TSA prepared for Christmas, Hanukkah and end of year travel out of the Baltimore area

TSA officers at BWI Airport discuss which items can go in a carry-on bag and which should go into a checked bag. (TSA photo)

LINTHICUM, Md.-- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for holiday travelers who are planning to fly out of Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport during the Christmas, Hanukkah and new year holidays as passenger volume is expected to increase during the end-of-year travel period.

TSA has seen record numbers of travelers this year and this holiday season is expected to be one of the busiest on record.

"Planning ahead and packing food and gifts properly for the security screening process can simplify the screening process and ease a passenger's travel experience at the airport," said Christopher Murgia, TSA's Federal Security Director for Maryland. "That's why it is important to know what items can be packed in carry-on and/or checked baggage before arriving at the airport."

The most common thing that slows down a traveler at a TSA checkpoint is having a prohibited item in a carry-on bag, which is why it is important for travelers to "Know Before You Go" by knowing the contents of their carry-on bags and checked bags to ensure that everything that they pack is permitted to be carried onto a flight or needs to go into a checked bag.

"We are seeing a lot of travelers arrive at our checkpoints with beverages and a variety of knives," Murgia said. "It's important to remember that liquids, gels, aerosols and spreadables are limited to 3.4 ounces in one clear quart-sized bag in carry-on bags. Finish that bottle of water, energy drink or cup of coffee before you get to the checkpoint. Pack the larger shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock and hair gel in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must travel with a knife, please pack it in your checked bag.

"We know that passengers will be traveling with gifts, and that's okay," Murgia said. "However, we strongly recommend that instead of wrapping gifts with paper and tape that the gifts be placed in gift bags or gift boxes with tissue paper. That way, if the item triggers an alarm, our officers can easily resolve the alarm without needing to unwrap the gift."

As for the popular baked goods that people travel with at this time of year, cakes, cookies, pies, fruitcake and brownies and other solid food items are permitted through the security checkpoint. However, some holiday foods such as preserves, maple syrup, champagne and egg nog need to be packed in a checked bag.

When a traveler is ready to pack for a trip TSA recommends starting with an empty bag, so the passenger knows with certainty what they have inside and they know that there is nothing prohibited in a side pouch, zippered pocket or in the bottom of a bag. That goes for backpacks, roller bags, handbags, messenger bags, shoulder bags, laptop bags, duffle bags and any other carry-on bag or luggage.

Here are some helpful holiday travel tips.

Tip #1: Get to the airport early

Travelers should arrive a minimum of two hours before their scheduled domestic flights and three hours before scheduled international flights.

If you find yourself waiting in a security checkpoint lane, use that time to your advantage. That's the ideal time to remove items from your pockets and place them into a carry-on bag. It's also the time to get out your ID and boarding pass so you're not fumbling in your wallet for your ID when you step up to the TSA travel document checking podium.

Tip #2: Know before you go

Travelers need to know what can and cannot go in their carry-on bag, from firearms to oversize liquids. Passengers will spend more time in the security checkpoint if their carry-on items trigger an alarm because it results in TSA's need to resolve the alarm by opening the carry-on bag to determine what triggered the alarm.

The most common item that travelers bring to the checkpoint that is not permitted through the screening process are liquids, gels and aerosols that are larger than the acceptable limit. Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols that are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller through a checkpoint if those items fit into a one quart-sized, resealable bag. This is known as the 3-1-1 bag. Common travel items that must comply with the liquids ruleinclude toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, sun block, body spray, mouthwash and lotions. Containers of liquids, gels and aerosols that are larger can be transported in checked baggage. This includes snow globes, which are popular at this time of the year.

Gift bags and gift boxes are strongly preferred over wrapped gifts. (TSA photo)

TSA officers also are seeing travelers arrive at the checkpoint with bottles of water, juice, energy drinks, coffee and soda. TSA officers will give travelers the choice to exit the security checkpoint to drink their beverages in the terminal or allow the officer to dispose of it. Travelers may bring empty containers such as a water bottle or insulated container through checkpoints and fill them after passing through the checkpoint.

Tip #3: Use TSA's tools for your resources

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy "What can I bring?" featurethat allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872).

Tip #4: Traveling with gifts

This is the time of year that passengers travel with gifts. TSA recommends packing gifts in gift bags or boxes instead of wrapping them because if a gift triggers an alarm, it will need to be opened to resolve the alarm. Wrapped presents that trigger an alarm will need the gift wrap removed, but if the gift is in a bag or a box, it is much easier for TSA to look at the item to resolve the alarm.

Tip #5: Traveling with food

Individuals often like to travel with food items during the holiday season. Foods may be transported on flights. Solid food items like fruitcake, candy canes and chocolates are solids and may be transported in a carry-on bag. However, liquids and spreadable foods such as egg nog, wine, champagne, maple syrup and preserves are not solid and should be packed in checked bags. Here's a helpful tip: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it and it is larger than 3.4 ounces, it needs to be packed in a checked bag.