Can You Bring Alcohol & Mini-Liquor Bottles on Planes: A Sobering TSA Guide [2022]

Sometimes a little bit of alcohol goes a long way when it comes to relaxing on a plane.

Yes, most airlines sell alcohol to passengers but what about the much cheaper and convenient route of bringing your own hooch through TSA?

Is it actually legal to take your own alcohol on board or are you asking for trouble with the FAA.

I was curious about this myself and so I took a deep dive into the FAA/TSA rules and even spoke with some TSA agents to see exactly what was allowed and what wasn’t.

In this article, I will talk about the rules for bringing alcohol and mini-liquor bottles through the airport and drinking them on the plane.

Can you bring alcohol on a plane?

Yes, you can bring alcohol on a plane but there are very specific restrictions that differ based on whether you are bringing your alcohol on in your carry-on or in your checked baggage.

If bringing alcohol in your carry-on, you need to abide by the TSA liquids rule and the FAA regulations on alcoholic content and consuming alcohol on the plane.

And if you’re bringing alcohol in your checked baggage, you need to be mindful about the FAA regulations on alcoholic content and limits to the total quantity allowed, especially when coming back from an international trip.

Below, I’ll break down these buzz-kill restrictions into clear terms so that you don’t miss out.

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Bringing alcohol on a plane as a carry-on

If you want to take your booze with you in your carry-on, you’ll have to contend with the TSA liquids rule and a couple of very important FAA regulations.

Alcohol and the TSA Liquids 3-1-1 Rule

Alcohol fall in the liquids category and so when you are bringing it on as a carry-on you always have to abide by this rule.

The TSA Liquids 3-1-1 Rule states that you can only bring liquids in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and that all of your liquid containers must fit “comfortably” into one clear, quart-size bag.

(When going through the checkpoint, you’ll have to remove your quart-size bag from your luggage unless you have TSA Pre-Check.)

So if you plan on bringing alcohol in your carry-on bag, this rule means you’ll be limited to only small amounts.

Alcohol and FAA regulations

If you like guzzling down some seriously strong alcohol I’ve got some bad news for you.

The FAA forbids you to bring beverages with an alcoholic content of more than 70% (more than 140 proof) in your carry-on or checked baggage.

Why is that? It’s just a little bit too flammable for comfort.

The next regulation you need to be aware of pertains to partaking in your adult beverages on the plane.

FAA regulation §135.121 on alcoholic beverages states that:

No person may drink any alcoholic beverage aboard an aircraft unless a certificate holder operating the aircraft has served that beverage.

Notice that the regulation only states that you may not drink alcohol unless a “certificate holder operating the aircraft” (aka a flight attendant) has served it to you.

This means that in theory you could request a flight attendant to serve you your own alcohol and be compliant with the FAA regulation.

But don’t get too excited.

First, to pull this off you need some serious master of persuasion skills. This is especially true in the post-pandemic world.

More crucial, if you look at the policy stated by virtually every major US airline you will see that they don’t seem very open to this idea (or they are just outright against it).

AirlineLinkNotes
Alaska AirlinesPolicy“may not be consumed… unless it has been provided by a flight attendant”
American AirlinesPolicy“Opened containers aren’t allowed”
Delta Air LinesPolicy“must be in its original unopened retail packaging”
FronterPolicy“Personal Alcoholic Beverages may not be consumed onboard the aircraft”
HawaiianPolicy“may not be consumed… unless served by a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant.”
JetBluePolicy“You are not allowed to consume your own alcohol while on board”
United AirlinesPolicy“You can’t drink the alcohol you bring on our aircraft”
“One does not simply drink their own alcohol on a plane”

So generally speaking, drinking your own alcohol on a plane is going to be difficult to do (the legal way).

But what would you be risking if you chose to violate the law?

The FAA could slap a fine on you. In fact, they have been busy dropping huge fines on unruly passengers for alcohol related incidents.

In reality, if you were asked to put away your alcohol and you immediately complied I doubt you would suffer any consequences.

It’s only when things escalate that the fines seem to come into play.

Alcohol on Alaska airlines flight

Mini liquor bottles

Although the odds might be stacked against you when it comes to consuming your alcohol on the plane, you should at least know that bringing mini liquor bottles on the plane is permitted.

Subject to a couple of restrictions, of course.

First, going back to the liquids rule.

Mini liquor bottles are about 1.7 ounces, so this means that they are small enough to be brought on the plane as a liquid.

If you would like to bring more alcohol, you can consider pouring your liquor bottles into larger carry-on size containers that are 3.4 ounces.

The tricky thing to remember is that the percent of alcohol can dictate what you can bring in your 3.4 ounce containers.

TSA has no rules against transporting alcohol in bottles that you did not purchase the alcohol in but if they contain more than 24% alcohol but not more than 70% alcohol they need to be in unopened retail packaging.

So that means that many types of vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, tequilas, and other alcohols cannot be legally transferred from an open bottle of liquor into one of your personal liquid bottles and then carried onto a plane because the alcohol would not be in unopened retail packaging.

For your reference, here are some ranges for the alcoholic content of some common beverages:

Alcohol Percentage Content

  • Vodka | ABV: 40-95%
  • Gin | ABV: 36-50%
  • Rum | ABV: 36-50%
  • Whiskey | ABV: 36-50%
  • Tequila | ABV: 50-51%
  • Liqueurs | ABV: 15%
  • Fortified Wine | ABV: 16-24%
  • Unfortified Wine | ABV: 14-16%
  • Beer | ABV: 4-8%
  • Malt Beverage | ABV: 15%

Related: TSA Marijuana Rules Explained

How many mini-liquor bottles can you fit in a quart sized Ziploc bag?

The amount of bottles that you can fit inside of a quart size bag will depend on the shape and size of the mini-liquor bottles.

However you can generally expect to fit between five and seven mini-liquor bottles inside a quart size bag. 

Just remember that the bottles must fit “comfortably” within the bag.

Comfortably means that the bag will seal without busting at the seams.

If you cannot completely seal up that bag then the TSA agent will likely state that you have not met the “comfortable” requirement and you will have to throw away some of your alcohol.

Making cocktails on planes

You might be surprised that there are some food items great for cocktails that you can bring on planes. For example, you can bring fresh fruits (lime, lemon, etc.) with you through airport security.

Most airlines will serve many drinks that are perfect for mixing up cocktails such as, orange juice, Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, tomato juice, and other fruit juices. These are usually served either on a complementary basis or for a small fee.

If you want some inspiration for cocktail ideas you find those here.

You can also buy cocktail kits online.

The key here is to be mindful about those FAA regulations.

What about duty-free liquor bottles?

If you have purchased liquor bottles from a duty-free store then you should be able to bring those on the plane even if they are larger than the standard 3.4 ounces allowed.

If you are coming in from an international flight and you are connecting to another flight within the US, you should still be able to bring your duty-free liquor bottles with you through TSA and onto your connecting flight.

However, there are special requirements for doing so.

You may carry duty free liquids in secure, tamper–evident bags, more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your carry-on bag if:  

  • The duty free liquids were purchased internationally and you are traveling to the United States with a connecting flight.
  • The liquids are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and do not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
  • The original receipt for the liquids is present and the purchase was made within 48 hours.

Read more about this rule here.

duty-free liquor shelf

Alcohol and checked bags: know your limits

If you want to bring your booze in your checked baggage, there are additional (but similar) restrictions that apply in that case.

Let’s start with the lightest type of alcohol.

Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags. 

This would be mostly things like beer, champagne, wine, and some limited liquors.

Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging.

And, as stated above, beverages with more than 70% alcohol are not allowed on the plane at all.

The rules above don’t mean you should bring in unlimited amounts of alcohol, though (especially if flying into the US).

The CBP states that:

There is no federal limit on the amount of alcohol a traveler may import into the U.S. for personal use, however, large quantities might raise the suspicion that the importation is for commercial purposes, and a CBP officer could require the importer to obtain an Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) import license (which is required for all commercial importations) before releasing it. 

So if you go pushing things to the limit you could find yourself subjected to license requirements. And I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that those licenses aren’t free.

So what would be a safe limit when bringing alcohol back into the country?

CBP does provide us with some guidance and they state:

A general rule of thumb is that 1 case of alcohol is a personal use quantity – although travelers are still subject to state restrictions which may allow less.

So if you are bringing in alcohol in your checked baggage, my advice would be to stick to one case of alcohol. If you try to push the limits, you could be subject to additional fees or worse, so it is just not worth it in my opinion.

Alcohol on planes FAQ

Is it illegal to bring alcohol on the plane?

Contrary to what you might believe, it is not illegal to bring your own personal alcohol on a plane.

Can you drink your own alcohol on a plane?

The FAA requires all alcohol consumed on a plane to be served by a flight attendant. Most airlines have policies that don’t allow you to drink your own alcohol on the plane so the odds of you getting a flight attendant to serve you your own alcohol are probably very low.

Can you bring syrups for cocktails?

Many cocktail recipes call for special syrups. If you are wondering about bringing syrups on the plane, you should know that TSA will consider them to be liquids and they will be subject to the 3-1-1 rule. You can read more about different foods and liquids permitted to bring on a plane here.

Can you take mini-liquor bottles through airports?

Yes, you can take mini-liquor bottles through airports and onto planes. However, you need to be aware of the special regulations that govern liquids through security and those for serving alcohol on planes so that you are not violating any laws.

How old do you need to be to drink alcohol on a plane?

You must be age 21 to consume alcoholic beverages on a US plane.

Final word

You can bring a handful of your mini-liquor bottles through airport security and even drink them on the plane.

However, you need to be aware of the FAA regulations and decide the best way for you to go about complying with those. Some airline crews may be more relaxed than others or be more strict so you will have to get a sense of how the flight crew is going to be.

Can You Bring Books on a Plane? TSA’s Rules Explained

Lots of travelers like to bring books with them when they fly.

The question is: will you run into any problems with TSA if you bring books with you in your carry-on or checked bag?

In this article, we will take a look at some of the policies that were tested out (and luckily abandoned) and what the current TSA policy for bringing books on a plane looks like today.

Can you bring books on a plane?

Yes, you can bring books through TSA in your carry-on or in your checked bags.

When traveling with stacks of books or other literature, it might be better to bring books in your carry-on so that you can avoid having your literature damaged or bag delayed when it goes through checked baggage security inspections.

However, be prepared to potentially deal with enhanced screening when bringing books in your carry-on bag as we will explain below!

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What does TSA say about traveling with books?

TSA began a pilot program in 2017 that required passengers to remove books and other paper products along with other items like food and place them in individual security bins for screening.

This caused a lot of uproar among those travelers who carry around lots of books, such as academics, students, and others. In addition to just being a burden to getting through security, this program introduced privacy concerns.

For example, people were worried that if they had a book in a particular language, such as Arabic, they could be deemed more likely to be a terroristic threat.

And then there were concerns that if people had books representing a particular type of political view, they would could be subjected to unjustified targeting.

Perhaps due in part to these concerns (and for other reasons), the program didn’t last long and it was eventually abandoned with no plan to “restore the pilot or to expand it.”

This means that you should not always be required to remove books from your carry-on baggage.

However, you could still be forced to deal with additional screening when bringing books in your carry-on.

TSA states:

“Books often require additional screening. The TSA officer may ask you to remove them from your carrying case to conduct a physical inspection.”

This physical inspection could mean having to take your books out your bag and allowing a TSA agent to flip through them.

Sometimes it could also involve getting swabbed depending on the circumstances.

That means agents will be looking for traces of explosives on your books. This swab testing usually only takes a few minutes (unless they detect something on your books).

Because of the risk pf physical inspection, having easy access to your books will generally be helpful, so keep that in mind when packing your bag.

Also, carrying around huge stacks of books (or ultra large books) may increase the odds of you getting additional screening so keep that in mind.

Carry on or checked bags?

For some people, it might be better to put books in your carry-on baggage. This is particularly true if you have delicate literature. For example, you could have a lot of precious comics or old books that could easily be damages.

In the past, there was confusion about whether or not TSA was requiring books, such as comic books to go into your checked bag or carry-on bag. This was based on a prior TSA blog post. As documented by the NYT, this post stated:

 “Pack items such as stacks of brochures and assorted comic books in your carry-on bag… Packing these items in checked bags often causes alarms leading to bag searches which can cause a significant slowdown in the screening process leading to delays and bags possibly missing their flights.”

This led airlines like United to erroneously claim that comic books had to transported in carry on bags but they later clarified, “While T.S.A. is recommending that customers keep their comic books in their carry-on bags, there are no restrictions on packing them in checked luggage. We misunderstood T.S.A.’s instructions and regret any inconvenience this may have caused our customers.”

So while you are NOT required to place books, comic books, or stacks of pamphlets in your carry-on, it might be best to avoid placing them in checked baggage.

Not only can it slow down the screening process but agents rummaging through your bag could cause damage to your more “delicate” literature.

Why does TSA care about books?

TSA cares about books for potentially a few reasons.

They want to make sure that people are not hiding dangerous objects inside of books.

One thing that TSA is looking out for with books is hidden compartments. Books with hidden compartments aren’t banned by TSA but it could be a problem if TSA finds a prohibited items inside them. For example, if you were trying to transport a firearm hidden inside a book you could be subjected to higher fines.

Some say that a book could resemble an explosive such as C4 when viewed through a scanner machine. (This is similar to why fudge is sometimes flagged.)

In other situations, it could just be that the books block the view of the agents trying to monitor the scanners. Essentially, books just make it harder for the agents to view all of the contents in your luggage.

As TSA introduces more advanced screening machines you would hope that books won’t present the security issues that they have in the past.

Does TSA care about what you’re reading?

Some travelers might worry that TSA agents are concerned about the content of their books.

For example, they might determine that you’re reading something too “edgy” or “controversial” and therefore require you to go through more screening.

Perhaps you were doing research on “extremist” groups or Mexican cartels for school and that makes you look suspicious.

I personally haven’t seen any evidence of this.

In the past, TSA was instructed to “fan through” the pages of your book and so they were not necessarily instructed to pay attention to the content, although just a book title could be a give-a-way to the book’s content or message.

It’s not unfathomable that an agent could take a book title into consideration when making judgment calls about the “danger level” of your other items or your need for more screening.

I think that this could also potentially be a concern if you were caught with something that led to a secondary investigation.

For example, if you got caught traveling with lots of unexplained cash and you had a book potentially related to criminal activity that could be associated with that cash. In that case, that could be used as evidence against you.

Final word

It’s very possible to bring your favorite books with you when you travel. In some cases, you might have to deal with enhanced screening so you should be ready for that. Typically, that screening should not take very long, so it’s usually not a very big deal.

TSA Liquid Rules Ultimate Guide (3-1-1 Explained) [2023]

Bringing your liquids through airport security is not always as straightforward as you might think.

There are several rules that apply when bringing your liquids through airport security checkpoints and, yes, many are obvious to those of us blessed with a shred of common sense.

But in some cases there are some less obvious restrictions that could apply to your liquids.

And when you start talking about things like baby essentials, medications, and liquids like alcohol, there are many lesser-known rules and exceptions that come into play.

Violating these rules can sometimes mean slowing down the flow of the screening checkpoint (something we all should want to avoid) but in other cases it could mean violating the law and you basically becoming an airport criminal.

And nobody wants that.

So it’s a good idea to get acquainted with how these rules work and in this article, I’ll give you a detailed breakdown of the 3-1-1 rule and also talk about the many different types of exceptions and additional rules that apply to different types of liquids such as medications and alcohol.

What is the TSA Liquids “3-1-1 Rule?”

The TSA Liquids 3-1-1 Rule states that you can only bring liquids in containers no larger than 3.4 liquid ounces (100 milliliters) and that all of your liquid containers must fit “comfortably” into one clear, quart-size bag.

Where does the 3-1-1 come from?

It’s just an easy way to memorize the different requirements that make up the rule and I’ll hit on those below.

3.4 fluid ounces or (100 mL)

The “three” indicates that your liquids must be contained within a container no larger than 3.4 fluid ounces or (100 ml).

(TSA uses 3.4 ounces because it’s easier to remember but really 100 ml comes out to 3.3814 fluid ounces.)

One of the biggest things that people get confused about is that the 3.4 ounce requirement applies to the size of the container and not the liquid within the container.

So let’s say that you have a 6 ounce container with only 2 ounces of fluid inside.

You may think that because you have under 3.4 fluid ounces of liquid, you are good to go but because your container is larger than 3.4 ounces, you cannot bring that through TSA.

The other big thing to know is that this refers to fluid ounces which relates to volume and is very different from ounces used for weight.

Some products like honey could weigh 4 ounces but still fit inside of a 3.4 fluid ounce container. It helps to know how to convert ounces/grams to fluid ounces.

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1 quart-sized resealable bag

The first “one” means that your liquids must fit within 1 quart-sized resealable bag. Typically, this will be a clear Ziploc bag which just makes things easy for everybody.

The key thing to note here is that the containers must fit “comfortably” inside this resealable bag.

What does “comfortably” mean?

It basically just means that the bag is not bursting at the seams. (Think about how a pair of jeans should fit when you’re being honest with yourself about your waist size.)

If you are not able to easily reseal your bag, then your contents may not be fitting comfortably inside.

In such a scenario, it’s possible that a TSA agent could ask you to throw something out in order to allow your bag to comply with the rules.

In my personal experience, I have not seen a lot of TSA agents enforce the “comfortable” requirement very strictly but if you have bottles poking out of your liquids bag, I could see that being an issue.

1 quart size bag per person

The last requirement is that you are allowed 1 quart size bag per person.

The easiest way to comply with this is to simply separate your liquids bag from your carry-on and have one liquids bag in your bin when going through security.

Otherwise, it could look like you are trying to bring through two bags of liquids.

The best packing tip I have for this is to keep your liquids bag at the top of your carry-on so that you can easily retrieve it.

There’s nothing worse than scrambling to find that liquids bag while trying to get ready to go through a screening checkpoint.

TSA Pre-Check liquids rule

TSA Pre-Check allows you to bypass the main security line and pass through a screening line that is usually much shorter and quicker. This also means avoiding the full body scanner in many cases. It basically makes you a VIP when it comes to airport security checkpoints.

If you have TSA Pre-Check, you can take advantage of several benefits including things like:

  • Shoes can stay on
  • Belt can stay on
  • Light jackets can stay on
  • Laptops allowed to stay in bag
  • Liquids (3-1-1) can stay in bag

That last perk is the most relevant to the liquids rule as you will not have to remove your liquids bag and place them in one of the bins when going through security. You can simply leave them in your carry-on and pass through the metal detector without any issue.

I highly recommend that you look into getting Pre-Check in order to expedite your security screening. It will only cost $78 for five years and all you have to do is pass a background check. You can also get it if you are approved for Global Entry (read how to get approved here).

New hand sanitizer liquids rule

Due to the ongoing threat of coronavirus and the potential threat of spreading germs throughout airports and aircraft, TSA recently implemented a change with respect to hand sanitizer.

Passengers will now be allowed to bring one hand sanitizer bottle up to 12 ounces. These larger bottles will be screened separately so just be aware that it could add some extra time.

What exactly is a “liquid?”

In some cases, what constitutes a liquid will be very clear.

For example, it’s pretty much common sense that water inside of a water bottle is a liquid. The same applies for cologne, mouthwash, etc.

But liquids also can include less-obvious forms like aerosols, gels, creams, or pastes.

This means that several common items you would be bringing along for your trip could be considered a liquid like: toothpaste, lotion, sunscreen, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, and others.

You can find travel-sized products for most of these so it’s usually pretty easy to bring along items that comply with the TSA liquids rule.

Other items

You need to be mindful of other items that could be considered liquids like deodorant. For example, the following types of deodorants will be subject to the 3-1-1 rule:

  • Spray
  • Gel
  • Liquid
  • Cream
  • Pastes
  • and Roll-On deodorants

Prohibited items

Just because you have something like an aerosol and it is in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces, that does not mean that you can bring it as a carry-on.

There are quite a few prohibited items like aerosol insecticide, bear spray, etc. that are not allowed as carry-ons. In fact, some of those items may not even be allowed on the plane at all. This is a good place to search if you are in doubt about whether or not you can bring a particular item.

Be aware that some items like hairspray may even have size restrictions when packed in your checked baggage.

Picture of shaving cream going into hand
Liquids can come in many different forms.

Foods can also be liquids

One aspect of the TSA liquids rule that throws a lot of people off is that they forget many foods also qualify as liquids.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of food items that will fall under the liquids rule:

  • Liquid chocolate
  • Creamy dips and spreads
  • Mashed fruits such as applesauce
  • Gravy
  • Honey
  • Jam and jelly
  • Maple syrup
  • Oils and vinegars
  • Peanut butter
  • Wet pet food
  • Salad dressing
  • Salsa and sauces
  • Soups
  • Yogurt

Basically anything that is usually poured, scooped, squeezed, slurped, or mashed will be considered a liquid for TSA purposes.

If your food is solid on the other hand, chances are you can bring it through.

Picture of a bowl of hummus
Hummus is a liquid in the eyes of TSA.

TSA rules for liquid medications

The liquids rule provides exceptions for medical supplies and medications.

TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in “reasonable quantities” than your 3-1-1 allowance.

You do not have to have a prescription for these items but keep in mind that you need to comply with state laws regarding prescriptions and controlled substances.

This leaves two questions often to be asked and answered.

The first is what is considered “medically necessary?”

For example, is contact lens solution medically necessary?

It seems the answer to that is probably yes given the TSA states, they allow “larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip” on the page regarding contact lenses.

So if in doubt check the website and then inquire with AskTSA if you still don’t know.

The second question is what is considered a “reasonable quantity?”

What is deemed as a reasonable quantity is a subjective determination.

According to the TSA, you should bring what’s necessary for the duration of your trip (e.g., seven days) plus a day or two just in case things get delayed or canceled.

If you stick to what you think will be necessary for the duration of your trip, I don’t think you will often run into trouble. But if you’re bringing a six month supply of medication on a four day getaway, that’s when you might start to run into trouble if questioned.

TSA states that you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.

You also want to remove these from your carry-on so that they can be screened separately from your belongings. (You do not have to put your liquid medication in a plastic Ziploc bag.)

Just be aware that if one of your liquid items declared as medically necessary sets off the alarm, it may require additional screening and may not be allowed.

Baby essentials

You are allowed to bring formula, breastmilk, and juice for infants or toddlers in “reasonable quantities” through airport security. According to the TSA, reasonable quantities for baby essentials typically means the duration of the flight.

When bringing these items through security, be sure to separate these from your carry-on bag so that they can be screened separately from the rest of your items.

If you are carrying liquids in excess of 3.4 ounces, you are advised to inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you have excess liquids. You can do this when you are unloading your items into the bin.

In many cases, excess liquids will be screened by x-ray.

It’s also possible that an officer may ask you to open up the container and potentially even transfer a small quantity of the liquid for testing.

If you are worried about the effects of an x-ray machine on your liquids, The Food and Drug Administration states that there are no known adverse effects from eating food, drinking beverages and using medicine screened by X-ray.

If that is not good enough assurance for you, you can ask to avoid the x-ray machine.

Additional steps may be able to be taken to clear the liquid but the traveler will likely have to undergo additional screening procedures which could include a pat down and a thorough screening of all of your carry-on property.

You will also be allowed to bring along ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk and juice.

If these are in a partially frozen state or perhaps appear like a slushy they will be subject to the same screening as described above.

Other permitted baby items include gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred and processed baby food.

Just always be aware that these items may have to undergo additional screening.

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TSA liquid rules for alcohol

Bringing alcohol through TSA presents a number of different challenges.

First, your alcohol in most cases will have to comply with the liquids 3-1-1 rule. This means that you won’t be able to bring in regular bottles of liquor or beer.

It is possible to find small bottles that are under 3.4 ounces (mini-liquor bottles are often around 1.7 ounces, so this means that they are small enough to be brought on the plane as a liquid).

But contrary to what many people think, it’s also permitted to bring your own alcohol in one of your own containers.

The catch is that there are specific restrictions about what type of alcohol is allowed on board and that can be allowed as a carry-on. You really need to make sure that you are abiding by these rules because you could be violating federal law otherwise.

The first regulation to know is that alcohol beverages with an alcoholic percentage above 70% (140 proof) is never allowed on the plane. In fact, alcohol with such a high alcohol percentage is considered a hazardous material.

If the alcohol content is above 24% but not above 70% then the alcoholic beverage must be in its retail packaging. A lot of popular alcoholic beverages for within this range. Here are some ranges for the alcoholic content of some common beverages:

Alcohol Percentage Content

  • Vodka | ABV: 40-95%
  • Gin | ABV: 36-50%
  • Rum | ABV: 36-50%
  • Whiskey | ABV: 36-50%
  • Tequila | ABV: 50-51%
  • Liqueurs | ABV: 15%
  • Fortified Wine | ABV: 16-24%
  • Unfortified Wine | ABV: 14-16%
  • Beer | ABV: 4-8%
  • Malt Beverage | ABV: 15%

And finally, one of the most important things to remember is that you are not allowed to serve yourself your own alcohol when flying.

Instead, you must request a flight attendant to serve you the alcohol or else you will be violating FAA regulations. Some flight attendants will happily serve you your own beverage but others will not be so inclined.

If you purchased alcohol at duty free store, different rules apply in that scenario. Basically, you can bring your duty free alcohol through TSA security but you have to comply with three separate requirements:

  • The duty free liquids were purchased internationally and you are traveling to the United States with a connecting flight.
  • The liquids are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and do not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
  • The original receipt for the liquids is present and the purchase was made within 48 hours.

Read more about this rule here.

bottles of mini alcohol

Checked baggage liquid rules

Many times, you can simply place your liquids in your checked baggage and not have to worry about that pesky 3-1-1 rule.

This is usually the way to go on longer trips when you might be bringing large quantities of things like shampoo or shaving cream.

But as mentioned above, you still need to make sure that the type of liquid is allowed on a plane. Certain materials may be considered hazardous and you could be violating the law by bringing those on board.

If you are loading up your checked baggage with a bunch of liquids, make sure that you double bag if there is potential for the liquids to spill!

TSA Liquid Rules FAQ

Does the TSA liquid rule apply to checked baggage?

The TSA 3-1-1 rule does not apply to checked baggage. However, there are some restrictions on what liquids can be transported in your checked baggage. There may also be limitations on the quantity of liquids when it comes to importing large quantities of things like alcohol. At some point, you might have to obtain a license for certain goods.

Does TSA enforce the liquid rule?

TSA definitely enforces the liquids rule and I would recommend not trying to circumvent the rule. It’s possible that an agent may be more lenient than another in certain circumstances but I would always assume that an agent will be enforcing strictly so that I don’t run into any unexpected issues.

Why does TSA have liquid rules?

TSA has the rules in order to detect potential explosives and other harmful materials that exist in liquid state.

Does TSA have special liquid rules for international travel?

The same liquid rules apply for both domestic flights and international flights.

One difference that you might encounter is when you purchase duty free goods before an international flight. See the duty-free section above for more details.

Also, when flying internationally it is recommended that you get to the airport extra early. It is possible that you could get hit with SSSS and be forced to undergo a heightened security screening, so always plan out extra time.

What are the TSA liquid rules for makeup?

While you might view your makeup as special, there are no special rules for your makeup when it comes to TSA. They must abide by the same 3-1-1 rule explained above. Read more about makeup rules here.

Do you have to remove liquids for TSA Pre-Check?

No, you do not have to take out your liquids if you have TSA Pre-Check.

Do airlines have different rules for liquids?

The same TSA liquids rule will apply to all airlines. So if you’re flying American or Delta, the rules will be the same as if you were flying Southwest or United.

With that said, some airlines do have some differences in how they handle acceptable baggage so you should make sure to read up on the latest baggage policies for the airlines.

What rules apply to powders?

If you are traveling from an “international last-point-of-departure” to the U.S., powder-based substances in carry-on baggage greater than 350mL or 12 oz. may require additional screening. If your substance is over 12 ounces and cannot be cleared it will not be allowed onto the aircraft cabin.
TSA recommends that you transport powders in your checked baggage.

Final word

TSA has several rules you need to follow when it comes to drinking liquids through airport security. The most well-known is the 3-1-1 rule but there are other considerations you need to think about like foods that might trigger the rule and exceptions for medical and baby essentials. In the end, try to be as reasonable as possible with what you are bringing through and you will run into few problems.

tsa liquids rule 3-1-1 infographic

Can You Bring CBD on a Plane? (TSA Rules) [2023]

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an absolute lifesaver for many people facing serious medical conditions but can you actually bring it on a plane legally or will TSA confiscate it and potentially arrest you?

In this article, we’ll take a look at whether or not you can bring CBD on a plane and I’ll give you some tips and insight into bringing the different types (oils, creams, tinctures, etc.) with you so that you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Can You Bring CBD on a Plane?

Cannabidiol (CBD) products containing less than .3% THC are legal on the federal level but several states have specific laws regarding CBD that might be more strict. This means that bringing CBD on a plane could require you to break the law in some states and risk getting fined or arrested.

With that said, TSA is not actively looking for CBD and so many people are able to bring CBD on a plane with no issues.

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cbd tincture

TSA’s purpose

TSA stands for “Transportation Security Administration” and the purpose is to “strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce.”

TSA is concerned about dangerous threats such as explosives and not with enforcing laws and penal codes. This is why they do not check for arrest warrants.

So TSA agents are not actively going to search your carry-on bag or personal item for CBD. Plus, because CBD is not psychoactive like marijuana containing THC, it’s considered less of a “drug” to many.

Therefore, individuals may have more leeway when it comes to CBD even if they are operating in somewhat of a gray area of the law.

Related: Do TSA Officers Have Guns & Arrest Powers?

The federal status of CBD

Thanks to the 2018 federal Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD is legal at the federal level. However, these CBD products must contain less than 0.3% of THC.

Keep in mind that the law applies to hemp-derived CBD and not marijuana-derived CBD. According to the USDA:

“Marijuana and industrial hemp are different varieties of the same plant species, Cannabis sativa L. Marijuana typically contains 3 to 15 percent THC on a dry-weight basis, while industrial hemp contains less than 1 percent (Blade, 1998; Vantreese, 1998). Most developed countries that permit hemp cultivation require use of varieties with less than 0.3 percent THC. However, the two varieties are indistinguishable by appearance. DeMeijer et al. (1992), in a study of 97 Cannabis strains, concluded that short of chemical analysis of the THC content, there was no way to distinguish between marijuana and hemp varieties”.

So the bottom line is that if your CBD is extracted from a cannabis plant that has more than .3% THC, then the DEA will consider it to be a federally restricted Schedule I substance.

Since you are in a quasi federal jurisdiction when going through airport security, you should be aware you’re violating federal law with CBD containing over .3% THC.

With that said, unless your packaging explicitly indicates that the CBD contains more than .3% THC, it doesn’t seem that TSA or law-enforcement would have the ability to know the THC percentage without conducting some type of testing.

And because TSA is not primarily concerned with finding drugs, from a federal perspective, traveling domestically with CBD is usually not very risky.

Related: TSA Marijuana Rules Explained (Flying with Weed)

State laws

Just like with marijuana, state laws can differ widely when it comes to CBD. The good news is that compared to marijuana, more states have legalized CBD in at least some forms.

The trick is to be aware of what type of forms are legal and any conditions attached to the legality.

For example, some states may not allow CBD in edible forms such as in gummies or in drinks. Sometimes these laws are directed more towards restaurants and cafés but they could still apply to individuals.

States that are strict on CBD legality may require some type of diagnosis such as epilepsy in order to legally carry CBD.

They also might limit the type of CBD to hemp-derived CBD and to CBD that has a THC content no higher than 0.3% (i.e., the federal standard).

If a state has fully legalized marijuana for adult consumption, you can probably bring CBD products with any % of THC with you, subject to any limitations placed on quantity/age/etc.

You can use this map to help you check on the different laws for different states.

Just be aware that these laws can change rapidly so I would always advise to do a state specific search before traveling to see what the latest developments are.

Airport rules

Some airports have specific rules that prohibit marijuana within an airport. However, I’m not aware of airports that have CBD-specific rules.

Bringing different types of CBD on a plane

Since CBD can come in so many different forms you have a lot of different options when transporting it through airport security and on to a plane.

CBD oil

If you want to bring CBD oil to through airport security and onto a plane it’s going to be considered a liquid and be subject to the TSA liquids rule.

This means that your container can be no larger than 3.4 ounces and technically you should place it into a clear, quart size bag.

Because CBD oil could be medically prescribed, you might be able to utilize an exception to the liquids rule which allows liquid medication containers to be larger than 3.4 ounces.

Due to the somewhat gray area of CBD in certain states, this could be something that is YMMV. In other words, it may not be enforced consistently.

Although TSA does not require you to carry prescriptions with your medications, I would probably bring any supporting documentation such as a prescription, doctor’s recommendation letter, and medical marijuana license if I was worried about my CBD getting through.

CBD tinctures

Tinctures are one of the most common ways to take CBD since it only involves taking a couple of drops in the mouth.

These will also be subject to the liquids rule but typically tinctures come in small containers no larger than 3.4 ounces. Therefore, a lot of the containers will comply with the liquids rule by default.

The packaging on tinctures is usually pretty descriptive and specific so it will often clearly spell out that it contains CBD and perhaps even a percentage of THC.

CBD creams

CBD creams would also fall into the liquid category so the same 3.4 ounce rule would apply and medical exceptions could also apply.

Lots of CBD creams will explicitly state CBD on the label so there’s a good chance that if someone inspected your cream they would see that you are transporting CBD.

Because it is considered a liquid it’s possible that that could cause the cream to be given a closer look although the vast majority of TSA agents probably could not care less that you are traveling with CBD.

CBD vapes

You are allowed to bring vapes on a plane and CBD vapes can look like any other type of vaping instrument so you may not have any problems bringing a CBD vape on a plane.

Just be aware that the batteries used in the vapes may not be allowed in your checked baggage. So while you could place a CBD cartridge in your checked baggage, you may need to bring the battery with you in your carry-on.

And in case you were wondering, you cannot vape CBD on a plane.

CBD gummies (edibles)

Lots of people rely on gummies or some other type of edible to take their CBD.

This is probably one of the easiest ways to transport your CBD because gummies and edibles can look like any other type of food or snack.

They can also easily be placed in either a carry-on or checked bag. And if you need to take some on the plane, it’s one of the easiest ways to discreetly consume your CBD.

Unless there is labeling on the food or packaging, somebody would have to test your edibles to verify that they contained CBD. That would be extremely unlikely when flying in the US as that is not a top concern for TSA.

CBD drinks

CBD drinks are obviously going to be subject to the liquids rule. Drinks in the original packaging will probably display the CBD content.

Because of that and the liquids rule, it might be easier to transport CBD drinks in your checked baggage.

CBD flower

You are definitely allowed to bring plants on a plane so CBD in flower form is not off-limits.

The problem is that hemp-derived CBD flower can look just like marijuana which is 100% illegal in many states and airports.

Because it can be easily detected by the look and potentially the smell, you could run into issues with someone thinking that you are bringing marijuana illegally.

As the statement by the USDA states, it could require a chemical analysis to distinguish the two.

For that reason, I would probably try to avoid transporting CBD flower right now unless you are flying between two states that have completely legalized marijuana. And even then you need to be aware that some airports may restrict marijuana, not to mention the federal status of MJ.

cbd tincture and seeds

Knowing what is in your CBD

Unfortunately, not every manufacturer abides by the highest standards when producing CBD products. This means that in some cases your CBD may contain more or less THC than the label states or that you were led to believe.

In some cases, it might even contain enough THC to be tracked down by a drug dog (although that seems unlikely).

But you could imagine an instance where you believe you have legal CBD based on the perceived THC level but a chemical test is done that shows the substance has higher than .3%. After all, that is a very low number.

So the point is just to be extra careful about the type of CBD products you bring through the airport.

How much CBD to bring?

Anytime you’re bringing something through the airport that is potentially problematic you should always seriously consider limiting the quantity you bring with you.

It’s one thing to get through with a couple of CBD vapes and some CBD gummies, but it’s quite another to transport pounds and pounds of CBD through TSA.

It’s just a matter of bringing attention to yourself and getting questioned about why you are taking such a high volume of CBD with you.

When it comes to medication, it’s usually acceptable to bring a quantity needed for the duration of your trip.

This rule of thumb may not apply when you are traveling for extended periods of time such as several months but for your average trip of a few days or maybe a couple of weeks, this rule allows you to offer a reasonable explanation for the quantity of drugs you have with you.

International travel

When traveling internationally, you really have to be careful with any type of drugs.

Some countries have some extremely strict rules for drugs that are otherwise 100% legal in the US. In some countries, getting caught with CBD could land you in jail with a hefty sentence.

For example, there was the soccer coach from the UK who was initially sentenced to 25 years when caught with CBD in Dubai (his sentence was brought down to 10 years, but still… wow).

My recommendation is always to avoid bringing banned substances into other countries.

Also, you need to be equally as careful entering the country as you would be leaving. For example, there were reports as recently as 2019 of people getting arrested at the airport with CBD when coming back into the country.

It seems many of those cases did get dropped eventually but some people have had to spend some time in jail during that process.

A lot of the CBD arrests seemed to be happening in 2019 which was just after the legalization of hemp-derived CBD in late 2018.

Since then, it appears things have potentially gotten better but you still need to remain aware that things might come up, especially if your CBD is confused for marijuana containing THC.

What if you are caught with CBD?

If you are caught with CBD the situation could play out a few different ways.

First, you may be questioned about it and have the opportunity to provide an explanation. Perhaps you could remind a TSA agent or officer that it is legal because you have under .3% THC.

Or maybe you have a prescription or doctor’s note that you can show and you can explain that you use CBD for a specific medical condition.

In another situation, an agent could throw the CBD out (rightly or wrongly) on the basis that it’s an illegal drug.

And there is always the scenario where you get referred to law-enforcement. As mentioned above, it appears law-enforcement is getting better about recognizing the legality of CBD.

However, if you were in a state where you are in possession of a prohibited type of CBD you could get fined, arrested, and taken to jail.

Final word

All forms of CBD are not legal in every state and only forms of CBD containing less than .3% THC are legal on the federal level. This means that you need to be careful when bringing CBD on a plane.

However, TSA is not actively looking to find drugs (including CBD) and there are several ways to transport CBD discreetly. Because of that, many travelers can carry CBD with them on a plane with very little to worry about.

TSA Rules for Vapes and e-Cigarettes [2023]

As people return to traveling, a lot of passengers will be asking about the TSA rules for vapes, mods, and e-cigarettes.

The rules are relatively straightforward but there are some specific requirements that you need to be aware of when it comes to things like cartridges and batteries.

In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about bringing your vape pens or e-cigarettes through airport security.

What are the TSA rules for vapes and e-cigarettes?

TSA allows passengers to bring electronic cigarettes and similar devices (vaporizers, vape pens, mods, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems) through airport security as a carry-on.

However, these devices are prohibited in checked baggage.

The FAA banned e-cigarettes in checked luggage in 2016 after there were reports of small fires that broke out in the cargo holds. So this restriction is for the safety of all passengers and crew.

Please do not attempt to get around this restriction as it will put everybody at risk.

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Bringing vapes and e-cigarettes through airport security

When taking your vapes and e-cigarettes through the airport, you can bring them inside your carry-on or inside a personal item (such as a backpack) no problem.

(I don’t recommend putting them in your pocket while in the airport because you might forget as you go through airport security scanners.)

Some airlines, such as American Airlines and Delta, recommended that you store them in a designated carry case that may have come with the original vape packaging.

If your mod/vaping device has multiple parts then it is recommended that you disassemble your vaporizer prior to entering the security line.

Even better is if you have all of the parts (atomizer, tank, mouth piece, batteries, etc.) neatly placed within a carrier for easy inspection.

When you are actually going through security, it’s recommended to remove your e-cigarette/vape, place it in a tray/bin, and put it through the x-ray scanner separately from your carry-on bag.

If you keep it in your bag, it could look suspicious and cause you to undergo additional screening.

Generally speaking, the larger your device the greater your chances of a TSA agent wanting to take a closer look.

If they want to take a closer inspection, just let them do their thing. If you don’t have any illegal substances, you don’t have anything to worry about.

Note that if you are bringing special pods or packs that contain liquid vape you need to comply with the liquids rule which I will talk about below.

Related: Bringing a lighter through airport security

Remove your vaping device from your carry-on when going through security for a smooth experience.

Liquid vape cartridges

Liquid cartridges such as JUULpods that click into the top of the JUUL devices and other similar containers that contain e “juices” are considered a liquid and, therefore, they will be subject to the TSA liquids 3-1-1 rule.

The liquids 3-1-1 rule requires all liquid containers to be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller and for them to be stored in a quart sized bag (preferably a clear Ziploc bag).

This means that if you are transporting JUULpods or other juice packs, you need to transport them in a very specific way.

First, the vape cartridges need to be smaller than 100ml.

Many vape juice cartridges are much smaller than 100ml so it should not be difficult for you to find TSA compliant vape cartridges.

In some cases you may need to remove your vape cartridge from your device so that the device has no attachments containing liquid.

Second, you need to place these cartridges in a quart sized Ziploc bag.

The key thing here is that the cartridges must fit “comfortably” inside the bag which means the bag cannot be overstuffed or almost bursting at the seams.

If you do not have TSA Pre-Check, you will need to remove your liquids bag from your carry-on as you make your way through the airport screening process.

Because of this screening process you might be better off just transporting your pods in your checked baggage where you can transport unlimited quantities.

There are reports of the pods leaking at high altitudes so having them in a sealed bag is highly recommended. It is also better to transport a partially used cartridge that has room for the liquid to expand to avoid leakage.

Related: TSA Checklist (Tips & PDF)

Checking your bag at the gate

Sometimes your plane may not have room for your carry-on, especially if you are towards the back of the boarding process.

If this happens to you and you are traveling with your vape, be sure that you remove your vape and batteries from your carry-on bag that they are checking because they will not be allowed as a checked item.

Related: Can You Take Cigarettes on a Plane?

Vape pen chargers

If you are bringing a power charger or power bank that contains a lithium ion battery it must also be packed in your carry-on bag.

This is because such battery packs can cause risks of explosions and fires in the cargo hold. So to be on the safe side, bring your spare batteries with you on your carry-on.

Keep in mind that TSA can apply extra scrutiny when traveling with multiple spare batteries because the batteries can pose a risk. This is especially true if your lithium batteries have more than 100 watt hours.

For that reason, you may want to only travel with one spare battery or pack your multiple batteries delicately so that they cannot come in to contact with each other.

Related: Bringing Batteries on a Plane: TSA’s Rules for Staying Charged Up

Flying with marijuana/THC vapes

With the growing legalization of marijuana in different states, a lot of travelers are now curious as to how they can legally fly when carrying marijuana on them.

The first thing to note is that marijuana is still illegal on the federal level which makes it illegal to fly with.

Reportedly, regardless of what airport you are departing, TSA’s response to finding marijuana will be the same.

“It is important for me to note that TSA’s response to the discovery of marijuana is the same in every state and at every airport – regardless of whether marijuana has been or is going to be legalized,” TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers explained. 

“This also covers medical marijuana.”

But in practice it’s not clear that this is the case.

If you are flying from a state that has legal marijuana, such as Colorado, and you were caught with marijuana at the airport, it is possible that they will simply request for you to dispose of the cannabis.

But if you were traveling from an area where marijuana is not legalized, the response could be much different.

The bottom line is that this is still a bit of a gray area that is still developing and so there are basically no guarantees as to how TSA will react upon finding marijuana in your possession during the security screening process.

The second thing to note is that TSA is not actively looking to discover marijuana or other illegal drugs that might be in your possession. The TSA website states:

TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs

However, they do note that if illegal substances are discovered during the security screening process the TSA will refer the matter to a law-enforcement officer.

Many vapes containing THC are pretty discreet so they may not always be easily detected.

So if you are traveling with (small amounts) of marijuana/THC vape pens you may not encounter any problems but you should be prepared to have to dispose of your marijuana if it is detected by TSA and in a worst-case scenario, be prepared to explain why you have it in your possession to a law-enforcement officer.

Related: Can You Smoke Weed in a Hotel Room?

Related: Can You Bring Food on a Plane?

The back up plan

Some travelers who are weary about losing items when going through security will bring a self-addressed envelope with postage so that they can mail off any item that would be confiscated.

I’ve personally never tried this before but I have seen reports online of people doing it successfully. While a rare occurrence, it could come in handy when a TSA agent uses discretion to confiscate your vape due to some unknown reason or suspicion (TSA agents have discretion to prevent you from bringing items through security).

I don’t see any reason why the self-addressed envelope route could not work in many instances but if you are trying to mail off illegal substances such as marijuana then it could obviously be very problematic (and illegal).

TSA rules for vapes FAQ

Can you vape in an airplane?

No, you are not allowed to vape inside an aircraft. This is to protect people from the devices’ second-hand vapor and to reduce the risk of a device malfunctioning. If you are caught vaping on a plane you could be subject to a large fine up to $4,000.

Do I need to turn my vape off during flight?

Many airlines require your vape to be turned off or to be placed in safety mode during flight.

Can you vape in an airplane lavatory?

No, you are not allowed to vape anywhere inside an aircraft.

Can I bring an e-cigarette as a carry-on?

Yes, e-cigarettes are allowed to be brought on a plane as a carry-on.

Why are vape pens not allowed and checked baggage?

Vape pens are not allowed in checked baggage because they present a hazardous risk. The batteries could be prone to exploding and catching fire in the cargo compartment.

Can you charge an e-cigarette in an airplane?

Many airlines will not allow you to charge an e-cigarette during flight and may require it to be powered off.

Can I bring an e-cigarette on an international flight?

Some countries have banned e-cigarettes from flights and from importation so before attempting to travel with an e-cigarette on an international flight you should first verify that possession of the e-cigarette in the country is legal.

Can I travel with a vape containing THC?

While TSA does not actively seek out vapes containing THC, it is possible that if it is detected they will request for you to throw it out or refer you to airport authorities. This can even occur when departing from a state with legalized marijuana.

Do I have to declare my electronic cigarette?

No, you do not have to declare your electronic cigarette or vape. However, you should remove it from your carry-on and comply with the liquids rule if needed.

Do vapes leak on airplanes?

Cartridges containing liquids tend to leak at high altitudes as the liquid expands under the decreased air pressure. So it is recommended to not carry cartridges that are full with e-liquid.

Can vapes set off the smoke alarm in a plane?

Yes, vapor can set off the smoke alarm on a plane which is another reason why you do not want to vape on a plane.

Final word

Traveling with an e-cigarette or vape through airport security is permitted so long as you comply with the liquid rules.

You want to pay extra attention to make sure you do not leave your cigarettes in your checked baggage because that could present major risks to the flight and also get you into legal trouble.

How Much Cash Can You Travel With? (TSA & International Rules) [2023]

So you have a load of cash and you want to transport it across the country or perhaps even internationally. But exactly how much cash are you allowed to travel with?

In this article, I will break down everything you need to know about traveling with cash including important rules and limitations when flying.

I’ll also cover a number of key considerations you will want to think about before taking your cash with you when going through TSA or even traveling internationally.

How much cash can you travel with?

There are no limits on the amount of cash you can travel with but there are some major considerations you need to think about when doing so.

If you are traveling domestically, your primary concern is avoiding forfeiture of your cash.

If you are traveling internationally, forfeiture is a concern but you should also be focused on remembering to declare the value of your currency and monetary instruments totaling above $10,000. Keep reading to find out more.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Traveling with cash can be problematic. Make sure you are aware of all the challenges.

TSA is concerned about dangerous threats such as explosives and not with enforcing laws and penal codes. (This is why they do not check for arrest warrants.)

Your cash money does not present a dangerous threat and so there should be no legitimate concern about it harming other passengers on the plane.

However, in the past there have been reports of TSA agents initiating the process for seizing cash from passengers under the suspicion that it is money gained from an illegal activity or money that is intended to be used on illegal activity.

Think drugs, weapons, and organized crime activities.

The seizing of cash can be accomplished under a number of different statutes including 21 U.S. Code § 881(a)(6) which governs forfeitures.

It states that you have no property right for:

(6) All moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for a controlled substance or listed chemical in violation of this subchapter, all proceeds traceable to such an exchange, and all moneys, negotiable instruments, and securities used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this subchapter.

It’s possible that if a TSA agent spots a lot of cash on you or in your bag (especially a lot of smaller bills like $20 bills) they could refer you to authorities (i.e., DEA) for some type of questioning.

The authorities may check to see if you are on some type of watchlist but even if you are not they may still deem that your cash is subject to civil forfeiture, which means that it will all be taken from you.

This can happen even if you have not been charged or convicted of any crime.

Some dogs that patrol airports have a nose for cash and a lot of cash has come into contact with illegal narcotics.

In fact, a study by Yuegang Zuo of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2009 found that about 90 percent of banknotes contain traces of cocaine. Traces of other drugs have also been found on cash like codeine, amphetamines and methamphetamines.

That means that “false positives” could be triggered, which could potentially be used as further evidence about your illegal activity (reportedly dogs don’t usually sniff out these faint traces).

If your money is seized you should have the opportunity to petition the process and to retrieve your funds.

It’s an odd legal proceeding where your cash is literally the defendant: “United States of America v. $50,000 in United States currency.”

That’s important because it means that the legal burden of proof is at the civil level which only requires it to be more likely than not that you were up to no good.

This petition process may not be very fun, could last a long time, and could be very costly. For example, you will likely need to hire an attorney which might cost you as much money as you have at stake.

Your success rate could also be very low.

In March 2017, the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General reported that over the course of 10 years, the DEA only returned money in 8% of cases.

And if you do get your money back, if you owe taxes or judgments, those will likely have to be paid out first.

For these reasons, I would try to limit the cash I take through TSA security to maybe just a couple of thousand dollars (If that).

Personally, the most cash I ever carry on me is a couple of hundred bucks.

This may be problematic for people who want to gamble at their destination or who are looking to do things like purchase a car with cash but you should make alternative arrangements to receive your cash at your destination if possible.

Tips for traveling domestically with cash

If you are thinking about traveling through TSA with cash my advice would be the following:

Keep the amount as small as possible

First, avoid bringing more than $2,000 in cash if possible. That should be well below the level considered to be suspicious, as the lowest amount I saw subject to forfeiture was $6,000.

Also, try to avoid $20 bills since those are customarily used in drug deals.

Notify a TSA agent

If you do bring cash consider notifying a TSA agent when you enter the line and see if you can get some type of private or secondary screening.

If you have TSA Pre-Check, an agent might consider you to be less likely to be engaged in criminal activity but that is not a guarantee.

But note that cash has been seized in cases where people notified a TSA agent themselves so this is not a full proof method.

And it goes without saying but do not attempt to conceal the cash on your body such as strapping it to your chest because the full body scanners will find this quite easily.

Avoid checked baggage

You might be thinking about putting the cash in your checked baggage but that is not a good idea.

For one, if the cash was detected you will not be there to explain the situation and you may be caught off guard later when you are brought in for questioning by the DEA.

Second, if your cash is detected it’s possible that an unethical TSA agent could simply decide to take your cash.

And finally, if your luggage is lost you will not be able to retrieve that cash and cash is almost always an exception to baggage insurance policies.

Bring documentation

If you are traveling with a lot of cash because you want to purchase a vehicle or take care of some other transaction make sure that you have all of the supporting documentation already with you in case you are brought in for questioning.

Presenting anything less than an airtight explanation for transporting cash can mean instant forfeiture.

Avoid transporting suspicious items

It is a good idea to avoid transporting other items such as marijuana along with your cash since that will only reinforce the image that you are up to some type of criminal drug activity.

This is even the case if the state you are flying out of has legalized marijuana.

Consider your criminal history

And finally, if you have any type of criminal history — especially cases related to drug infractions — the odds of you encountering an issue with forfeiture go up.

That’s because it will be that much easier for them to make a case against you. Remember, we are talking about a civil court burden of proof — not criminal court.

So you should really reconsider bringing a lot of cash if that applies to you.

The International cash limit of $10,000 and the need to declare

US Customs and Border Protection is clear that you can transport “any amount of currency or other monetary instruments into or out of the United States.”

The caveat is that if the amount of currency exceeds $10,000 or it’s for an equivalent then you will need to file a FinCEN Form 105 (“Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments”) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This is a pretty simple form to fill out and basically just requires you to input the following information:

  • Contact information including passport number
  • Export/import information
  • Shipping information if applicable
  • Details of the currency or monetary instrument
  • Signature

You can file this form electronically at FinCEN Form 105 CMIR, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (dhs.gov) but you can also file it in paper form.

In addition, if you are entering the United States you must declare if you are carrying currency or any other monetary instruments if they total over $10,000.

You can make this declaration on your Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.

Do not blow off this requirement because failing to declare could mean forfeiture of your money and some pretty serious criminal penalties.

And remember each country has its own policy regarding traveling with cash so you have to make sure you are in compliance with the country you are headed to.

Monetary instrument

Unless you went to law school for three years you might be wondering what a “monetary instrument” is as it’s found on the FinCEN Form 105.

US Customs and Border Protection defines it as:

  • Currency
  • Traveler’s checks in any form
  • All negotiable instruments (including personal checks, business checks, official bank checks, cashier’s checks, third-party checks, promissory notes, and money orders) that are either, in bearer form, endorsed without restriction, made out to a fictitious payee, or otherwise in such form that title passes upon delivery
  • Incomplete instruments (including personal checks, business checks, official bank checks, cashiers’ checks, third-party checks, promissory notes, and money orders) signed but with the payee’s name omitted
  • securities or stock in bearer form or otherwise, in such form that title passes thereto upon delivery.

In this article we are mostly focused on cash which would most definitely fall under “currency.”

Specifically, 19 CFR § 1010.100(m) defines “currency” as the coin and paper money of the United States or of any other country that:

  • (1) is designated as legal tender, (2) circulates, and (3) is customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in the country of issuance. 
  • Currency includes U.S. silver certificates, U.S. notes, and Federal Reserve notes. 
  • Currency also includes official foreign bank notes that are customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in a foreign country.

The big take away here is that this restriction applies to cash of the US and also other countries.

The cash of pretty much every developed country is going to meet the requirements for currency listed above so it doesn’t matter if you are transporting Great Britain Pounds, Euros, etc.

Keep in mind that each form of currency and monetary instrument counts separately, as well. So if you have $6,000 in cash and a $5,000 traveler’s check, you are above the limit.

And members of a family residing in one household entering the United States that submit a joint or family declaration must declare if the members are collectively above the $10,000 limit.

So if a husband has $4,000 and the wife has $7,000, that family must declare because they are collectively above the limit.  

Items that don’t count as currency

Some items related to currency do not officially count as currency but you still may have to declare them as “merchandise.”

For example, coins of precious metals, including silver and gold, do not fall into the definition of “monetary instrument” or “currency.” 

However, coins of precious metals must be declared as merchandise if they are acquired abroad.

Other articles of precious metals (including gold bullion, gold bars, and gold jewelry) also do not fall into the definition of “monetary instrument” or “currency.”

However, these articles must also be declared as merchandise if they are acquired abroad.

They also have a list of excluded items which includes:

  • Warehouse receipts and bills of lading
  • Monetary instruments that are made payable to a named person, but are not endorsed or which bear restrictive endorsements
  • Credit cards and prepaid cards
  • Virtual currencies including Bitcoin

So if you are traveling around with credit limits above $50,000 or a nice stash of cryptocurrency you don’t have to worry about declaring those items.

Remember these laws apply to foreign currency as well as US currency.

Factors to consider when traveling with cash

When you are traveling chances are you are going to want to spend some money on various expenses like dining and excursions. It is highly recommended to use a good travel rewards credit card for these expenses for a few reasons.

Getting through security

If you have a bag full of cash money, that bag is going to have to get through security at some point. This may be at the airport, a train station, etc.

As explained in detail above, if a screening agent notices that you have wads of cash in a bag this could potentially raise a red flag and a worst-case scenario of you losing your cash and never getting it back.

The theft risk

Traveling with cash is risky whether you keep that cash on you or you stored in your hotel room.

If you are walking around with cash on you there is always that chance that you could run into a thief. This could be someone who could pick pocket your wallet or cash right out of your clothes or bag.

Or in a more serious case, this could be someone who holds you up with some type of weapon and forces you to handover your cash.

If you are going to travel with cash on your person it’s recommended to have some type of hidden wallet and a dummy wallet in your pocket. Your dummy wallet will have a small amount of cash, perhaps a duplicate credit card and even a duplicate ID to make it look as realistic as possible.

The idea is that if someone were to take that dummy wallet they would only get away with a minimal amount of your valuables. You could then have your real stash of cash hidden beneath your clothing.

If you choose to store your cash in your hotel room you also need to be careful. Putting your cash into a hotel safe is not quite as secure as you might think. In some cases you may actually want to just hide your cash somewhere in the room where a thief would not think to look.

Either way you go, carrying a lot of cash on you is a risk that you need to weigh very carefully.

Travel insurance

You can get travel insurance by paying for your excursions and travels with a good travel credit card.

So if for some reason you purchase a nonrefundable hotel or tour and then you have to cancel because you get sick or for some other covered reason, you can get fully reimbursed for your purchase. In some cases this could put thousands of dollars back in your pocket.

But if you paid for something like your hotel with cash there is a good chance that you will simply be out of luck and get hit with the loss.

Also, you might struggle to even be able to pay cash for certain travel expenses like rental cars.

Foreign conversion fees

When you convert your cash into a foreign currency you will be paying some type of conversion fee and in some cases may be dealing with a subpar rate, especially at those kiosks.

Certain types of ATM cards will allow you to withdraw cash in the local currency with minimal fees but the best way to make purchases abroad is to simply have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Rewards

Travel credit cards are great about offering rewards on purchases made abroad.

You don’t have to look very far to find a credit card that will earn you extra bonus points on flights, hotels, and even your tours and events. Earning extra points on dining, even when dining abroad, is also easy with cards like the Amex Gold Card.

By paying with cash you are missing out on all of these valuable rewards.

Final word

Traveling with a lot of cash can be problematic because that is often how actors travel who are engaged in criminal activities.

Your best bet is to avoid bringing a lot of cash but if you must, try to bring as much supporting documentation as possible and be prepared for questioning and the possibility of you having to fight against the government to retrieve your money.

What is a Redress Number? (And Do I Need One?) [2023]

If you’ve ever been slowed down at the airport by additional screening measures you know how frustrating (and even anxiety-inducing) it can be. Now imagine this happening just about every single time you make your way through an airport!

That’s what some people experience because the government has mistaken them for a nefarious actor or there has been some other hiccup with checking their background information.

Luckily for these people, there is something that they can do about this. It’s called getting a redress number and it’s actually pretty easy and straightforward to do. In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting a redress number, including what the meaning is and when you should consider applying for one.

What is the meaning of a “Redress Number?”

A redress number is a case number issued by the Department of Homeland Security that allows individual agencies like the TSA to properly identify travelers that may have been misidentified as those who require additional screening.

Your name can also end up on a list requiring additional screening if you travel through certain countries, such as those in the Middle East.

The Department of Homeland Security set up a program to remedy these situations called the DHS TRIP and here’s what the DHS states about it:

Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs—like airports and train stations—or crossing U.S. borders

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Do I need a redress number?

As you can imagine, not everyone has issues getting through airport security and other ports of entry so not everyone needs a redress number.

One of the most common reasons for getting a redress number is when you’ve been subjected to secondary screening on multiple occasions. For example, you might constantly receive “SSSS” on your boarding pass and be forced to be searched in a special security area (likely receiving a pat down) before boarding.

Here are a few other situations, based on DHS recommendations, when you might need a redress number:

  • You were not able to print a boarding pass online
  • You had issues getting a boarding pass from the ticket kiosk
  • You were denied or delayed boarding
  • A ticket agent called someone before handing you a boarding pass
  • You are on the “No Fly List”
  • You were denied entry back into the US
  • You were told your fingerprints were incorrect or of poor quality

Basically, anything related to getting access to boarding or making your way through an airport or port of entry that happens on a repeated basis may mean that you should look into getting a redress number. But the key here is that it happens on a repeated basis — if it’s an isolated event you probably don’t need a redress number.

SSSS on boarding pass

How to get a redress number

To get a redress number, you need to go through the DHS TRIP process and submit an application form. You can submit an application form online or you can print one out and submit it via mail. You might also print out your application, scan it, and then send it via email.

Filling out these applications is easy and will not require much of your time. 

There are two ways you can fill out the application.

Here’s what filling out the application form will entail.

Travel details

You’ll first be asked to provide details related to your travel issues on your application.

If you had issues with a flight you’ll fill out your flight information, such as:

  • Travel dates
  • Airport
  • Airline
  • Flight number

You’ll also be asked to check the type of issue you had, such as if you were denied boarding or subject to additional screening, etc.

(If you had multiple flights, provide that information in the Incident Details box.)

You can also provide information about your trip through ports of entry, immigration, customs, or border control. You’ll include relevant details like:

  • The date of entry
  • Name of airline or vessel
  • Port of entry into the US
  • Flight or cruise ticket number
  • Date of departure from the US
  • US Airport

Finally, be sure to describe the incident or incidents related to your boxes checked in the Incident Details at the bottom of the page (up to 5,000 characters).

Identity information

Next, you’ll need to provide your identity information. This is very basic information. Just provide your name and other names if you have used other names in the past along with your contact information.

They also ask you to submit information about your travel frequency (questions like: “On average, how often do you travel each month?”).

Government-issued document

Next, you’ll need to provide information for the type of government-issued document that you’re going to send in. Make sure that it is legible and that it is NOT expired.

If you do not have a passport, you’ll need to provide a copy of at least one legible, unexpired copy of a government-issued photograph bearing travel document, such as a:

  • Passport Card
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Drivers License
  • Government ID Card
  • Immigrant/Nonimmigrant Visa
  • Military ID Card
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Global Entry
  • Alien Registration
  • Petition or Claim Receipt
  • I-94 Admission Number
  • FAST
  • SENTRI
  • NEXUS
  • Border Crossing Card
  • Additional Supplemental Documents

Also note:

  • For children under the age of 18 who do not possess a photograph-bearing travel document, a copy of a birth certificate may be submitted
  • Do not provide copies of Social Security Cards, Tax Information, or Personal Financial documents

Once you’ve entered in all of your information and submitted your application, you’ll need to print out the next screen and sign that page and send it in along with a copy of the ID you’re sending in as well.

You must send in your documents within 30 days of completing your application. 

Note that on that page you’ll see your Redress Control Number.

Related: REAL ID Act: Explained with Detailed Timeline

Sending in your documents

You can submit documents via mail or e-mail.

For expedited service, e-mail all requested documents to TRIP@tsa.dhs.gov.

If your attachments exceed 10 MB, they will be rejected due to size limits so they suggest that you send separate e-mails with attachments using the same subject line.

You can mail in your documents to the address below:

DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP)
601 South 12th Street, TSA-901
Arlington, VA 20598-6901

Submitting documents via mail will result in slower processing. In fact, due to federal government mail screening requirements it could take 10-15 business days for the government to receive your submission. 

How long does it take to get a number?

After your application and documentation have been received and verified for completeness, DHS TRIP will process your request and they state that the minimum length of a review of a request for redress is 30 business days.

The processing time can be much shorter than that though and some get their request approved in a matter of a couple of weeks or even days. However, the DHS has sent out emails telling others to expect processing times of 50 days or longer.

So the processing time can vary and it might depend on the nature of your request.

How to check your redress status

You can check on the status of your redress case application here.

Here are the different statuses your application might be in:

  • “In Progress”- required documentation has been received and the redress process is underway.
  • “Closed”- Any corrections or updates have been made, and a final response letter was mailed to you.
  • “Pending Paperwork” or “No Paperwork,” – DHS TRIP has sent you a letter describing the additional information needed to complete your case review.

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How to use a redress number

When you go to make a flight reservation, you should see a field to enter in your redress number. This is often close to the field for your Known Traveler Number. You can also add your redress number to your frequent flyer profile when you log-in as shown below with Southwest and United.

Alaska Airlines

Sign in and click on your profile located at the top right. Then click “Overview and Elite Status”. From the drop down menu under Account select “Profile and Settings”. To the right select “Travel Documents”.

Delta Airlines

Sign in and click on your profile located at the top right. Then click “Profile” and to the right, click on secure flight info.

JetBlue

Sign in and click on your profile located at the top right. Click “Profile & Settings” and scroll down to the bottom.

Southwest Airlines

Sign in and click on My Account and then click “Profile” at the top right and the Redress Number is located under Travel related info.

United

Sign in and click on “View My United” and then click “Profile” on the left and from that drop down select TSA PreCheck and travel documents. You will see the option to add your Redress Number.

Redress number vs Known Traveler Number

A redress number is different from a Known Traveler Number (KTN).

A Known Traveler Number, also called your “KTN,” is a 9-digit number used to link your TSA Pre-Check enrollment to your travel itinerary. This is the same number used for other trusted traveler programs, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. However, for these latter programs, this number is known as your “PASSID.”

TSA Pre-Check will allow you to make your way through security in a breeze by going through an expedited line and by not taking off your belt, shoes, light jackets, and keeping your liquids and electronics in your bag.

Global Entry will grant you expedited entry through US Customs and Immigration at ports of entry. Also, if you get Global Entry, it comes with TSA Pre-Check as well.

(By the way, there are several ways that you can get TSA Pre-Check /Global Entry for free and if you want to find out more about those options click here.)

The only relationship between a KTN and a redress number is that if you need a redress number and don’t have one, your KTN benefits like TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry might be affected.

Once you are given a redress number, you are still able to use your Global Entry and TSA-Pre Check benefits.

Redress Number FAQ

How do I know if I am on a Government Watchlist?

According to the DHS, the U.S. government does not reveal whether a particular person is on or not on a watchlist and the selection criteria is largely a secretive process.

Am I on a terrorist watchlist if I need a redress number?

Ninety-nine percent of individuals who apply for redress are not on the terrorist watchlist, but are misidentified as people who are.

Also, there are two subsets of the terrorist watchlist which are the “No Fly” list and “Selectee” list:

The “No Fly” list includes individuals who are prohibited from boarding an aircraft. You are NOT on the No Fly list if you receive a boarding pass.
The “Selectee” list includes individuals who must undergo additional security screening before being permitted to board an aircraft.

What if I lost my redress control number?

You can still get it retrieved by sending an email to TRIP@dhs.gov/Redress_Number_Inquiry and providing your full name (including your middle name), current home address, and date of birth.

Do I have to be a US citizen to apply?

No, you do not have to be a US citizen to apply.

Do families send in one application?

No, each person in a family or other traveling group seeking redress must submit a separate application.

Final word

If you’ve been burdened by extra security measures and you have repeatedly struggled to make your way through airport security, through the boarding process for planes and trains, or when getting back into the country, there’s a chance that you might need a redress number. It’s very easy to get if needed, so there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t give it a shot.

Can You Take Photos or Video at TSA Checkpoints and in Airports? [2023]

A lot of people like to document their travels or simply take in their experiences by recording videos and snapping photographs.

Some airports also are full of interesting architecture and even works of art so it’s not hard to find legitimate photo opportunities when making your way to the airport.

But can you actually take photos or videos when inside the airport and when making your way through TSA security checkpoints?

In this article, we will take a look at the policies for TSA and different airlines and airports.

I’ll breakdown what is allowed and where a lot of confusion is often coming from so that you’ll know what to expect whenever taking photographs in the airport.

Can you take photos or video in airports?

Airports will allow you to take photos and video in certain public parts of the airport but in other areas you may need to obtain consent in order to film or photograph.

In order to figure out where you can freely take photographs at an airport, you need to analyze the different policies for those who operate inside the airport such as: TSA, the airlines, airport police, and airport staff.

It also helps to look at what the Supreme Court has said with respect to the First Amendment in airports.

We’ll take a look below to see how these entities respond to people taking photographs and what their stated policies look like.

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Can you take photos or video at TSA checkpoints?

According to TSA:

TSA does not prohibit photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or sensitive information is not revealed

So TSA will allow photos and videos at checkpoints but it really comes down to what counts as interference or sensitive information.

What counts as “interference?”

The most problematic bit of language taken from TSA probably has to do with what constitutes “interference.”

TSA does supply us with some guidance on this question and states interference with screening includes but is not limited to:

  • Holding a recording device up to the face of a TSA officer so that the officer is unable to see or move
  • Refusing to assume the proper stance during screening
  • Blocking the movement of others through the checkpoint
  • Refusing to submit a recording device for screening

Some of these are pretty understandable.

For example, it’s pretty obnoxious to put your phone in someone’s face and start recording, especially if they are unable to see or move. It’s also very inconsiderate to block the movement of other travelers trying to get through a busy checkpoint.

So you could boil down these rules to say that: if you keep a reasonable distance from passengers, TSA officers, and follow screening directions, you will probably be in the clear — at least based on the criteria above.

It is worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list of “interference.”

So it is possible that TSA could come up with additional reasons why you are interfering with the screening process.

For example, they could state that you are making other passengers feel uncomfortable in the security line whenever you bring out your device and start recording.

“Sensitive information”

Whether or not you are revealing sensitive information should be a pretty easy thing to determine based on common sense but TSA does provide guidance on the issue.

TSA explicitly mentions that “you may not film or take pictures of equipment monitors that are shielded from public view.”

So for example whenever they run bags through the x-ray scanner and an agent is viewing one of those monitors, you can’t take pictures of that monitor. I assume the same would probably apply to the full body scanner monitors.

This is a very reasonable policy considering that you could be distracting the personnel who need to be monitoring the screens for dangerous explosives.

Plus, I would not want other people “snooping” inside of my baggage and taking photos of the contents I’m traveling with. There could also be medical privacy issues with allowing others to photograph the full body scanners.

Even with that said, some entities like the ACLU question whether or not there is even a legal basis to exclude photos at the stations.

A lack of accountability?

A recent federal court case from the Fourth Circuit shows a real lack of accountability with how this rule on taking video and photographs is enforced.

In that case, a couple was going through security when one of them was subject to a pat down. The spouse attempted to record the pat down (from about 10 feet away) but was told to stop and also to delete the video by a TSA agent and the agent’s supervisor.

They ended up suing on the basis of a First Amendment and Fourth Amendment violation and while the District Court seemed to be ruling in their favor, the appellate court ruled in favor of TSA and essentially granted them immunity.

This means that while you have the right to take photos and record, you probably will not have the support of the courts if those rights are ever infringed upon, which ultimately undermines those rights.

What do airports say about taking photos and videos?

Each airport may have its own policy regarding restrictions on photos and videos and often these may be made in conjunction with the law enforcement divisions that are responsible for overseeing the airport.

For example, the Port Authority which operates John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, Stewart and Teterboro airports states the following:

The Port Authority reserves the right to restrict videotaping and photography at its airports. Videotaping and photographing at security checkpoint areas operated by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration is prohibited without the consent of the TSA. Videotaping and photographing in areas controlled by individual airlines, such as check-in or gate areas, is prohibited without the consent of the airline.“

It’s interesting that they point out that consent would be required by the TSA. Based on what is stated on the TSA website, you could argue that consent is already given.

LAX also has a pretty detailed policy on filming and photography.

They state:

Journalists are welcome to conduct reporting, filming or photography within public areas of the airport as long as they do not disrupt passenger flow or otherwise impede airport operations, tenants or passengers

Once again, we see standard language on avoiding the disruption of passengers and airport personnel.

But they go on to mention about filming restrictions that TSA and other entities within the airport such as airlines may impose:

All filming within the gate areas, concessions or other leased spaces is not allowed without the permission of the leaseholders. TSA Public Affairs must approve any filming of the TSA checkpoints in advance. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must approve any filming within customs areas in advance.

So based on the language from these airports, you can gather that filming or possibly taking photographs in areas controlled by individual airlines (leaseholders) like the gate areas may need special consent.

But let’s see what the airlines actually say.

What do airlines say about photos and video?

Unfortunately, airlines do not make it very easy to locate their official policies on photography and videography. Some like JetBlue apparently even keep it internal for security reasons.

However, some airlines like United Airlines have an official page that outlines their (on board) policy. United states:

The use of small cameras or mobile devices for photography and video is permitted on board, provided you limit the purpose of your photography and video to capturing personal events. Any photographing or recording that creates a safety or security risk or that interferes with crew members’ duties is prohibited.

Other airlines probably follow a very similar policy: as long as you’re not getting in the way of anybody or causing trouble, you are probably fine.

It’s also a good practice to not take photos or video of staff members or passengers without their consent unless you have some type of good reason for doing it such as to obtain evidence for a potential claim or criminal matter.

It’s just a matter of not making people uncomfortable so as to prevent a confrontation — not necessarily a legal thing.

Also, whenever you are inside the airport terminal it’s possible that an airline may impose a policy against photographs and video for certain areas.

For example, American Airlines apparently restricts photography at ticket counters, baggage areas, and gates.

Without guidance from the airline it’s hard to know how restrictive (or reasonable) these policies are and how they would hold up in court.

How to get around the airlines’ restrictions

For blog reporting/content purposes, I’ve been taking photos of airport check-in areas, airline cabins, and certain portions of security checkpoints over the past eight years and have barely ever had any issues.

One of the best ways to avoid attracting unwanted attention is to simply look as touristy as possible when taking photographs.

This is really easy to do when you’re traveling with a companion or other people because you simply make it look like you’re taking a bunch of selfies and personal vacation pics while slipping in photos of whatever it is you’re trying to get.

Smile big, wave to the camera, look cheesy, etc. That will get you much further than looking shady with covert camera ops.

What does the US Constitution and current law say?

In the past, the Supreme Court denied that airports were “public forums.”

“Thus, we think that neither by tradition nor purpose can the terminals be described as satisfying the standards we have previously set out for identifying a public forum.” International Soc. for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Lee, 505 US 672, 683 (1992).

This means that airport terminals don’t offer the strong First Amendment protections that you would find on a sidewalk, street, or park.

Other cases go along with this ruling although some seem to push back at times, so I don’t know the law is 100% settled on if any portions of an airport can qualify as a public forum.

If you look to guidance on public spaces from the ACLU, you’ll see they believe taking photographs and video of things that are plainly visible in public spaces is a constitutional right.

They reiterate that they don’t believe “restrictions on photography in the public areas of publicly operated airports are constitutional.”

My take is that the law is a bit murky when it comes to your First Amendment protections to photograph in airports.

It will probably be okay to do in most areas provided you are not interfering with operations but you may not necessarily have as much legal support as you would think based simply on an airport being a “public space.”

This may not be the hill you want to die on.

Can TSA confiscate your phone for taking photos?

TSA stands for “Transportation Security Administration” and the purpose is to “strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce.”

TSA is not looking for drugs like marijuana, trying to track down your arrest warrants, or engage in other types of law-enforcement duties. Moreover, they have not been granted special authority by the US government to engage in certain types of searches and seizures.

Since they lack police power, they cannot demand to see the contents of your photo album or force you to delete photos. [although, see the updated case mentioned above.]

In some cases, in order to get through a checkpoint you could be asked to power on your electronic device to determine if it functions, and your device also could be inspected to ensure that nothing is hidden inside of it.

But if they ask you to log-in to your device or unlock it/view photos or videos, they are overstepping boundaries and you should feel okay with challenging their authority.

In some cases, the local airport police will get involved, usually when a TSA agent calls them over to sort something out.

According to the ACLU, police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your digital photographs or video without a warrant (there may be exceptions in exigent circumstances).

If police get involved, just be respectful and politely request for them to provide you with the authority they are using to deny your ability to film or photograph.

Try to comply as much as possible to avoid escalating the situation but feel free to insist on a warrant if they try to apprehend your phone.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

When it comes to the contents of your phone, things change dramatically when you are dealing with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and you’re entering/exiting the United States.

They may be much more strict about cell phone use and photographs and usually they say it is not allowed.

Also, in these areas, the same rules do not apply that require warrants and reasonable suspicion — the contents of your phone, including photographs could be fair game.

That’s because according to the law, you have a reduced expectation of privacy at a border crossing, whether you are coming in or going out.

The case law is still evolving on all of this but CBP has a lot of liberty when it comes to confiscating your phone to review its contents. I would not try to push things with CBP as far as trying to get photographs and video, as they have much more authority than TSA agents.

Also worth mentioning is that when traveling internationally those airports can be a lot stricter with no photography policies.

Is it worth the trouble?

The final question to ask yourself is it worth the trouble?

If you go around taking video and photographs throughout the airport you run the risk of encountering issues with TSA, airport staff, airline staff, airport police, other passengers, and potentially CBP or Homeland Security depending on where you are.

There may be some restrictions regarding filming or photographs that you were not aware of. You may also run into individuals who are misinformed on the law and even their own organization’s policies.

Many times, there may be grey areas filled with subjective determinations on things like what constitutes “personal use” or “interference” and that is where the trouble usually begins.

Regardless of who is in the right, just know that if you go around taking lots of photos and videos without much regard this is basically inviting some type of conflict.

You have to ask yourself if this is truly worth it for your goals.

In a worst case scenario, you could be arrested, detained, or placed on some type of government watch list that interferes with your ability to easily get through airports.

Even if you were to take your issue to court and win after a lengthy and costly legal battle, that would still be a huge burden to bear for the sake of some photographs or video.

For some people, fighting such a fight is worth it but I would venture to guess that for most of us, that type of legal fight is not something we would be interested in going through.

My advice would be to not let your emotions get the best of you if someone ever tries to clamp down on your ability to take photos or videos.

My go-to move is to just comply and put my phone away and then if I really need the photos try to get some a little bit later when that individual is out of the picture (literally and figuratively). Otherwise, I’ll just drop it.

Pick your battles wisely.

Final word

Taking photographs and video in an airport is often not a problem so long as you do it in areas where security is not an issue, you are not interfering with airport operations, and you are not taking pictures of people without their consent.

Although airports are public spaces, it’s not clear what level of free speech protections you have because airports are not “public forums” in the legal sense.

So my advice would be to stick with getting personal travel photos that come off as touristy captures and try to resist encroaching on airport personnel.

Because even if you do have the right to film or take certain photos, it’s often not worth the hassle that will follow. And in some cases, your legal rights may not be as strong as you think they are.

TSA Approved Locks Guide (Worth It?) [2023]

Nobody wants potential criminals or strangers having access to personal items in their travel luggage. One way that people add an extra layer of security to their baggage is to place a TSA approved lock on their bag.

But how exactly do these TSA approved locks work? And can they really be trusted?

In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about TSA approved locks including the pros and cons of using them.

You’ll see exactly when it’s worth it to use them and also get some recommendations for finding the best locks. But most of all, you will see why they might be a security risk in some cases.

What are TSA approved locks?

TSA approved locks are special locks designed by Travel Sentry and Safe Skies that TSA agents can easily unlock with a master key. They provide travelers with an additional layer of security while also allowing TSA agents to inspect bags when necessary.

However, there are some major security concerns with these locks. Keep reading below to see when you should and should NOT use TSA approved locks.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How to know if a lock is TSA approved

It’s very easy to quickly identify a TSA approved lock because they will have a red diamond (Travel Sentry logo) on the lock that is pretty hard to miss.

Check out the four locks below. Notice how they each have a red diamond icon in the top right for easy recognition.

In addition to the red icon, you can also often find etched lettering indicating the type of TSA lock such as “TSA-007” (but more on that below).

TSA approved locks can come in a lot of different forms including:

  • Three number combination
  • Four number combination
  • Cable Locks
  • Pad Locks
  • Built-in luggage locks

These locks, which can come in all sorts of different colors, shapes, and sizes, can also come from quite a few different brands including:

  • Anvil
  • Forge
  • Master Lock
  • Sure Lock
  • Samsonite

In total, the Sentry Lock system is licensed to over 500 companies worldwide!

So don’t be surprised if you encounter a lot of locks from brands you have never heard of — they may very well be legitimate companies.

It’s worth noting that there are also TSA approved locks designed by Safe Skies. Their website is a bit more old school so I think they are a smaller player in the space but as far as I can tell, you can still order their locks.

Why should you use TSA approved locks?

You should use TSA approved locks so that you can keep your belongings a little bit more secure while not wasting money on travel locks.

Keep your belongings a little bit more secure

One use for TSA approved locks is that these locks provide one extra hurdle for thieves.

Even if the locks could be easily picked or removed, the fact that a thief would have to take one extra step to get into your bag could deter them and cause them to choose a different bag.

It’s similar to using a hotel safe — they are not full-proof but could force a thief to look elsewhere.

This probably works best against pick pockets that you could encounter around the airport, on shuttle buses, trains, and in hotels.

But consider that some thieves may be attracted to a suitcase that has a lock on it because they could view it as a sign that there is something extra valuable on the inside!

Keep your luggage zippers from coming open

Personally, I think TSA approved locks are most useful for making sure that their luggage zippers do not come undone while traveling.

Cheaper bags and bags that have been used a lot could be more prone to this because they lack sufficient tension in the zipper slider to keep the teeth connected.

The result could be a disaster where your wardrobe and luggage contents are spilled all over the place! So placing a lock on your luggage can help you avoid worrying about this scenario.

Avoid wasting money on travel locks

To understand how you might be wasting money, it helps to first understand how the screening process works for checked bags and what TSA’s liability policy is for damaged locks.

TSA screening process

TSA screens about approximately 1.4 million checked bags per day.

Contrary to what many believe, during the screening process, TSA is not actively looking for drugs. So if you have marijuana in your checked baggage it’s not like TSA agents are trying to catch you with some bud.

Instead, TSA is much more concerned with things like explosives and other dangerous items.

The exact screening process that your bag undergoes can vary based on the airport since TSA and airports are constantly testing out new technologies.

But typically, your checked bag will go through an x-ray machine after it is checked in with the airline.

There could be someone watching the x-rays in real time or more likely the x-ray machine could be utilizing some kind of algorithm that detects prohibited items.

If the algorithm is tripped then your bag may go to a TSA inspection room where an agent will perform a physical inspection of your luggage (only about 5% to 10% of checked bags are physically inspected).

In this room, all of the contents of your bag could be removed and swabbed for traces of explosives.

The good news is they do keep cameras in these inspection rooms so if something goes missing, there should be a proper investigation to check the footage.

Your bag could also be inspected if an airport sniffing dog alerts a TSA agent to your bag or perhaps agents see something suspicious on CCTV.

Finally, there are also random inspections.

The bottom line is you never know if your checked bag will be inspected by a TSA officer and will need to be opened. So you should always prepare for the possibility.

No liability if damaged

If your bag needs to be inspected and you have a non-TSA approved lock on it, then agents will cut away that lock in order to inspect your baggage.

They will not be responsible for the damage to the lock, so you’ll be out of luck on having a lock for your luggage.

This is one of the major reasons why you would want to use a TSA approved lock — you can avoid the risk of wasting money on a lock.

Something else to be aware of is that many times locks get stuck in the conveyor belts and break.

So just because your bag comes back missing its lock, that does not mean that your bag was physically inspected. It could have just been bad luck.

Some TSA approved locks have lifetime warranties so you could always file a claim and potentially get a free lock replacement.

Notice of baggage inspection

If your checked baggage is opened and physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag (which you can view below).

If this happens to you, you should check your bag to see if you are missing anything.

It’s possible that you could be missing prohibited items that were removed from your baggage. For example, if you had excessive cans of hairspray or vape batteries, a TSA agent could find those and remove them.

If that’s the case, then you should just be grateful that you were not tracked down for a violation of bringing prohibited items in your luggage. Many prohibited items could land you with a big fine!

In some cases, you might find that you’re missing a valuable item.

It’s recommended to put your electronics and other valuable items in your carry-on bag so that they don’t leave your side but that is not always possible.

If you find that some of your items are missing or maybe even just damaged, you can file a complaint with the TSA.

Note that you need to file your complaint within 180 days of the events in order to get the matter properly looked at.

TSA Notice of baggage inspection

Why should you NOT use TSA approved locks?

There are a couple of reasons why you do not want to use TSA approved locks in certain instances and they both come down to a lack of security.

Universal master keys are widely available

Something that a lot of people don’t know is that it’s very easy for people to get access to a TSA master key.

TSA approved locks come in different versions.

You can usually see which version the lock is by looking for a number etched on the lock ranging from: TSA001 to TSA008.

These numbers tell the TSA agent inspecting your bag which TSA master key to use in order to unlock the lock.

The problem is that master keys have been available to the public for quite some time.

One can easily go online and purchase a TSA master key for under $20.

There’s no guarantee that the key will work but I’ve seen instances online of people successfully using these master keys for their own TSA locks.

Then there is the 3-D printer issue. In 2014, the Washington Post published an article with photos of the TSA master keys.

It did not take very long for people to create templates for the TSA master keys and start 3-D printing their own TSA master keys that also successfully unlock the locks.

This has been going on for over almost a decade. And even before that, it’s speculated that people were able to reverse engineer the keys starting back in 2011.

What does this mean?

This means that TSA approved locks offer a minimal level of security and should never be seriously relied upon outside of the context of an airport.

Remember, TSA approved locks also come with bright red diamond indicators on them that basically scream, “Hey I’m easy to open!”

If you were a thief with a master key, you could easily spot them and target them for your next criminal act.

TSA Master Keys
Image via Reddit.

TSA approved locks can be picked

TSA approved locks can easily be picked.

One quick YouTube search will yield several videos showing how easily these locks can be picked.

But even if someone does not have a master key or the ability to pick a lock, they could easily just use a writing pen to pop open the teeth of the zipper.

The zipper could still be used and the bag won’t even be ruined if done properly. See this video for how it could be done. This means that baggage handlers could still easily get into your bag and potentially even use your bag to transport illegal substances like drugs.

At lots of airports, the baggage handlers don’t have to go through normal security.

So they could easily bring drugs into the baggage loading area and slip them into luggage. If they have connections where the airport is landing, those people could then pick up the drugs. Or, there could be passengers who are in on it and simply pick up their checked baggage at the destination.

What does TSA think about all of this?

TSA doesn’t really seem to care about the ability of others to open these locks judging by the statements they made to The Intercept that:

“The reported ability to create keys for TSA-approved suitcase locks from a digital image does not create a threat to aviation security. These consumer products are ‘peace of mind’ devices, not part of TSA’s aviation security regime.”

And that makes sense.

The primary concern of TSA is to ensure dangerous items are not getting through security screening.

The fact that members of the public could open up these locks does not really change anything about what TSA is doing — the screening process remains the same.

Not really needed for carry-ons

If you never check your bag, there’s a good chance you will never need a TSA approved lock.

The reason is that your bag is always within reach and you should be able to keep a close eye on it at all times.

If you are worried about your zippers busting open then a cable lock might make sense but even in that case you can often get away with using something else.

Some people like to put locks on their smaller bags to prevent pick pockets.

This might work but as mentioned placing locks on backpacks and other small bags can also make your item more of a target for some thieves. And we’ve already shown how easy it is to bust through a zipper.

Are TSA approved locks just not that useful?

Considering that just about any member of the public could get their hands on a master key and that these locks can be picked with relative ease, what use do these TSA approved locks really have?

You can narrow down the benefits of these locks to a few things:

  • Helps you avoid wasting money on locks for your travel luggage
  • Helps you keep your zippers closed so contents don’t spill out your bag
  • Helps create an extra barrier for thieves

International travel

TSA rules apply when traveling in the US so TSA approved locks naturally are well-suited for travel within the US.

But what happens whenever you are traveling internationally? Can you still use TSA approved locks and expect the security screening agents to not cut off your lock?

It’s a good question and the answer is: it depends.

Currently, there are over 500 million Travel Sentry locks and luggage in circulation.

As a result, a lot of airports around the world will recognize TSA approved locks and have the ability to use a master key to open them.

If you are traveling internationally, a good idea is to check ahead of time to see if the countries you are traveling through will recognize these locks. You can search for the country of your airport here.

If you have a Safe Skies lock, those also I recognized in different countries but the network seems to be smaller.

TSA approved locks

TSA approved locks are not very expensive and are not hard to find. Whether you were shopping at Amazon, Walmart or Target, you can often buy them in packages so that you can purchase a handful of them at once.

Here are some of the recommended TSA approved locks:

SURE LOCK TSA Compatible Travel Luggage Locks

These type of locks are nice because they have a special indicator that will let you know if your luggage has been opened. If you see your bag has been opened and you don’t have a notice of inspection, something is not quite right. You can get a two pack of them for only $13 which is a great price.

Forge TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks

With the Forge TSA luggage lock, the TSA agent has to re-lock your suitcase to remove their key so it’s a great way to reduce the chances of your lock being left unlocked. These locks also have the indicator to show if your lock has been opened. Forge is also reportedly one of the more durable brands.

Master Lock 4697D

The Master Lock offers you the ability to input a four digit combination code, which offers a better level of security than the three wheel combination codes.

The three combination code means a bored thief need only make 1,000 guesses to unlock your bag but with four digits, that number jumps up to 10,000. It only requires you to memorize one more digit so you may as well make it harder on the thief.

Anvil TSA Approved Luggage Lock

The Anvil TSA Approved Luggage Lock is another four digit combination code but this type of lock comes with a hardened steel shackle. These should be more durable than a cable lock. They also offer you a comprehensive lifetime warranty.

Lewis N. Clark Mini Brass Square TSA Lock

If you are someone that likes to use a key to unlock your locks rather than being forced to remember a combination, then you also have some options.

Personally, keeping up with a luggage key lock is just one more thing to keep up with when traveling and I’d rather stick with a combination. Still, these are very durable locks with brass and steel construction. 

A word about luggage with built-in locks….

I’m not a huge fan of using the locks built in to luggage bags.

The reason is that if they malfunction and cannot be opened, agents at the airport may cause damage to the lock or your bag in order to open it.

This would likely be more common when traveling internationally if the airport you were at does not have the appropriate master key.

However, if you stick to using external locks, those can always be cut away without the risk of damaging your bag. Therefore, at least when flying internationally, I would try to avoid the built-in locks.

TSA approved locks FAQ

How much do TSA approved locks cost?

TSA approved locks are not expensive and can be purchased for under $10.

Can I use TSA approved locks when I travel to other countries?

Yes, many countries around the world accept TSA approved locks. You can search for the country of your airport here.

Can TSA approved locks be picked?

Yes, TSA approved locks can be picked with relative ease according to many lock pickers.

Are TSA approved locks safe?

TSA approved locks are not very safe when used outside of the airport because they can be picked and virtually anyone in the public can obtain a TSA master key capable of unlocking the lock.

Do you have to use a TSA approved lock?

No, you are not required to use a TSA approved lock. However, there is roughly a 5% chance your bag will be physically inspected and in that case your non-TSA lock will likely be destroyed.

Where can I purchase a TSA approved lock?

TSA approved locks can be found online at Amazon.com and at stores like Wal-Mart.

Final word

TSA approved locks can help add a layer of security to your luggage without causing you to waste money on locks that could be destroyed by TSA. They can also help keep your zippers from coming undone and allowing the contents of your luggage to spill out.

But beyond that, they have limited utility due to the fact that the master keys can easily be reproduced and because it’s so easy to access a zippered bag.

So feel free to use these locks when going through the airport and flying but my advice would be to stray away from using them when in the real world.

TSA Pat Down Rules & Procedures: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to pat downs, TSA doesn’t have the best reputation and it’s one of the reasons why it’s even earned the nickname of “Touching Sensitive Areas.”

But all jokes aside, getting a pat down by TSA can be a very uncomfortable experience.

The thing is, TSA agents are not free to do whatever they want when it comes to pat downs and they have to abide by some pretty specific rules and policies (that TSA has set).

If you are aware of these guidelines then you can call out TSA if you ever suspect an agent is failing to live up to the standards.

In this article, we will get into detail about the policies for TSA pat downs and provide you with some insight on how agents are required to conduct themselves when performing pat downs at security checkpoints.

The evolution of the TSA pat down

TSA pat downs have not always been done the same way.

A few years ago, a report came out that TSA agents had missed 95% of dangerous items during an internal investigation. That prompted a review of policies which led to some major changes for pat down searches.

In the past, a TSA agent could choose to perform a pat down in one of five different ways. They made the judgment call based on the circumstances and what they believed was required for the individual. But after that report came out, the policy changed.

A few years ago, TSA adopted a new pat down policy that introduced the standard pat down, which is what most passengers get and that is what we will focus on below.

Why you may get a TSA pat down at the airport

One thing about TSA pat downs is that they are often predictable.

There are a few different reasons why you might get a pat down at the airport.

Refusal to go through the metal detector or body scanner

One of the most common reasons you will get a pat down is if you refuse to go through the walk-through metal detector or the full body scanner. For some people going through a metal detector is not an option, while others just may prefer to not go through these.

But regardless of your reasoning for refusing the traditional screening methods, TSA will need to verify that you don’t have objects on you so it’s understandable that a pat down would be necessary.

The scanners detect a foreign object

You can also get a pat down if the screening methods show that you have an object (or anomaly) on you.

If you can simply pull a detected object out of your pocket and then go back through the screening without the alarm going off then you should not require a pat down.

But if the officer cannot determine why the alarm is going off then you may need a pat down or some other type of additional screening. For example, you could have an implant that sets off the alarm (see the section on medical devices below for more details).

Enhanced screening

If you have something like SSSS on your boarding pass, which requires enhanced screening, then that usually requires a pat down in addition to other screening methods like swabbing.

Sometimes this can happen on a random basis but other times your travel habits can trigger SSSS.

Behavior Detection Officers

Behavior Detection Officers look for certain behaviors that could indicate a passenger is up to something.

The efficacy of these officers is in question but if they found that someone was displaying signs of nervous behavior, they could select them for a pat down.

Travel document checker

A Travel Document Checker (TDC) could determine that there is something suspect about your travel documents and recommend that you undergo a pat down.

There also may be a random element to getting a pat down, although I was not able to find much information on random pat downs.

One thing to be aware of is that TSA Pre-Check does not exclude you from potentially getting a pat down.

What happens during a TSA pat down? (rules and procedures)

Based on 2018 training documents, we know a lot about the pat down process.

While a lot of that information is redacted, we know that during a TSA pat down you can expect to encounter the experience detailed below.

First, an agent will let you know that in order for you to get through security, you will have to submit to a pat down. You are not forced to undergo a pat down but you will not be allowed through security if you refuse.

At that point, you should be presented with the option of getting the pat down done in an open area nearby security or in a private area.

If you elect for a private screening, you can bring along one person with you who can act as a witness.

For travelers who are worried about being subject to abuse or mistreatment, they should be able to have the other person record the pat down session so that if anything happens there is video evidence.

Your carry-on luggage should also be brought to the private screening room, although you will not be able to access it until after the pat down is complete.

If you don’t go for the private screening room, your carry-on luggage will likely remain at the conveyor belt.

A TSA agent of the same gender will be performing the pat down and if you go to private screening route, a second TSA agent of the same gender should join the room as well.

According to their training, it’s possible that an agent of the same gender may not be available and TSA could attempt the pat down with an officer of the opposite gender.

As far as what gender is used, the gender is based on what the passenger identifies as.

If you want, you can request the TSA agent to wear a fresh pair of gloves although it appears that this may be a requirement now, especially after coronavirus.

The universal patdown method hits on pretty much every area of your body and before beginning the agent performing a pat down should explain the entire process to you.

To relieve some of the tension and awkwardness, as they go through the pat down they should alert you as to what part of your body is going to be searched next.

If you have any medical issues or have sensitive regions of your body, let the agent know and they should respond accordingly to avoid causing you pain or severe discomfort.

The agents are instructed to use the back of their hand for sensitive areas such as the breast, groin, and butt. However, TSA has mentioned that sometimes the front of the hand may be needed.

You should only be asked to remove outerwear such as jackets and your belt and shoes. Items should also be removed from your pockets .

Other clothing should remain on although there are reports in the past of TSA doing a strip search which does not seem to be in line with any TSA policy.

An agent could request for you to hold up your shirt so that they can check your waist line but if they request for you to remove an article of clothing that should be a big red flag.

When the inspection begins, you will be asked to stand with your legs shoulder width apart and raise your arms.

The agent should verify that you’re able to remain in this position for four minutes before beginning the search. If that’s too difficult for you then make sure that they provide you with a chair.

The pat down may start with your head. If you have a lot of hair or a poofy/tall hairstyle, your hair could also be subject to an inspection.

Next, they will move onto your collar and arms, including your underarms.

The pat down then may move to your sides and back with the agents hands applying firm pressure to potentially detect anything hidden under your garments.

When it comes to your waist line, they will feel around on the inside of your waistband in both the back and the front.

TSA agent doing pat down on waistline
Image via TSA.

They use an up-and-down and side-to-side motion when checking your rear end and groin area.

This is typically the most controversial aspect of a pat down and there are videos out there that look very suspect with some agents really overdoing it. (Link to video w/music.)

But generally, after a couple of swipes in either direction the officer should be able to tell if there is anything hidden.

TSA agent doing pat down on buttocks
Image via TSA.
TSA agent doing pat down on groin
Image via TSA.

The inside of your thighs and legs will also be rubbed with the officer likely to come very close to your groin area.

If you are wearing something like a dress or a kilt the officer will ask you to take one step forward and inspect each leg separately that way.

TSA agent doing pat down on thigh

If an item is found in your garment or on your person, a TSA agent may need to run that item through the x-ray machine or give it a close physical inspection.

If you have a prohibited item it will be handed over to a supervisor and you could potentially face a fine.

It’s possible that the agent may also want to do a swab of your hands, your clothing, and possibly some of the belongings and your luggage. This is typically a pretty quick process that they only take a minute or two if everything goes correctly.

What the officer is doing is looking for traces of explosives and they use a special machine that can pick up on different chemicals associated with explosives.

After all of this is done you can exit with your luggage, breathe a huge sigh of relief, and head out to your flight which you hopefully are not going to miss because of the delay.

The time it takes for a pat down will vary based on the available personnel and how things go during the search. You could be done in around 10 minutes but other times the process can drag out to even longer.

Will TSA perform a pat down on children?

For children 13 years and older, the standard pat down policy described above will apply, so teenagers are essentially subject to the same pat downs as adults.

However, for children 12 and under, TSA states that “officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening of a child and to resolve any alarms during screening.”

The child will not be involuntarily separated from the parents or guardians and the adult can even hold a child’s hand during the process.

Also, there must be an adult witness during the pat down which could include an aircraft operator escort in the case of an unaccompanied minor.

Reportedly, TSA modified the screening method so that children 12 and under have a reduced odds of getting a pat down.

Pat downs and medical implants/devices

If you have had a hip replacement or knee replacement, or have a metal plate, screws, metal rod, or other types of orthopedic implants, these could cause an issue when going through security screening

But there are different ways you can go about it.

First, some people may want to avoid going through the scanners. For these people, the pat down is inevitable and they will just have to adjust to it.

But if you have one of the medical devices or implants mentioned above, there is a chance you will set off the metal detector or something will alarm in the full body scanner when you go through.

This will often lead to a TSA agent utilizing a metal detector wand to verify that the location of the metal is only in one specific spot. If the agent is satisfied with your explanation and the findings, then you may be able to go on your way.

However, if the agent has some doubts or something does not line up then you may have to undergo a pat down.

Often times you can get a medical card from your doctor that explains your condition and that could help you avoid a pat down in some cases but not always.

X-ray of knee replacement

Final word

Getting a pat down from TSA can be embarrassing and extremely uncomfortable for some people. If there is any good news, it is that you can often anticipate when a pat down is going to happen so you can mentally prepare for it.

It will help to familiarize yourself with the rules and policies above because then you will be able to call out a TSA agent if they are not abiding by the guidelines!

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