TSA Offers Holiday Travel Tips
By: WROC-TV
Updated: December 18, 2012
Nearly 42 million passengers will fly in the days before and after Christmas, according to Airlines for America; and that means long security lines.
The Transportation Security Administration stopped in Rochester this morning to offer area travelers tips on how to travel smart this holiday.
They seem like very simple things but many travelers overlook them in the hustle and bustle of the season.
The first one begins with a simple plastic bag you can get at your local grocery store.
TSA administrators sugest you use it to hold your ID and boarding pass, to find them quickly for screeeners at the security gate.
The second tip is to fill up those big gray bins on the x-ray scanners with coats, shoes, and anything you might have in your pockets like your cell phone or keys.
The third tip is dont wrap your gifts. Anything in paper that agents think may be be dangerous will be unwrapped.
When it comes to banned items, many travelers still don't follow the rules.
Agents showed off some of the items confiscated over the last 30 days at the Rochester Airport.
They include things like boxcutters, toy guns and corkscrews.
TSA Spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said "It's interesting. People make a list of items before they pack, so now we're asking them to make a list you shouldn't pack, and those are the list of prohibited items. So when in doubt check it out."
You can find out what you can and can't bring by downloading the "My TSA" app on your smartphone, or by visiting this website.
They have feature that allows you to type in anything you have a question about and it will tell you if you can carry it on, check it or just leave it at home.
If you're traveling by air this year there are 2 changes to the tsa rules and regulations.
If you're traveling with someone under the age of 12 or over the age of 75, they do not have to take their shoes off.
If you're a snow globe collector, any smaller than a tennis ball are now allowed in your carry on bag.
