{"id":41270,"date":"2015-12-16T13:02:07","date_gmt":"2015-12-16T19:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=41270"},"modified":"2018-02-27T18:07:14","modified_gmt":"2018-02-28T00:07:14","slug":"8-rules-for-getting-your-holiday-gifts-through-tsa-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/8-rules-for-getting-your-holiday-gifts-through-tsa-security\/","title":{"rendered":"8 rules for getting your holiday gifts through airport security"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flying home for the holidays involves bringing along packages and maintaining some tidings of good cheer. Yet before you pack your bag with presents and goodies, it\u2019s best to check your list against TSA requirements<\/a>. Here are some tips from TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein on what preparations to make far (la-la-la-a) before heading to the airport.<\/p>\n

\"How

Bag it! | Credit: Courtesy of TSA<\/p><\/div>\n

1. Don\u2019t wrap your gifts beforehand.
\n<\/strong>Before jetting off, hold off on giftwrapping\u2014especially if you\u2019re bringing the presents in your bags. If a TSA officer can\u2019t tell what an item is through the X-ray image, it has to be pulled out of the carry-on and checked. So even if your gift has been nicely covered up in wrapping paper, it would need to be opened to see what\u2019s inside. Instead, Farbstein recommends putting that present inside a gift bag with tissue paper or a decorated gift box that opens and closes easily.<\/p>\n

2. Pack your bag nicely.<\/strong>
\nPut some effort into organizing carry-on items carefully. Folded items and tidied up cords of electronic devices help to make it easier for a TSA official to view what\u2019s in your bag as it goes through the scanner\u2014and clearing inspection. \u201cIt\u2019s always faster to screen items if you pack neatly,\u201d says Farbstein. Also since devices such as laptops need to be taken out and put your screening separately, it\u2019s a time-saver.<\/p>\n

Related: 8 great gifts for every kind of traveler.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

3. With jams or jellies, the 3-1-1 rule applies.<\/strong>
\nIf you want to pack that specialty spread that you found at a holiday market in your carryon, you have to make it fits with TSA\u2019s 3-1-1 rule. Under this rule, jams, jellies and preserves are identified as liquids or gels that must be no larger than 3.4 ounces or less, and stored in a 1 quart\/ clear zip-top bag. If you\u2019re not sure if your edible is so jelly, follow Farbstein\u2019s advice: \u201cIf you can spread it, spill it, pump it, or pour it, it\u2019s a gel.\u201d So even if you want to bring cranberry sauce to your destination\u2019s table, it\u2019s best to stick with a canned version inside your checked-in bag.<\/p>\n

\"How

Larger snow globes are a no go. | Credit: Courtesy of TSA<\/p><\/div>\n

4. Even snow globes have to be small.<\/strong>
\nEven this shaky bauble of joy and wonder has to be a small one. Your holiday sphere must only be up to 3.4 ounces in size and contain clear liquid. In comparison, Farbstein said these dimensions are approximately the size of a tennis ball. Plus, the entire snow globe has completely fit inside its own quart-sized, resealable bag. If it\u2019s bigger, it has to be put inside checked baggage.<\/p>\n

5. Box up your cake or pie<\/strong>
\nDesserts can travel, but they come with restrictions. Cakes, cupcakes, pies, and our favorite, gingerbread, are permitted as carry-on items, but they could also require additional screening (but without a fork). Baked goods can be placed in bakery style boxes or plastic \u201cclam-shell\u201d type containers, but make sure they\u2019re secured to avoid potential leaks or spillage during screening.<\/p>\n

\"Can't

NOT real shot gun shells. Also not funny, duh. | Credit: Courtesy of TSA<\/p><\/div>\n

6. Check on your toys<\/strong>
\nWhether they\u2019re magnetic, electronic, or motorized, most toys can be transported in carry-on or checked baggage. However if they\u2019re going on board with you, it\u2019s recommended that you check with your specific airline to confirm that your toy will fit in an overhead in or under the seat with no problems. Toys that replicate firearms automatically have to go into checked-in. And if you\u2019ve bought a hoverboard, one of the hottest gifts for 2015, you should check with your airline. Major carriers such as Southwest<\/a>, Delta<\/a>, United<\/a>, American<\/a> and JetBlue<\/a> have banned them completely due to safety concerns over the scooters\u2019 lithium-ion batteries catching fire. So maybe opt for that Star Wars plastic light saber instead.<\/p>\n

7. Wrap up your holiday lights<\/strong>
\nYes, even holiday decorations and strings of lights are permitted as check-in or carryon, but it\u2019s best to keep the cords all wrapped up. Also note, it\u2019s best if your lights reflect the holiday spirit in a good way. Farbstein noted that once at a security checkpoint at Newark, a passenger had a \u201cJingle Bells Shotgun Shells\u201d item that was prohibited. (Yes, the item\u2019s packaging actually said \u201creal shotgun shells.\u201d)<\/p>\n

Related: All is bright – these are the best towns for Christmas.<\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n

8. Have other Q’s? Go online <\/strong>
\nTake out the guesswork about your questions by visiting TSA\u2019s website<\/a>. In its top right corner, it lists the question \u201cWhen I fly can I bring my\u2026\u201d with a search bag where you can type in your entry. And arrive early.<\/p>\n

\"discount<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here what TSA’s looking for.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":164,"featured_media":41283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1704,5,33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-holiday-vacations-christmas-travel-ideas","category-family-travel","category-top-10-lists"],"acf":{"api_active":null,"api_title":null,"api_excerpt":null,"api_featured_image":null,"api_lob":null},"posts_api_cpm_point":[{"name":"","description":"","thumbnail":"","address":"United States","latitude":"37.09024","longitude":"-95.71289100000001","icon":"\/images\/icons\/marker.png"}],"yoast_head":"\n8 rules for getting your holiday gifts through airport security | Orbitz<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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