I’m a TSA Employee—These 10 Mistakes Will Make You 'That' Person in the Security Line, and How to Avoid Them

If you’ve ever been stopped at an airport for forgetting to take your laptop out or having a half-full bottle of Sprite in your carry-on bag, you’re not alone. The stress of getting to your airport gate on time, coupled with the excitement of getting to your destination, can cause even the most seasoned of travelers to fumble at security checkpoints.  

“People seem to forget some of the more common and routine steps that they need to take when packing for a flight, or when they are going through a checkpoint,” John F. Kennedy International Airport officer Christopher Kirchein previously said in a press release published by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While these mistakes aren’t rare, they can be a real pain for you, the TSA employees at your checkpoint, and the growing line of anxious passengers forming behind you.  

Curious to know what the most common mistakes TSA employees see at security checkpoints might be, I tapped Lisa Farbstein and Daniel Velez, two TSA spokespeople for the administration’s North East and New England regions, respectively. Both Velez and Farbstein gave me the 411 on what traveler mistakes can back up the security line. Keep scrolling to find out what those 10 mistakes are, plus ways on how to avoid them, like using TSA-approved luggage locks and using a carry-on bag with plenty of pockets, starting at $8 on Amazon.

Mistake: Putting your keys, wallet, or boarding pass into a bin

Solution: Keep things organized in your carry-on

Etronik 3-In-1 Travel Duffel Bag

Most TSA checkpoints require you to empty your pockets before walking through their body scanners. Rushed passengers tend to dump out their keys, wallets, and travel documents into an empty bin, but both Farbstein and Velez warn against this. 

“Unfortunately,” Farbstein began, “it is common for individuals to leave their ID and/or boarding pass in the bin when they head to their gates.” These small items can also fall between the conveyor belt’s rollers, she added, making it difficult, if not impossible, to retrieve them. To prevent your valuables from being left behind, Velez suggested: “Anytime you have a loose item—keys, wallets, rings, your watch—put them in your carry-on bag.”

Opting for a carry-on bag with plenty of separate compartments and pockets can help you quickly stow your items away in the security line. This top-rated Etronik duffel bag is flush with internal and external compartments, including a zippered front compartment large enough to hold your wallet, keys, and phone. Plus, it can be worn as a backpack, and comes with dedicated areas for your laptop and shoes.

Mistake: Leaving your bag unattended at the airport

Solution: Track your bags and make them easy to identify

Apple AirTags 4-pack

Lily Pulitzer Leatherette Luggage Tag

The hustle and bustle of security checkpoints might leave you in a daze, but TSA employees emphasize the importance of always keeping an eye on your belongings as they go into and exit their scanners. “Never leave a suitcase, roller bag, laptop bag, shopping bag, backpack, or any other item unattended,” Farbstein urged. “And if you come across an unattended item, please alert an airport official.”

One way you can keep tabs on your personal item, carry-on, and checked baggage on every leg of your trip is by stowing GPS luggage trackers into your belongings. Too, vibrant luggage tags can help identify which bags are yours at TSA. 

As a frequent traveler myself, I use Apple AirTags on every flight. I like to keep one in my wallet, with the help of an Apple AirTag card holder, and stash one in my carry-on suitcase, one in my underseat personal item bag, and finally, attach one to my keys using an AirTag keychain holder. As for luggage tags, I love this leather option from Lily Pulitzer; each of the 10 design options is so unique and colorful and bound to make your carry-on stand out in a sea of grey and black luggage items.

Mistake: Removing your jewelry

Solution: Keep them on you, or pack them up neatly beforehand

Bagsmart Travel Jewelry Organizer

Another mistake TSA employees see frequently? Taking too much time to remove all of your jewelry. It’s a common misconception that you must remove your jewelry before you can step into a TSA body scanner, but actually, employees would prefer that you keep it on, so as not to cause a backed-up security line—or worse, forget it after you’ve retrieved your carry-on. “Never remove your rings,” Farbstein said. “Too many people leave their rings behind in a bin.”

Most small jewelry items are a non-issue for body scanners, but larger, bulkier pieces may need to go into a bin. If you’re unsure whether your jewelry would make the cut, consider keeping all of your jewelry stowed away and organized in your carry-on. This Bagsmart travel jewelry organizer, $14, has separate, dedicated pockets and compartments for your rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, and folds up into a compact pouch for easy packing. 

Mistake: Packing unapproved weapons and sharp items

Solution: Opt for TSA-approved tools

Geekey Multi-tool

Philadelphia International Airport TSA officer Aisha Hicks previously told the TSA that travelers often forget that knives and other small weapons are not allowed through TSA checkpoints. “It’s shocking to see so many people with knives,” she said. “Weapons of any kind are prohibited through a TSA checkpoint.”

While you can pack firearms, swords, and even portable power saws into your checked luggage, the same rules don’t apply to carry-on bags. On top of pocket knives, other sharp items that could be used as weapons, like corkscrews, Swiss Army knives, and box cutters, are not allowed through TSA.

Instead of packing a pocket knife, opt for a TSA-compliant tool, like this Geekey Multitool, which includes a bottle opener, a closed wrench, a can opener, and a serrated edge for cutting small items. 

If you’re unsure of whether or not your item counts as a potential weapon, Velez recommends using the MyTSA App on your mobile device. There, you can search the TSA’s A to Z list of banned and permitted items, plus check your airport for delays, and request live assistance from TSA.

Mistake: Bringing drinks through TSA

Solution: Bring an empty, packable water bottle

TakeToday Collapsible Silicone Water Bottle

“Oddly enough, the most popular prohibited item is actually water,” Velez remarked, adding that travelers often forget that they have drinks in their carry-ons and personal item bags. When this happens, passengers are asked to dump their drinks out in a dedicated dumping facility or throw the whole thing away into a trash can. “It’s not the end of the world, but when we have multiple people that do that, it can slow down the line.”

One easy way to prevent this, according to Velez, is to start with a totally empty bag before you start packing—that way, you know exactly what’s going into your bag: “You never know what you had in there from a previous trip, and you could have had something in there that isn’t allowed into the cabin of an aircraft.”

If you’re trying to avoid paying extra for airport water bottles, I recommend bringing along a foldable, refillable water bottle and filling it up at a water fountain instead. This $24 TakeToday water bottle is leakproof, lightweight, and rolls up, taking up less space in your carry-on. 

Mistake: Packing toiletries that exceed the 3-1-1 rule

Solution: Use travel-sized, refillable containers

Morfone Refillable Toiletry Bottle Set

Another common mistake TSA employees see at security checkpoints is toiletries that exceed the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule regarding liquids. Toiletries and cosmetic products that exceed 3.4 ounces are subject to removal, meaning you may be asked to toss out your luxe night cream or pricey hair serum if the container is too large. “If you’re going to put [toiletries] in your carry-on bag,” Velez explained, “make sure it’s travel-sized.” 

Can’t find a travel-sized version of your favorite shampoo or body wash? Pick up a refillable toiletry set: This $8 Morphine bottle set includes four TSA-sized silicone bottles, product labels, and a clear zippered carrying case for easy packing. 

Mistake: Wearing hard-to-remove shoes 

Solution: Wear comfy slip-ons

Skechers Women’s Go Walk Joy Sneaker

While there’s no specific rule regarding what kind of shoes you can wear to the airport, some styles—like laced sneakers or hiking boots—can be a pain to take off and put back on, extending your time at security. And while some airports no longer require you to remove them, others still abide by the shoes rule, and will not let you through until you take them off. 

“If you want to make it easier for yourself, easy slip-on shoes are good,” Velez suggested. These lightweight Skechers Go Walk Joy slip-on sneakers have a stretchy, breathable mesh upper and are completely laceless, allowing you to take them on and off in a flash. 

Mistake: Using the wrong kind of locks on your carry-on

Solution: Only use TSA-approved locks

Sure Lock TSA Compatible Luggage Locks

Nobody wants their backpack or carry-on suitcase to be stolen or rifled through by thieves. But if you’re looking for a way to keep your belongings protected, according to the TSA website, you should only use TSA-approved locks on your luggage. 

These locks, unlike other locks and padlocks, can be opened with “master keys” that TSA employees have access to. This prevents TSA employees from having to cut or saw your lock off, should your bag be selected for in-depth screening, and this process could delay you from getting to your gate more quickly. 

This two-pack of Sure Lock luggage locks will keep your valuables safe and secure while still being TSA-friendly. Over 12,000 Amazon shoppers have given these locks a perfect five-star rating, with one reviewer noting that they’re “easy to operate” and have a pop-up indicator that shows you if a TSA official opened your lock to look through your checked luggage. 

Mistake: Leaving your laptop in your carry-on

Solution: Pack it in a protective laptop sleeve 

Mosiso Padded Laptop Sleeve and Electronics Case

According to Velez, it all depends on the airport you’re traveling in. He explains that some TSA checkpoints at larger airports are currently being equipped with new Computed Tomography X-ray scanners; at these checkpoints, you soon will be able to leave everything in your bag, including laptops. But with older scanners, you will have to remove them and place them in a separate bin. “We have more than 430 federalized airports across the country,” Velex explained, “and not all of them are equipped with the same technology.”

In the event your airport does require you to take out your laptop, keeping it in a separate padded laptop sleeve will help prevent damage and make it easier to remove from your carry-on. This Mosis padded laptop sleeve, $22, comes with a separate zippered carrying case that can hold your charging cables and accessories, like USB flash drives or external hard drives. 

Mistake: Wearing jackets and coats that you’ll have to remove

Solution: Wear a cozy, comfy outfit

Anrabess Two-piece Sweatsuit

Just like footwear, TSA doesn’t have specific rules regarding what you can or cannot wear to the airport. “Clothing really isn’t a big deal,” Velez said—with a caveat. “If you don’t have TSA Pre-check, and you’re going through with a light jacket, you’ll have to remove that.”

If you want to get through TSA as quickly as possible, but are usually cold on flights, try keeping your jacket packed in your carry-on and wearing an outfit that’s warm and comfortable on its own. This two-piece, long-sleeved matching set from Anrabess is made with a cozy fabric that’s “lightweight but warm,” making it “absolutely perfect for travel.”

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