Traveling during the holiday season can be a challenge (especially if you don’t have a Real ID), but the Transportation Security Administration is letting people know how to make it a bit easier.
TSA’s Sparkle Warning
The TSA posted a public service announcement on Dec. 18, warning travelers that “TSA PSA: The body scanners don’t love sparkles. We don’t want to dull your holiday shine but we don’t recommend wearing your sparkly holiday sweater to the airport,” the agency wrote in a Facebook post.
What You Can Bring
Belt, clothes and shoes are acceptable to carry on or place in checked baggage. The TSA says, “To help TSA officers get a clear look at your bag and reduce the need for additional screening, we suggest you pack your bag in neat layers,” the TSA states on its website.
Allowed Items
- Bobby pins
- Body armor – “Generally, body armor is allowed in carry-on or checked bags,” the TSA says. “Please note however that even if an item is generally allowed, our officers make the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
- Boxing gloves
- Hand warmers
- Handcuffs
- Headphones
- Heated jackets/sweaters – The TSA advises travelers to follow the Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations on batteries.
- Helmets
- Jewelry – “If you are traveling with valuable items such as jewelry, please keep those items with you at all times (do not put them in checked baggage),” the TSA says. “You can ask the TSA officer to screen you and your valuables in private to maintain your security.
- Life vest – “You may bring a life vest with up to two CO2 cartridges inside, plus two spare cartridges in your carry-on or checked bag,” the TSA says. “You may not transport CO2 cartridges without the associated lifejacket.
- Night vision goggles
- Shock collars
- Shoe inserts
- Skates (including ice skates and rollerblades)
- Sports cleats
- Steel toe boots
- Wallet chains
- Brass knuckles – The TSA says brass knuckles are not accepted for carry-on, but they are OK to check in. “Although these items can be placed in your checked baggage, they are still illegal in some states,” the agency writes. “Should the bag need to be opened for some reason and there is an illegal item in the bag, TSA will be required to report it to local law enforcement.
- Wedding dress – “You can bring a wedding dress through the security checkpoint for screening, but we strongly recommend that it is packed safely in a garment-style bag or other packaging to protect it during the screening process,” the TSA says. “We also recommend that you contact your airline to determine their policy for bringing and stowing the dress on the airplane, as well as how it fits into their carry-on bag limitations. If the dress cannot fit through the X-ray machine, the agency says, “alternate screening procedures will be taken to clear the dress and your garment bag will need to be opened.”
Special Items: From Jewelry to Life Vests
The TSA’s guidance covers a wide range of items. It reminds travelers that while many everyday items are permitted, certain items such as body armor, boxing gloves, and even jewelry have specific rules. Jewelry must stay with you, and life vests require CO2 cartridges to be included.
Legal Considerations
Brass knuckles, while allowed in checked baggage, remain illegal in some states. TSA will report any illegal item found in a bag that must be opened.
Holiday Travel Volume
AAA projects more than 122 million Americans will travel for the holidays.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid sparkly holiday sweaters at TSA checkpoints.
- Pack your bag in neat layers to speed screening.
- Certain items, such as jewelry and life vests, have special handling rules.
Traveling during the holidays just got a little clearer, thanks to the TSA’s detailed list of what you can and cannot bring through security.
