TSA Packing "Tip" for Fewer Hassles

[Bolster]

So the other day I was in an airport where nobody was in the security line but me. That gave me an opportunity to chat with the TSA agent. I mentioned I travel a lot, and that I try to pack so that there's nothing "interesting" in my carry-on, so I don't get the additional search.

The TSA agent said, "Here's the best way to make the additional search less likely. Take all your electronics and other metal items* and put them in a flat horizontal plane. Lay down a layer of clothes, then lay all your electronics flat in the next layer, then finish packing on top. Most people pack with their heavy stuff on the bottom so it doesn't shift, but when we see all that dense stuff in one spot, and when it's turned vertical so we can't really tell what it is, we will do the secondary search. But if you make it easy on us to see what you've got, we'll make it easy on you, and you'll avoid many of the secondary searches if you pack your electronics so they are distributed across your bag in a flat layer."

(*In my case, the major items being a 2xAA Fenix L2D flashlight, a 4xAA-cell Sharper Image travel alarm/radio/white-noise, a sub-4" pair of scissors, a pedometer, power supplies for computer & cell phone & alarm/radio.)

[Lugsalot]

I wonder just how universal this guideline is, given the procedural inconsistencies of the TSA. Still, if there's a chance it'lll save me a small amount of grief the next time I have to fly, I'll be sure to give it a try.

Way to gather information for us, Bolster! :highfive:

[Lunal_Tic]

They also don't like it when you pack tightly as I do so things don't bang around. I've had them tell me to get a bigger bag. :shrug:

-LT

[HammerHead]

I wonder just how universal this guideline is, given the procedural inconsistencies of the TSA. Still, if there's a chance it'lll save me a small amount of grief the next time I have to fly, I'll be sure to give it a try.

Way to gather information for us, Bolster! :highfive:


I've seen this tip quite a few times in recent months, actually. It may not be "universal", but it makes sense and seems to work well for many folks.

This is typically how I carry my electronics, anyway, simply because of how the pockets for them are laid out in my carry on bags. I've been getting through security since 09/11 with a pocket harddrive (and USB cable), iPod (and cable/AC charger), cell phone (again, charger), car key (it's electronic), 5 Rotrings and two Staedtler Mars drafting pencils. Very seldom do agents ask to check the contents of my bag. However, because of the layout, when they do check, it's a very rapid search.

I didn't carry the pens and pencils for a while after 09/11, but decided to test the waters when I began having to do some regular business travel and haven't encountered any problems. Though, I do get frequent questions about the Rotrings :D