As millions travel throughout airports this holiday season, it’s imperative to pack diligently to avoid being picked out of the dreaded TSA security line.
As per usual, exercise caution when packing liquids and foods for transport. Your grandma’s traditional fruitcake? Safe to put in your carry on. As are stuffing, casseroles, sweets and frozen, cooked or uncooked meats.
Your famous holiday cranberry sauce? Must be packed. Any liquids (such as gravy, alcohol, dips, etc.) over 3.4 oz must be put in your checked luggage.)
When in doubt if your food can fly as a carry-on, put it in your checked luggage to avoid possibly having to throw it away at security. “If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it,” it’s not eligible for carry-on.
For those bringing presents to their intended destination, the TSA advises individuals to not wrap their gift before packing it in either their carry-on or checked luggage. If an item gets flagged by security, the TSA will have to unwrap your gift to see what lies beneath the paper. This risks you having your carefully wrapped materials no longer able to be used and even slowing you down on your way to your flight. If you must wrap a gift before traveling, the TSA advises that you use a gift bag for easy access if needed.
Given the current government shutdown, airline personnel are stressing that individuals give themselves plenty of time to arrive at the airport, go through security and find their gate. With the Federal Aviation Administration also recently restricting flight capacity, thousands of flights have been canceled. While the government shutdown may be ending soon, the effects of it are likely to stretch into the Thanksgiving holiday. Between the limited staff and the influx of holiday travelers, the airport can get chaotic quickly.
Plan accordingly, give yourself more time than you usually would carve out for the airport and continue to check your flight status with your airline for the latest updates.
