8 TSA Agent-approved Holiday Travel Tips

Flying on a random Wednesday in October can be stressful. But flying in December — when air travel records are regularly broken — definitely isn’t for the faint of heart. Fortunately, there are ways you can set yourself up for success before braving the holiday travel madness, starting with the dreaded security line. And, who better to give us fliers the lowdown than TSA agents themselves? Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with two TSA officers from Denver International Airport, and one former TSA officer from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. All three were delighted to share their top tips for not setting off a metal detector, holding up the line, and worse, abandoning your precious belongings during this hectic time of year. 

In addition to tried-and-true suggestions like arriving at the airport at least 30 minutes earlier than you normally would to account for the larger passenger flow, they also urged the importance of listening to the TSA officer in your line; screening procedures are different depending on the equipment (including sniffer dogs) being used at that exact time. Instead of relying on muscle memory, pay close attention to the officer in front of you as they are the only ones who will know if you have to take off your shoes, remove your electronics, and so on.

In a perfect world, we could all teleport home for the holidays. But since we can’t, keep scrolling to find the eight common mistakes TSA agents see travelers make during the holiday season, and what they recommend doing instead. Pro tip: download the MyTSA App before your trip. It will show you if there are delays at your departure airport. And if you’re traveling with someone with disabilities or someone who requires extra assistance, check out TSA Cares. It’s a free service that isn’t utilized enough. 

Don’t pack: Too many liquids

Pack instead: A quart-sized bag 

Modengkongjian TSA-approved Toiletry Bag

Lead TSA Officer Daniela Guzman told me she sees a lot of passengers traveling with oversized toiletries during the holidays because they’ll be staying with family for an extended period of time. Still, everyone has to stick to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids (3 ounces of liquid, one quart-sized bag, and one bag per passenger). Ensure a smoother travel experience with this Amazon-favorite toiletry bag, which has more than 2,000 five-star ratings and fits the size requirement. It’s made with thick, transparent PVC and, unlike Ziploc bags, reusable. One shopper found they “ensure a hassle-free experience at security checkpoints.” 

Don’t pack: Liquids in bottles that hold more than 3.4 ounces 

Pack instead: Liquids in reusable TSA-approved bottles

Tocelffe 18-pack Travel Bottles Set

“Oversized liquids are the number one prohibited items we see over the holidays,” Lori Dankers, a TSA spokesperson, told me. She explained that even if your 6-ounce bottle only has 2 ounces of product left, it’s still on the naughty list. Instead, put your favorite products in these reusable travel-sized containers. This 18-piece set has more than 30,000 five-star ratings and comes with an assortment of containers including spray bottles, cream jars, and squeezable silicone bottles. It also features a funnel for refilling, a spatula for getting the last few drops of product out, and a brush for cleaning the containers. 

Convenience Kits Women’s 10-piece Grooming and Hygiene Travel Kit

If you don’t want the hassle of filling different containers, pick up this pre-packaged travel kit, which one shopper described as a “great value for the price.” The kit’s clear TSA-compliant reusable zippered case includes 10 essentials from recognizable brands like Colgate and Palmer’s. There’s a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, lotion, conditioner, shower cap, shampoo, and more. Personally, I think this kit is a fantastic stocking stuffer for procrastinators who pack at the last minute. It’s also the perfect gift for the person on your list who always forgets a toiletry, or two. 

Don’t pack: Gifts that are already wrapped

Pack instead: Gift bags or gift boxes

Parsup 8-piece Christmas Gift Bags Set

Guzman and her colleagues hate when they have to open wrapped presents — whether in a carry-on or checked luggage — in order to clear a package. “It feels horrible on our end because you took time to wrap that present and now we are taking time to unwrap it,” she explained. To prevent this timesuck, travel with gift bags instead to make inspection easier for TSA agents (and help you avoid re-wrapping the present). These gift bags from Amazon get serious points for being durable and holding up to all kinds of travel. Because they’re made of a high-quality non-woven fabric, they don’t tear and can be reused. Choose from eight color combinations, and shop them before they sell out; they’re so popular that more than 7,000 were purchased in the last month alone.  

Suncolor 12-pack Large Christmas Gift Boxes

Lead TSA officer Justin Thompson also recommends gift boxes, especially those that fold down when not in use. If you do decide to put presents in them before traveling, just make sure they’re still easy to open in case TSA needs to inspect them. This popular set includes 12 boxes featuring four different Christmas-inspired designs. They’re made of high-quality cardboard, and one shopper was pleased to discover that they don’t tear or “flop around,” even when stuffed to the max. 

Don’t wear: Cargo pants

Wear instead: Pants with minimal pockets and a belt bag

The Gym People Women’s Joggers

Everyone loves pants with pockets, but TSA agents would prefer not to see too many of them in the screening line. Pockets are tempting to fill, and travelers often forget to fully empty them, which means setting off the alarm and holding up the security line. “If you’re going to pick your outfit that day and you have the choice between regular pants and cargo pants, choose regular pants,” said Dankers. 

Shoppers love traveling in these top-rated, four-way stretch joggers with just two hand pockets. “They roll up well and don’t wrinkle that much,” reads one review titled “3 Colors Ordered.” Choose from more than 30 shades. Oh, and because they have an elastic waistband, there’s no need to wear a belt, which further speeds up screening. 

Pander Two-way Zipper Nylon Belt Bag

Where do you put everything you’d normally put in your pockets? This belt bag! It’s made of water-resistant, anti-abrasion nylon and features built-in mesh organization as well as two zippered pockets (with double zippers). Passport, wallet, phone, boarding pass, etc. — this bag fits all of the valuables you’ll need easy access to in the airport. Obviously, you’ll still have to remove it during screening, but removing one bag is a lot faster than emptying (and restuffing) five pockets. 

An Amazon’s Choice pick, this Pander bag was bought more than 10,000 times in the last month alone, and one cruisegoer wrote that it “made airport security and the entire cruise a breeze.”

Don’t pack: Power tools for Dad

Pack instead: Socks or clothes

Stance Crew Icon Socks 3-pack

“Around the holidays lots of people like to buy drills for their dads,” explained Thompson. “But power tools are not allowed in your carry-on.” Socks, however, are very scanner-friendly and are never confiscated. With a 4.8-star average rating from more than 4,200 ratings, these stylish Stance socks are sure to be a hit. They feature seamless toes and are designed for all-day comfort. They even feature built-in arch support. “They’re comfy, [have] no bunching and perfect stretch, and are true to size. They’re the only socks I wear daily,” according to one five-star reviewer, who also called them the “best socks on the planet.” 

Coofandy Mens Hooded Sweatshirt

Chiming in, Dankers said clothes are also a safe bet if you don’t want to have to worry about your bag being searched. Personally, I’m gifting my boyfriend this hoodie, which I’ll have in my carry-on while flying from Denver to Billings. It’s casual, but it can also be dressed up and it comes in dozens of colors with stylish details like ribbed cuffs and a waffle texture. Plus, the price is most certainly right; it’s on sale for $26. 

Don’t pack: Anything in your laptop case besides your laptop

Pack instead: A neoprene case with no pockets or sleeves 

Naukay Laptop Sleeve Case

When I asked Thompson if I needed to take my laptop out of its case for screening, he answered, “We don’t physically need to see it, but it can’t have anything on top of it or below it.” Based on his experience, simple neoprene cases, like this popular model from Amazon, are the easiest to screen. Despite being a no-frills style, it has three layers of protection, including a layer of “shockproof” material to guarantee safe travels for your valuable tech. “It’s a great protector of my laptop,” summed up one shopper, who said they travel with it thousands of miles each month. 

Don’t pack: A top-loading backpack

Pack instead: A front-loading (or suitcase-style) backpack

Lovevook 40L Travel Backpack

Frontloading, or suitcase-style, backpacks are a lot easier to unpack — especially if TSA is searching for a particular item — and repack than traditional top-loading backpacks. Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA agent who now shares travel tips via his newsletter Gate Access, personally travels with this suitcase-style pack with four compartments, including a padded compartment for a laptop, and three bonus packing cubes. 

Don’t pack: Holiday cards for TSA officers

Pack instead: Holiday cards for flight attendants

Papyrus Holiday Cards Boxed With Envelopes

“As federal employees, we’re not allowed to accept gifts,” said Thompson. If you want to show your appreciation for a TSA officer, the best thing you can do is fill out a compliment form at TSA.gov. It takes two minutes. Or, some screening areas have a QR code you can scan where you can leave a compliment. 

If you’re still feeling the Christmas spirit, pack mini holiday cards to give to your flight attendants or cabin crew, who can accept gifts. “I’ve gotten so many free perks by doing this,” said Harmon-Marshall, who loves this popular set from Papyrus. It comes with 20 cards (3.75 inch by 4.75 inch), 20 envelopes, and Papyrus’ signature hummingbird gold seal. 

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