Airports are going to be very busy as the summer travel season approaches. But don’t worry; TSA has some important tips for you that would incredibly assist you in avoiding getting held up at security and missing your flight.
The officials at the Transportation Security Administration have used their knowledge, experience, and skills to come up with six summer travel tips that any traveler must follow for a smooth journey. From joining TSA PreCheck to following the TSA checklist, here are six things you must do.
1. The first step is to ensure you enter the correct information about yourself while booking your air ticket online. You must enter your full name as it appears on your ID. Avoid using your nicknames.
2. TSA PreCheck is the best thing you can enroll yourself in if you are a frequent traveler. It’s basically an advanced security process for travelers who are familiar with the screening. Minors aged 17 and under can also enter the TSA PreCheck lane if they are traveling under a parent’s reservation and the parent is present. The best thing about this advanced screening is that you can leave your shoes, belt, outerwear jacket, and anything else on.
3. Go for the myTSA app. It’s free, simple, and essential. You can get information about the estimated wait time at a certain checkpoint and check out the restricted and allowed items list. You can also get info about flight delays and whether the TSA PreCheck lane is open.
4. TSA recommends that you should wear shoes that are easy to remove when you go through the general screening process. Also, don’t forget to wear socks, nobody wants to see your feet.
5. In case if you have to wait in line for some time, you should use it wisely. You could empty your pockets and put the items into your carry-on. Remember to remove those breath mints or any other non-metallic items as well. These could help you avoid pat-downs, something neither the passenger or the officers like.
6. Lastly, do yourself a favor and put your mobile phone inside your carry-on bag. Don’t put it in a bin at the checkpoint, where others have placed their shoes.
Apart from these six dos, TSA also shared some don’ts. Some of these might sound bizarre, but given what the officers witness at the office on a daily basis, these don’ts are necessary. The agency firmly prohibits joking about having explosives that could lead you to serious travel.
Fighting or yelling at our officers doesn’t get you to your destination faster. It can, however, lead to fines or possible arrest.
Our team is proud to serve the public & we’re here to keep you safe. Unruly behavior will not be tolerated. Let’s all make travel smoother together. pic.twitter.com/nSnqiEhozs
— TSA (@TSA) May 20, 2025
Who all are putting their child or pet through an X-ray unit? It is seriously harmful to them. TSA firmly suggests you carry them through the metal detector. Be cautious while putting small items through the X-ray unit. Never directly put it on the belt. Instead, find a bin, a bowl, or better yet, your own carry-on and put them inside.
The rest of the don’ts are very simple, such as not carrying your water bottle, not bringing your gun to the security checkpoint, or maintaining simple hygiene, like avoiding holding your ID by mouth as it would be touched by others during security.
