PITTSBURGH, Pa.— Spring travel season extends through April and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport who typically share their favorite travel tips with family and friends have compiled a short list of these tips that they also want to share with the public.
“Our officers work with passengers every day and that has given them an insider’s view of what travelers can do to ensure a smooth security screening process,” says Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “They are eager to share their observations with the public to help passengers transit through the checkpoint efficiently.”
“Additionally, TSA officers are so keenly attuned to security operations and the everyday ebb and flow at a security checkpoint that they have identified a few things that they never do when they are passengers,” Key-Turner said.
Six tips that TSA officers share with family and close friends
- When purchasing a ticket online, enter your full name as it appears on your ID. Do not enter your nick-name, even if it’s what your besties use. The name on your boarding pass should match the name on your ID.
- Enroll in TSA PreCheck®. It is hands-down the best way to travel through a security checkpoint because you can leave on your shoes, belt and light outerwear jacket. It’s typically the lane with travelers who are most familiar with the screening process and so the lane moves quickly.
- Download the free myTSA app. The app has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that will let you know where to pack an item. It will let you know the estimated wait time at a checkpoint. It lets you know if there are flight delays at your airport; and it will let you know if the TSA PreCheck lane is open.
- Wear shoes that are easy to remove and put back on. Shoes or that lace up your calf will slow you down. Slip-on shoes are best. And do yourself a favor, wear socks!
- If you find yourself in a checkpoint line, use that time wisely. Remove all items from your pockets and place them into your carry-on bag. Empty your pockets completely. That means everything, even non-metallic items from tissues to breath mints. This helps avoid pat-downs. We know that travelers don’t like to receive pat-downs. TSA officers aren’t too keen on needing to conduct pat-downs either.
Place your mobile phone inside your carry-on bag at the checkpoint. Don’t put it in a bin where other people have placed their shoes. You don’t want to put your phone in a bin and then hold it up to your face. Yuck