the airline's website (not all airlines provide this option)
  
  
• Go to www.tsa.dot.gov/public/ for the list of airports where travelers need to present a boarding pass and photo ID to enter the passenger security checkpoint. Check back regularly as the list is updated frequently.
  
  [ top ]
  

Inspecting Carry-on luggage
Carry-on items must pass through an X-ray machine and travelers are required to pass through a metal detector. The following tips can expedite the process.

• Laptop computers must be removed from their carrying case and placed in one of the bins provided.
  
  
• Film should be placed in carry-on luggage as the equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage undeveloped film. Travelers can ask for a hand inspection of all film and camera equipment at the passenger checkpoint.
  
  
• Gifts should be transported unwrapped as wrapped gifts in both checked and carry-on luggage may be opened for inspection.
  
  
• Outer coats including trench coats, ski jackets, leather jackets, overcoats and parkas must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. Either place the clothing in a carry-on or remove it and place it in the bins provided for inspection.
  
  
• Travelers do not need to remove suit jackets, sport coats or blazers unless directed by a screener.
  
  
• Pack all metal items in carry-on baggage to avoid setting off the metal detector alarm. Examples of items containing metal include mobile phones, pagers, PDAs, keys, lighters and loose change, as well as metal hair barrettes, belt buckles, jewelry, and certain clothing.
  
  [ top ]

Secondary Inspections
Travelers who set off the metal detector alarm will receive an additional hand-wand and pat-down inspection.

• During the wanding process, the screener will pass the wand over the traveler’s body without actually touching them with the wand.
  
  
• Let the screener know of any personal needs due to a religious or cultural consideration, disability, or medical concern. It is recommended that individuals with a device likely to set off the alarm, such as a pacemaker, bring identification verifying the condition.
  
  
• Passengers with body piercings, thick hair, hats, and other items may require a pat-down inspection. Travelers may ask to remove body piercings in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
  
  
• Travelers may be asked to open their belt buckle or remove their shoes which will be X-rayed separately.
  
  
• Travelers may request that the pat down search be conducted in private and with a screener of the same gender.
  
  
• If carry-on luggage is selected for secondary screening, it may be opened and examined on a table in the traveler’s presence. Do NOT attempt to assist the screener during the search or try to retrieve the item before the inspection is completed.
  
  
• Some passengers may be selected for additional screening at the departure gate, which usually involves a hand ward and pat-down inspection.
  

Travelers who refuse inspection at any point during the screening process will be denied entry beyond the screening area and will not be allowed to board their flight.

[ top ]

Access Requirements to the Screening Area
For security, entry to the screening area is limited to:

• Passengers with a boarding pass, ticket and ticket confirmation.
  
  
• Persons with a gate pass or other authorization issued by the airline for parental, official, medical or business reasons (for example, to attend a meeting in an airport club lounge or to retrieve a child passenger).
  
  
• Airline and airport employees with a valid ID.
  
  [ top ]

• Food must be wrapped or in a sealed container.
  
  
• Unpeeled natural foods like fruit are acceptable, but half-eaten fruits must be wrapped.
  
  
• Travelers can carry beverages in a paper or polystyrene container (such as Styrofoam) through the metal detector.
  
  
• All other containers—including aluminum, glass and plastic— with liquids must go through the X-ray machine in sealed or spill-proof containers. Examples of permitted containers include screw-top bottles or cups, baby bottles with nipples, and plastic containers with snap-on lids.
  

Note: Travelers should consume or dispose of any food or beverage that does not meet these requirements before entering the checkpoint area.

[ top ]

Prohibited Items
The TSA website (http://129.33.119.130/public/theme_home1.jsp) has a detailed list of items that are permitted and prohibited from air travel. Note that some items are allowed in checked luggage but not in carry-ons. Prohibited items include:

• Personal Items: metal scissors (corkscrews, nail files, tweezers and safety razors are permitted)
  
  
• Sharp Objects: box cutters, ice picks, knives of any length or type
  
  
• Sports Equipment: baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, ski poles, pool cues. (baseballs, soccer balls, and basketballs are permitted)
  
  
• Guns and Ammunition: all
  
  
• Tools: axes, hammers, saws, screwdrivers, pliers, crowbars, etc.
  
  
• Self defense: mace, pepper spray, night sticks, billy clubs, stun guns
  
  
• Explosive Materials: all including fireworks
  
  
• Flammable Items: gasoline, lighter fluid, paint thinner, strike-anywhere matches, aerosol (except personal care toiletries)
  
  
• Chemicals: chlorine, liquid bleach, tear gas, spray paint, compressed gas cylinders, fire extinguishers
  
  
• Any other equipment determined by the screener to be dangerous
  
  
• Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.
  
  [ top ]