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These tips will make TSA screening go much faster.
Packing, like anything, is supposed to get easier the more you do it. As a frequent flier, I can attest to that, having developed my pre-trip routine and packing strategy over the last decade of traveling twice per month.
Yet, the TSA security tends to vary from airport to airport, especially at international screenings. So, even in the past, when I thought I had my routine down to a T, there were instances when my carry-on still got flagged. I’ve lost my favorite snacks and hair products because of it, as well as precious time. All this to say: Even when you think you might know it all, TSA agents are the go-to authority for the most common packing mistakes they see and how to avoid them (hint: using travel-size toiletry bottles and packing cubes can help). From overpacking to not separating electronics to not packing your clunky shoes and belts, here are 10 carry-on mistakes, according to the TSA itself.
Best Packing Solutions
- Keep liquids under the limit: Dewsensi Travel Toiletry Bottles Set, $7
- A convenient carryall bag: Luocip Quilted Duffel Bag, $25 (originally $28)
- Pull out your tech in seconds: Bagsmart Tech Organizer, $13 (originally $15)
- Open your suitcase without the mess: Bagail Packing Cubes, $20
- Have prescriptions organized: Medicine RX Safe Medication Travel Bag, $25
Related: I’m a Seasoned Travel Writer, and These Are the 10 Tourist-only Packing Mistakes I Ditched Years Ago
Mistake: Packing liquids over 3.4 ounces
Solution: Travel-size reusable toiletry bottles
Dewsensi Travel Toiletry Bottles Set
Liquids over the 3.4-ounce limit are an error TSA agents see time and time again, according to one TSA spokesperson. Either passengers forget the rule for liquids, gels, and aerosols, or fail to pack them in a single, clear quart-sized bag. The fix, especially if you’re a frequent flier, is to keep a pre-packed quart-sized bag full of all your toiletries so you only need to refill it in between trips, rather than pack mini bottles every time. This 20-piece toiletry set comes with bottles featuring different nozzles, all TSA-approved.
Mistake: Heavy or clunky shoes
Solution: Lightweight slip-on sneakers
Skechers Summits Slip-on Sneakers
Even though TSA screening machines have come a long way with modern technology, oversized clothing or clunky shoes can trigger alarms. “Wearing jackets, belts, or shoes with metal slows down screening,” explains a TSA spokesperson. While wearing your thickest shoes might make sense to save room in your luggage, even if you have TSA pre-check, you can get flagged for boots and thick-sole sneakers, so it’s better to rely on lightweight, slip-on shoes like this pair from Skechers for your travel days and pack the heavier items. That way, if you do end up having to take off your shoes at airports without pre-check, you can easily slide them off and on.
Mistake: Forgetting to empty pockets before screening
Solution: Use a carry-on with plenty of storage
Luocip Quilted Duffel Bag
Traveling through an airport with your most valuable belongings can make you want to keep them close and in sight. But one TSA spokesperson explains that forgetting to remove items from your pockets before screening is one of the most common mistakes travelers make at security. It’s better to just pack these items in a carry-on or personal item like this quilted bag with plenty of pockets for easy access. Further, TSA advises that it’s important to keep them packed up, as if you forget to take keys or a wallet out of your pocket, you’ll be asked to place them in a separate screening bin before an additional X-ray. In many cases, this leads passengers to forget their pocket-sized items after grabbing their main bags.
Mistake: Stacking tech accessories on top of each other
Solution: A designated organizer pouch
Bagsmart Tech Organizer
Not every airport offers CT (Computed Tomography) X-ray machines, which permit passengers to keep their electronics in their carry-on, explains a TSA spokesperson. Even if the airport is equipped with a CT machine, piling electronics on top of each other can look suspicious and result in a bag getting flagged. It’s best to use this technology organizer to avoid this, to keep cords, phones, and adapters separate.
Mistake: Packing a laptop in a complicated case
Solution: A simple, easy-to-grab sleeve
Mosiso Laptop Case
On the topic of electronics, packing a laptop in a protective case or zipper pouch is a common mistake that travelers make, since if you are asked to take out your laptop, it cannot be screened in a case. Further, if you are pulled over for a random security check and they need to swab your laptop, you’ll waste time taking it out of the case. The TSA advises using a slip-on case like this under-$20 one or a protector with a Velcro or magnet closure to help speed things up, should you be at an airport without CT technology or in a foreign country where many airports still require you to remove your large electronics.
Mistake: Packing everything tightly into one messy compartment
Solution: Use packing cubes
Bagail Packing Cube Set
Overpacking may sound like an obvious error you’d want to avoid, yet it happens all too frequently—especially on return trips after purchasing souvenirs with a suitcase of dirty laundry. “Packing bags too tightly makes it hard for TSA officers to see contents clearly on X-ray,” advises a TSA spokesperson. Their tip: Use a set of packing cubes to keep items separated and compressed even on the way home. Neatly roll your dirty laundry in them just as you would your clean laundry, so everything can be read easily on an X-ray.
Mistake: Unlabeled medications
Solution: A case that fits prescription bottles
Medicine RX Safe Medication Travel Bag
Carrying medication without proper labeling or not declaring liquid medications that exceed the limit is an issue that one TSA spokesperson said he sees all the time. While pill containers may seem more convenient as space savers, he recommends leaving all medication in the original labeled containers and declaring any liquid medications to TSA officers. It’s easiest to keep all your medication together in a dedicated travel pouch like this medication safe with a TSA-compliant lock to pull out for inspection if need be, he explains.
Mistake: Scattering important travel documents
Solution: A spacious, zippered case with compartments
Topbag Passport Holder
One TSA spokesperson recommends using a zippered travel case to keep important documents in one place and ready for when they’re needed. “Once IDs are inspected, put them back in the holder for safekeeping. A little organization goes a long way to ensure safe and happy traveling,” she explains. This also helps solve the common problem of ensuring your pockets are empty during TSA screening.
Mistake: Packing food that looks suspicious
Solution: A clear snack tray organizer
Tchza Snackle Box Container
Many passengers forget that some of their favorite daily snacks likely won’t make it through security, like yogurt, jams, hummus, or other liquid-based snacks over 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Further, according to a TSA spokesperson, packing food that looks suspicious on X-ray, like powders or dense snacks, often gets your bag flagged. You can still pack these types of snacks, just make sure they are under the liquid limit and organized in snack bags or a container organizer like this one with a clear lid that you can easily pull out of your bag should a TSA agent ask for further inspection.
Mistake: Forgetting a leash when flying with a dog
Solution: A compact rope leash
Taglory Rope Dog Leash
Dogs are not allowed to be in their carriers for screening, so you need to make sure you have a leash to walk them through the individual X-ray machines, explains a TSA spokesman. Of course, some leashes are bulky, so it’s best to use this rope style or compact travel size, but they are essential in keeping your pet under control during screening.
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