AIRPORT SECURITY TIPS

Travelers age 18 and older generally need an acceptable government-issued photo ID for domestic air travel. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license, passport, passport card, military ID, permanent resident card, or eligible trusted traveler card may be accepted.

International travelers should keep their passport and any required visa or transit documents readily accessible.

Children younger than 18 generally do not need to present identification when traveling domestically with an adult. However, airlines may have separate documentation requirements for minors, especially when a child travels alone or internationally.

You may still be permitted to travel after completing an identity verification process. Security officers may ask additional questions, review other identifying information, and require additional screening.

Arrive as early as possible because the process may take additional time, and approval is not guaranteed.

Most carry-on liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols must be packed in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. The containers must fit inside one clear, quart-size, resealable bag, with one liquids bag permitted per traveler.

Generally, no. The size printed on the container determines whether it complies with the carry-on liquids rule. An 8-ounce bottle is usually not permitted through standard screening even when it contains only a small amount of liquid.

Medically necessary liquids, gels, creams, and aerosols may generally be carried in reasonable quantities greater than 3.4 ounces. Tell the security officer about these items before screening and keep them separate from your regular toiletries.

Medical items may receive additional inspection or testing.

Needles, syringes, injection pens, and related supplies may generally be carried when used with required medication. Pack them securely with the medication, protect sharp points, and tell the officer about them before screening begins.

Most solid foods are permitted in carry-on baggage. Sandwiches, baked goods, chips, crackers, fruit, and other solid snacks are commonly allowed, although officers may ask you to remove food for separate screening.

Liquid, creamy, spreadable, or gel-like foods generally must follow the carry-on liquids rule unless an exception applies.

Yes. Reusable water bottles may generally pass through security when they are completely empty. Refill the bottle at a water station after entering the secure area of the airport.

At many standard checkpoints, laptops and other large electronics must be removed and placed flat in a screening bin. Some airports use newer equipment that allows electronics to remain inside the bag.

Listen to the instructions given in your specific lane before removing anything.

Power banks, portable chargers, and spare lithium batteries should be packed in carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage. Protect exposed terminals from contact with keys, coins, or other metal objects.

Airlines may impose additional size or watt-hour restrictions.

Standard screening may require travelers to remove shoes, belts, and jackets. Travelers using an eligible TSA PreCheck lane may generally keep certain items on unless instructed otherwise.

Procedures may vary by airport and screening equipment.

Children age 12 and younger may generally keep their shoes, light jackets, and headwear on during screening. Officers may provide different instructions if additional screening is required.

Children must generally be removed from strollers and carriers before screening. Strollers, car seats, booster seats, carriers, and related equipment must also be screened.

Equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine may receive a separate physical inspection.

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, baby food, and related cooling supplies may generally be carried in reasonable quantities greater than the normal liquids limit. Tell the officer about them before screening and keep them accessible for inspection.

Tell the officer whether you can stand, walk, transfer, or remain with your mobility device. Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, crutches, and similar devices must be screened, but procedures can be adapted to the traveler's abilities and safety needs.

Yes. Travelers may request private screening when discussing or inspecting medical devices, prosthetics, supplies, clothing, or sensitive areas. You may also ask whether a companion can be present and request an explanation before each screening step.

TSA Cares provides information and screening assistance for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances. Travelers may contact the program before departure to ask questions or request support at the checkpoint.

Airline services such as wheelchair transportation, boarding help, and seating assistance should be arranged separately with the airline.

No. Expedited screening is not guaranteed for every traveler, flight, or airport. The TSA PreCheck indicator must appear on the current boarding pass, and travelers may still be directed to standard or additional screening.

Common causes include an incorrectly entered Known Traveler Number, a name mismatch, incomplete reservation information, or an itinerary involving a nonparticipating airline.

Review your reservation and contact the airline before entering the security line when the indicator is unexpectedly missing.

No. International screening procedures may differ for liquids, electronics, clothing, medications, food, and prohibited items. Review the requirements for every departure and connecting airport on your itinerary.

Packing according to the strictest airport on the itinerary can help prevent problems during a connection.

Possibly. Repeat screening depends on the airport layout, countries involved, customs and immigration procedures, terminal changes, and whether passengers remain inside a secure transit area.

Allow extra connection time when immigration, baggage collection, customs, bag recheck, and security may all be required.

Depending on the item and the airport, you may be able to place it in checked baggage, return it to a vehicle, give it to someone who is not traveling, or surrender it.

Leaving the checkpoint may require you to complete screening again, so consider your departure time before choosing an option.

Arrival needs vary by airport, airline, destination, season, and whether you are checking baggage. Follow your airline's recommendation and allow extra time during holidays, peak travel periods, international departures, or when traveling with children, medical equipment, or special assistance needs.