RENO, Nevada – Encouraging passengers to “Know Before You Go,” the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provided tips for those who are planning to depart Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) during the upcoming holiday season.
“TSA is sharing tips now to prepare those who will be traveling during the end-of-the-year holiday season. Our hope is these tips will help passengers pack like a pro by reminding them of the rules surrounding security screening,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Nevada Karen Burke. “One of the most important things all travelers should understand is what can be packed in carry-on luggage and what needs to be placed in checked baggage. That’s why we are talking about this today.”
The official end-of-the-year holiday travel season is projected to start around Friday, December 15 and continue through Tuesday, January 2. With higher than normal passenger volumes during this period, the number one tip for travelers is to arrive at the airport early and prepared.
The busiest times at RNO’s security checkpoints are 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Due to several flights that depart in the late afternoon, travelers can expect an increase in the number of people who need to be screened between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
TSA strives to get travelers through the general security screening process in less than 30 minutes and through TSA PreCheck® screening in less than 10 minutes.
The most common thing that slows down screening at a TSA checkpoint is having a prohibited item in a carry-on bag. This will guarantee that a TSA officer has to conduct a bag check, slowing the process down for the traveler as well as reducing the overall efficiency of the screening process.
TSA recommends that travelers be aware of the contents of each carry-on bag and ensure that everything packed inside is permitted to be carried onto a flight. The best way to pack for a trip is to fully unpack the bag before you pack it.
By starting with an empty bag, the traveler knows with certainty what is in the bag and ensures that there is nothing prohibited in a side pouch, zippered pocket or in the bottom of a bag. This goes for backpacks, roller bags, handbags, messenger bags, shoulder bags, laptop bags, duffle bags and any other type of carry-on.
Two of the most common prohibited items TSA officers encounter are liquids, gels and aerosols in excess of 3.4 ounces and knives. Since 2006, TSA has limited the amount of liquids, gel and aerosols a traveler can bring onboard an aircraft to 3.4 ounces, which is equivalent to 100 ml. Any liquid in a quantity greater than 3.4 ounces such as lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock and hair gel should be placed in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must travel with them, they must be placed in your checked bag.
TSA offers five convenient ways to find out if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither.
- “What Can I Bring?” feature on TSA.gov. In the upper right-hand corner of TSA.gov, you will see the “What Can I Bring?” link. Enter the name of the item and it will respond with how the item should be travel.
- Use the MyTSA app. TSA has a free downloadable app called MyTSA that has a quick search function that lets you know which items you can bring with you through the checkpoint and onto the airplane. Not only that, but the app also enables travelers to check the delay information at their airports, check how busy the airport is likely to be on a specific day and time of travel based on historical data and it lets people know which airports and airlines support TSA PreCheck®.
- Pose a question via X. TSA is very active on social media and has a popular account on X where travelers can send their questions to @AskTSA. Type in the name of the item or send in a photo of the item to @AskTSA to inquire if the item can be packed in a carry-on or should be placed in a checked bag.
- Pose a question via Facebook. TSA’s allows travelers to ask a question or send in a photo via Facebook Messenger for advice on how to travel with specific items.
- Get help via text message. Travelers can send in a question to TSA via text message. Text “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872) to inquire how an item should be packed and travel with you.
When packing a carry-on, please be sure to do so neatly. Cluttered bags often lead to a bag check since the TSA officer is unable to get a clear view of the contents of the bag on the X-ray screen. Please coil electronic charging and other cords and ensure your travel-size liquids, gels and aerosols (LGAs) are placed in a single, quart-sized bag.
If going through a standard screening lane, please place your electronics larger than a cell phone (i.e., laptops, tablet, gaming consoles, etc.) and bag of LGAs on top of the contents of the bag so they can be quickly accessed during the checkpoint screening process and placed in a bin. Some of TSA’s X-ray units allow for travelers to leave these items in their carry-on, so please listen to the specific advisements given by TSA officers working near the X-ray unit.
Finally, during the screening process in the security checkpoint, travelers are reminded to remove items from their pockets such as phones, keys or loose change. These items should be secure in their carry-on bags instead of placing them in bins. This simple step will prevent items from being left behind and ending up in the local Lost and Found.