WASHINGTON — Bring on the pie, but pack away the serving knives. Airport security lines will move more smoothly for Thanksgiving fliers if everyone is aware of the rules for carry-on and checked luggage.
“Pies are perfectly fine in your carry-on luggage,” says Transportation Security Administration spokesman Michael McCarthy. “Soups, gravy, or if you’re bringing some kind of sauce for Thanksgiving — they’re going to fall under our liquid restrictions, so they have to be under 3.4 ounces.”
Except for items such as medicine or baby formula, whatever combination of liquids, gels and aerosols a flyer wants to put in carry-on bags has to fit inside a quart-sized plastic zip-top bag.
Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage but are OK as carry-ons. Cigarette lighters are OK in carry-on bags, but are banned from checked bags because they contain flammable fluid.
When it comes to screening wrapped holiday gifts, the TSA says fliers should not think of security officers as Grinch and Scrooge.
A post from the TSA Blog Team says wrapped presents may have to be opened to conduct thorough checks. It advises mailing gifts ahead of your trip or wrapping them once at your destination.
Sharp objects in carry-on bags tend to slow down lines at checkpoints.
“Pocket knives, utility knives, even a keychain knife — those are not allowed in the cabin of the aircraft,” McCarthy says.
Click here for a full list of what is not allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.
