TSA Summer Travel Tips To Pass Through BWI, Other Airports

MARYLAND — As summer officially begins, many Marylanders will pass through BWI Airport to reach their vacation spot. There are a few things you can do to make sure your trip is a smooth one, with special tips from the Transportation Security Administration.

“Travelers play a big part in ensuring a smooth and efficient security checkpoint screening experience,” said Chris Murgia, TSA’s federal security director for Maryland, in a news release. “Advance planning and packing properly are keys to a smooth security checkpoint experience. It starts with knowing what you should and should not pack in a carry-on bag.”

If you do plan to fly, here are some ways to make it a less stressful experience.

The top travel tips from TSA:

1. Arrive at the airport early and expect a long line

2. While standing in a checkpoint line, remove items from pockets such as wallets, keys, lip balm, tissues and cell phones and place them into carry-on bags. Have your ID and boarding passes in hand prior to walking up to the travel document checking podium.

3. Enroll in TSA PreCheck

4. Know what can and cannot go in a carry-on bag from firearms to oversize liquids to avoid delays. Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule:

• 3.4 ounces or less per container
• 1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag (all liquids must fit in bag)
• 1 bag per passenger

5. Any travelers or families of passengers with disabilities or medical conditions can call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior for information on security procedures.

Carry-on bags have been a source of some frustration at the security checkpoint, Murgia said, when passengers do not check to see what is permitted and what's not.

“We have seen too many prohibited items in carry-on bags,” Murgia said. “Common items include knives and tools larger than 7-inches long. Large tools can be used as bludgeoning weapons, which is why we encourage travelers to pack them in checked bags. As for the knives, we see all types — butter knives, folding knives, tactical fighting knives, fishing knives, hunting knives, Boy Scout knives, throwing knives, credit card knives, Swiss Army knives, keychain knives, cake knives, cleavers and even machetes. If you want to travel with your knife, please pack it in your checked bag.”

Some airlines — including JetBlue and Alaskan Airways — have reduced their flights in order to cope with a labor shortage, according to The Wall Street Journal. American Airlines said it's prepared for the increased demand following a hiring spree that's lasted months, the Journal reported. More than 5,000 flights were canceled nationwide over the Father’s Day and Juneteenth holiday weekend due to poor weather and a staffing shortage, The Wall Street Journal said.

Check out TSA's "What Can I Bring" page for more information on how to pack.