8 TSA Carry-on Backpack Packing Mistakes

Nobody ever wants to be that person holding up the airport security line. All too often, though, a half-drunk water bottle we forgot about, an overstuffed bag, or a forgotten personal safety device on a keychain will get us pulled over (and sometimes, cause us an additional screening). This mistake not only holds up your travel plans, but also delays passengers behind you as TSA officers search through your carry-on. The stress can turn an already hectic travel day into a nightmare, but luckily, there are a few easy fixes to some of the most common carry-on backpack packing mistakes we all tend to make at a TSA screening. 

To assure you, the majority of these mistakes are quick fixes that you wouldn’t necessarily think about without insider intel. That’s why we checked in with two former TSA agents to learn more about their dos and don’ts for a seamless TSA experience. Further, their solutions are relatively affordable, so you can make the switch sooner rather than later. Below, browse their eight tips, from traveling with a more organized backpack to using a dedicated jewelry organizer. 

Mistake: Packing personal safety devices

Solution: Store them in a lightweight, checked bag

As a solo traveler, it’s tempting to bring my portable safety devices with me at all times, but as this former TSA agent shares, these items should never be packed in your carry-on. Self-defense items such as mace, kitty claws, or brass knuckles will be detected and surely require additional screening. This doesn’t mean you can’t travel with personal safety devices—just be sure to secure them in your checked bag.

But even then, there are restrictions: Per TSA guidelines, one 4-ounce container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage “provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge.” Further, since your keys are usually in your purse or carry-on backpack, Vale recommends double-checking your keychain before leaving for the airport to make sure these safety devices are removed to save time before you get there.

Mistake: Packing too many liquids

Solution: A TSA-approved quart-size bag

If you’re not a frequent traveler, it might be easy to overpack liquids—even if they’re packed in TSA-approved 3.4-ounce mini bottles. “Whatever can fit inside of a quart-size bag, that’s all I’m packing,” says Vale, who advises how some officers can be “really, really technical” with the limit and pull your bag to the side. This not only wastes time, but it’s a waste of money if they end up throwing away your pricey toiletries. The best way to ensure you’re packing under the limit is to use a TSA-approved clear bag that mimics their quart-sized Ziploc bags, so if you do come across a more technical agent, you can rest assured that all your liquids will fit when transferred to the designated bag.

Mistake: Overstuffing your backpack

Solution: Pack a smaller tote

Lugging a heavy, overstuffed backpack through the airport is no fun for anyone, including the person in front of or behind you at the TSA screening. “Going through TSA is a team effort,” says Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA Agent now behind Gate Access. “The person in front of you decides how fast or slow your process goes.” So when an individual’s bag is overstuffed so they can’t zip it to go through the machine, or it’s banging against your bin as you’re trying to get organized, it can cause delays all around. Only pack the necessities in a compact carry-on backpack or small duffel bag and check the rest. 

Mistake: Packing jewelry incorrectly

Solution: Use a travel-sized jewelry box

“When I was working at TSA, we had bets to see which celebrity’s jewelry was real or fake,” says Harmon-Marshall. How can the agents tell? “When you travel with authentic jewelry, the X-ray machine can’t see through it, and it’s blocking all the other items that are under it, so your jewelry bag will get pulled by a TSA officer, and they must physically look through it,” he explains. So if travelers want to save time, they should pack their jewelry in a dedicated jewelry case and place it close to the top of their backpack, where they can easily remove it and place it in a bin by itself. “This will save so much time because the TSA officer no longer has to dig through the main bag to find the jewelry bag,” says Harmon-Marshall. And for any travelers who are uncomfortable with showing their jewelry case, they can request a private screening, which is available at all TSA security checkpoints.

Mistake: Forgetting about your money belt or crossbody bag

Solution: Rely on a carry-on backpack or suitcase with exterior pockets

When you’re tired and stressed, it’s easy to forget about loose change or your AirPods in your pocket, so many people carry a crossbody bag to help organize themselves at the airport. Yet, all too often, travelers also forget to remove these during screening, says Harmon-Marshall. “When it happens, sometimes they’re asked to go back out and put it on the X-ray, but most times the officer would just check it right there,” he says. But either result takes up time. It’s best to invest in a carry-on backpack or roller bag with a front pocket you can easily stash either your money belt, cross-body bag, or small purse in, as seeing that front pocket will become a reminder to remove it and keep the security process swift.

Mistake: A messy, unorganized carry-on bag

Solution: Use packing cubes

Even if you do everything right, sometimes you’ll get pulled over for a random or additional screening, which is all part of the TSA process. In this case, the TSA officer will open and sort through your bag—and if it’s a messy or unorganized bag, it can take a while to repack it, advises Harmon-Marshall. Packing cubes can help organize your bag so nothing falls out and you’re not left flustered trying to rezip your bag after a thorough search. Not to mention, they can save you time during the actual additional screening, as Harmon-Marshall says packing cubes “make it easy to pinpoint the area that needs to be searched quickly.”

Mistake: Not emptying your reusable water bottle

Solution: Buy a clear bottle so it’s top of mind

As someone who gets anxious when my water bottle is empty, I’ve been known to get pulled over at TSA after having accidentally left a half-bottle full. The trouble with my opaque bottles is that I’m never certain they are fully empty, so a clear water bottle can be so much more helpful. Harmon-Marshall says full water bottles are something he sees all the time. And depending on what airport you’re at, the agent may send you back to the beginning of the security line, which can turn into more than just a few minutes’ delay. The clear water bottle allows you to double- and triple-check that it’s empty before putting your bag through the X-ray machine.

Mistake: Leaving your laptop in a sleeve

Solution: Use a carry-on backpack with a built-in laptop compartment

If you’re asked to remove your laptop from your bag, you usually need to remove it from the laptop case or sleeve, which can add a few extra minutes to your security routine. Harmon-Marshall recommends traveling with a carry-on backpack that already has a built-in, padded laptop compartment so that it’s safe when it’s in the bag, but you don’t need to waste time with the added step of removing it from a case when putting it in the bin. This backpack has over 92,000 five-star reviews at Amazon for its quality, storage capacity, and minimalist aesthetic.

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