Airport security can be one of the most stressful parts of traveling. You’re watching the clock, trying to keep track of your passport and boarding pass, remembering to remove your shoes, and hoping you haven’t accidentally left a full-size bottle of sunscreen in your carry-on. The good news is that a little preparation can make the process much easier.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens millions of passengers and their belongings every day at airports across the United States. Its officers are trained to identify prohibited items and potential security threats, but additional screening doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong. Even an item that is generally permitted may require further inspection if it triggers an alarm, cannot be clearly identified on an X-ray image, appears to have been tampered with, or raises another security concern. So, what can cause delays at the checkpoint and what can you do to avoid them? From packing your carry-on incorrectly to arriving without the right identification, here are 17 things that could lead to additional screening or slow you down at airport security.
1. Arriving without an acceptable ID
One of the easiest ways to complicate your trip is to arrive at the airport without acceptable identification. As of May 7, 2025, travelers age 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license or identification card—or another form of identification accepted by TSA—to pass through a U.S. airport security checkpoint. Acceptable alternatives include a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, certain DHS Trusted Traveler cards such as Global Entry, a permanent resident card, a foreign government-issued passport, and several other forms of federally recognized identification. If you show up with a state-issued ID that isn’t REAL ID-compliant and don’t have another acceptable form of identification, you may face additional screening and delays. If TSA cannot verify your identity, you may not be allowed through the security checkpoint.
The smart move: Check your ID before leaving home and make sure it’s valid and accepted by TSA. If you’re unsure, bring your passport as a backup.
2. Packing prohibited items in your carry-on
One of the most common reasons for additional screening is simply having something in your bag that shouldn’t be there. Knives, certain tools, firearms, and other prohibited items can cause delays and may lead to additional inspection. Some items are permitted in checked luggage but not in carry-on bags, while others are prohibited altogether. The rules can also be surprisingly specific. For example, TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” database provides different instructions for everything from scissors and tools to batteries and sporting equipment. If you’re unsure about an item, don’t guess. Check TSA’s current guidance before you pack. The final decision about whether an item is permitted at the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer.
The smart move: Search TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” tool before your trip, especially if you’re traveling with an unusual item.
3. Bringing too many liquids
The familiar 3-1-1 rule remains one of the most important TSA rules for carry-on luggage. In general, liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on must be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and fit into a single quart-size bag. That includes many everyday products travelers tend to forget about: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, sunscreen, liquid makeup, and similar items. A full-size bottle that you bought specifically for your trip may seem harmless, but if it doesn’t meet the carry-on requirements, you’ll have to leave it behind or move it to your checked luggage.
There are exceptions. Medically necessary liquids and certain other essential items may be permitted in larger quantities and are subject to additional screening.
The smart move: Check your toiletries the night before your flight rather than discovering a problem at the checkpoint.
4. Packing liquids or gels that you forgot were subject to the 3-1-1 rule
It’s not just shampoo and sunscreen that can cause problems. Some foods and beverages also fall under TSA’s liquid and gel restrictions. Items such as yogurt, peanut butter, hummus, and other spreadable or pourable foods may be subject to the 3-1-1 rule when carried through security. Solid foods are generally permitted, but the distinction between a solid and a liquid or gel isn’t always obvious. If you’re bringing food for your flight, check TSA’s guidance before packing it. When in doubt, you can also purchase food and drinks after passing through security.
The smart move: If you can spread it, pour it, pump it, or squeeze it, check the rules before putting it in your carry-on.
5. Forgetting to remove items from your pockets
Keys. Coins. Wallet. Phone. Loose change. AirPods. When you’re rushing through security, it’s easy to forget something in a pocket. TSA recommends emptying your pockets before screening. Loose metal objects and other items can trigger alarms or require additional screening. The same applies to bulky jewelry and other accessories.
The smart move: Empty your pockets before you reach the front of the line and place small items securely in your carry-on.
6. Packing your carry-on in a way that makes screening difficult
A disorganized carry-on can make the security process unnecessarily complicated. When your bag is packed with tangled chargers, electronics, toiletries, snacks, and miscellaneous items all piled together, it can be more difficult for screening officers to get a clear image of what’s inside. TSA recommends packing bags in neat layers to help officers obtain a clearer view and reduce the likelihood of additional screening.
The smart move: Organize your carry-on before you leave home. Keep similar items together and avoid turning your bag into a travel version of a junk drawer.
7. Forgetting about electronics
Depending on the type of screening you’re going through, you may be asked to remove larger electronic devices from your carry-on and place them in a separate bin for X-ray screening. The TSA’s travel checklist specifically advises standard-screening passengers to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone, such as laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld gaming systems. However, procedures can vary by checkpoint and screening technology. Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck generally do not need to remove laptops or other qualifying electronics from their bags.
The smart move: Keep your electronics easily accessible so you can remove them quickly if instructed.
8. Traveling with batteries or power banks
Portable chargers and spare lithium batteries require special attention. TSA guidance generally requires spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks to be carried in your carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage. Batteries should also be protected from damage and accidental short circuits. The specific rules depend on the type and capacity of the battery, and airlines may impose additional requirements.
The smart move: Check the battery’s watt-hour rating before your trip and review both TSA and airline rules. Never assume that a large power bank can simply be placed in your checked suitcase.
9. Bringing powdered substances in large quantities
Travelers often think about the 3-1-1 rule for liquids but forget that certain powders can also receive additional screening. TSA advises that powder-like substances greater than 12 ounces (350 milliliters) may need to be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening and may require additional inspection. Containers may also need to be opened. For convenience, TSA recommends placing nonessential powders larger than this amount in checked baggage. This can apply to products such as protein powders, powdered supplements, and other similar substances.
The smart move: If you’re traveling with a large container of powder that you don’t need during the flight, consider putting it in your checked luggage.
10. Arriving with an item that cannot be clearly identified
Sometimes, the issue isn’t that an item is prohibited—it’s that an officer can’t immediately determine what it is. If an X-ray image isn’t clear or an object looks unusual, TSA may need to inspect the bag manually. This is one reason the agency emphasizes organized packing. An item that is clearly visible and easy to identify is less likely to create confusion than one buried beneath a tangled collection of cables, clothing, and toiletries. Even permitted items can receive additional screening if they trigger an alarm or create another security concern.
The smart move: Pack neatly and avoid overstuffing your carry-on.
11. Refusing to cooperate with screening instructions
Airport security is not the place to argue over every instruction. TSA officers may ask you to remove an item, open a bag, power on an electronic device, or undergo additional screening. Travelers should follow the officer’s instructions and ask questions calmly if they don’t understand what is being requested. TSA notes that officers may ask passengers to power up electronic devices. A device that cannot be powered on may not be permitted on the aircraft.
The smart move: Stay calm, listen carefully, and ask for clarification if necessary. Being cooperative can make an already stressful situation much easier.
12. Becoming aggressive or confrontational
Air travel can be frustrating. Delays happen. Flights get canceled. Lines move slowly. But taking out your frustration on airport or TSA employees is unlikely to help. Aggressive or disruptive behavior can attract attention and potentially lead to further intervention. TSA’s job is to maintain security, and officers may respond to behavior they consider concerning or disruptive. You don’t have to be cheerful about a three-hour delay—but remaining calm and respectful is almost always the better strategy.
The smart move: Save the argument for customer service after you’ve cleared security.
13. Arriving intoxicated or behaving disruptively
Having a drink before a flight is not, by itself, a TSA violation. However, being visibly intoxicated or behaving in a disruptive manner can create problems. TSA’s guidance on alcoholic beverages notes that FAA regulations prohibit passengers from consuming their own alcohol on board an aircraft unless it is served by a flight attendant. Airlines may also have their own policies regarding intoxicated passengers. The safest approach is to know your limits and remain in control of your behavior throughout your journey.
The smart move: If you choose to drink before your flight, do so responsibly—and remember that airports and airplanes are not the place to lose control.
14. Making jokes about bombs or weapons
This one should be obvious, but it’s worth saying: Don’t joke about bombs, explosives, weapons, or other security threats at an airport. Even if you think you’re being funny, airport security personnel cannot know your intentions based on a joke. Comments about explosives or weapons can lead to serious consequences, including additional questioning and possible involvement of law enforcement.
The smart move: Keep the dark humor for somewhere else. At an airport, it’s simply not worth the risk.
15. Wearing clothing or accessories that require additional screening
There is no TSA rule prohibiting baggy clothing, heavy coats, elaborate hairstyles, or specific fashion choices. However, certain clothing and accessories can sometimes make screening more complicated. Bulky garments, large metal accessories, or items that obscure the body or create an unclear image may result in additional screening. Likewise, some jewelry or hair accessories containing metal may trigger an alarm. This doesn’t mean you should change your personal style before flying. It simply means that if something triggers an alarm, TSA may need to investigate further.
The smart move: Wear comfortable clothing, but be prepared to remove bulky outerwear and certain accessories if instructed.
16. Traveling with unusual or oversized items
Travelers sometimes arrive at the checkpoint with items they aren’t sure how to pack—everything from sports equipment and musical instruments to unusual souvenirs and specialty foods. Some of these items are permitted in carry-on bags, some belong in checked luggage, and others may require special handling. The fact that an item is unusual doesn’t automatically make it prohibited. But if you’re unsure where it belongs, trying to improvise at the checkpoint can cause delays.
The smart move: Look up the specific item in TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” database before you leave home. The agency’s online tool covers a wide range of everyday and unusual items, and TSA recommends checking the rules in advance.
17. Forgetting that TSA officers have the final say
One of the most important things to remember about airport security is that TSA’s online rules are guidelines for travelers—but the final decision at the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer. An item may generally be permitted but still receive additional screening if it triggers an alarm, appears tampered with, or presents another security concern. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong. Sometimes, additional screening is simply part of the security process.
The smart move: Don’t panic if you’re pulled aside. Answer questions honestly, follow instructions, and remember that additional screening doesn’t automatically mean you’re in trouble.
How to Make Airport Security Easier
The easiest way to get through airport security is to prepare before you arrive. Check your identification. Make sure you have an acceptable form of ID and, if you’re using a state-issued driver’s license or identification card, that it meets current REAL ID requirements. Review your carry-on. Remove prohibited items, check your liquids, and make sure any medications or medically necessary liquids are packed appropriately. Organize your electronics and other items so they’re easy to access if an officer asks you to remove them. If you’re traveling with batteries, powders, food, or unusual equipment, check the rules before you leave home. And finally, give yourself enough time. Rushing through the airport makes it much easier to forget something in your pocket, leave a prohibited item in your bag, or become frustrated when the security line moves slowly. TSA’s own advice is straightforward: planning ahead and packing properly can make the screening process easier.
The bottom line
Airport security doesn’t have to be stressful. Most travelers can move through the checkpoint without significant problems by following the rules, packing thoughtfully, and cooperating with TSA officers. And if you’re selected for additional screening, try not to take it personally. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong. A permitted item may have triggered an alarm, an X-ray image may have been unclear, or an officer may simply need a closer look.
The best strategy is simple: know the rules, pack smart, keep your identification handy, and allow yourself enough time to get through the airport without rushing. A few minutes of preparation at home can save you considerably more time—and a lot of stress—at the security checkpoint
Useful links to check rules, as they may change overtime:
