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Travel Advice - Packing with security checks in mind
Checked luggage will be subject to inspections for
the foreseeable future. Follow our guidelines to eliminate some of
the inconvenience of luggage searches.
- The TSA suggests that you secure your baggage with
plastic cable or “zip” ties.
- The ties are of use if your luggage features
lockable zippers: instead of using a lock, secure them with a "zip
tie".
- These will be broken off if your bag is
inspected, so bring several sets, in case you need to replace broken ties.
- See our article on
TSA Approved Locks, for
information on lock types that can be opened without damage during the
TSA inspection process.
- We suggest that you pack your
toothbrush, toothpaste and other personals in a clear plastic bag so
inspectors can see what is inside but do not have a need to handle items
of personal hygiene, if your luggage is opened and checked.
- Requirements announced in August 2006 prohibited
boarding planes with any liquid items. All liquid items must now
be packed in checked luggage. If you must take liquid items, (e.g.
liquid prescription drugs) be sure to pack them in sealed plastic bags
to prevent damage should these liquids leak.
- Food and beverages should not be packed in checked luggage as
they may
set off scanner sensors used during the inspection process.
- In addition,
these products may leak or ooze during the inspection process, damaging
other contents of the luggage.
- Do not put film in checked luggage in the US as the scanners now being
used will seriously damage film (exposed on unexposed). With the
increased adoption of digital media for cameras, film exposure is no
longer a significant problem for most travelers.
- Finally, travelers are urged to pack shoes on top of your clothes to
speed the search of checked luggage tagged for inspection.
- In other words,
shoes are an inspection target and if they are in the bottom of the
luggage, all other clothes will be removed to examine them.
- Removing the clothes is not the problem: we
can guarantee that your clothes will not be repacked with the same
care they were packed.
Find up-to-date information on this topic and lists of what you can and
cannot pack in carry-on or checked luggage at
http://www.tsa.gov/.
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