A table-top display of prohibited items that travelers have surrendered at the Lehigh Valley International Airport checkpoint. (TSA photo)
ALLENTOWN, Pa.—Travelers flying out of Lehigh Valley International Airport are packing prohibited items in their carry-on bags when most of those items should be packed in a checked bag. Prohibited items trigger an alarm on the checkpoint X-ray monitor, which requires Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to open those carry-on bags to resolve the alarm, which slows down the checkpoint.
The most common prohibited items that people bring to checkpoints are liquids larger than the 3.4-ounce limit such as water bottles, energy drinks, juice and coffee; and knives of all sorts. We see Swiss Army knives, keychain knives, credit card knives, fishing knives, butter knives, cake knives, tactical knives, hunting knives, souvenir knives and others. These are items that can be packed in a checked bag.
TSA reminds passengers to always know the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. The best way to ensure that you have no prohibited items in your bag is to start with an empty bag and pack it yourself. TSA has multiple resources available to passengers to help them determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, either or neither.
- Airline passengers may send a text message using any mobile device to “AskTSA” (275-872). A virtual assistant is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Travelers may send a question via X (formerly Twitter) to @AskTSA where staff are available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance.
- Individuals may send questions via Facebook Messenger.
- Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website.
- Passengers can use the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872TSA offers multiple ways to find out where to pack an item—in a checked bag, carry-on bag, either or neither.
Keep in mind that when a traveler’s carry-on bag needs to be opened and inspected that it slows down that individual’s trip through the checkpoint. When a few travelers in a row need to have their carry-on bags opened, that slows down the checkpoint screening process for others as well.
That’s why the best practice is to “know before you go,” meaning to know what is in your carry-on bag and know that there is nothing prohibited inside before you go to the airport.