Why your carry-on keeps getting flagged by TSA (and how to pack smarter)

Standing in the airport security line is no one’s idea of a good time. Best case scenario, you make it through with your dignity and sanity intact, and maybe enough time to grab a snack at the gate. Worst case scenario, you move at a snail’s pace for an hour-plus, get a bonus pat-down and watch as your bag is flagged by TSA for further inspection — leaving you to book it through the terminal, Home Alone style, to catch your flight.

There’s only so much you can control about the process, and that doesn’t include line length or whether your TSA agents woke up on the wrong side of the bed. But you can steer clear of packing mistakes that are almost guaranteed to hold you up. Here are some common pitfalls you’ll want to watch for, and expert advice on how to pack like a pro .

You don’t have the 411 on 3-1-1

We’ve all done it at some point: tossed a full-size bottle of shampoo or lotion into our carry-on , forgetting about the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule . Need a refresher? All liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less; they must fit in one quart-size zip-top bag; and each passenger can have only one such bag.

Joaquin Rodriguez, co-owner of vacation rental firm Stay in Costa Rica, points out that trying to skirt this rule is just asking for trouble. For instance, even if your toiletries are small enough, when they’re not organized properly, your bag is likely to get flagged. “People will fill 3-ounce containers, check items off the list in their mind and put them in a not-clear dopp kit,” he says. But keeping them in that clear quart-size bag allows agents to check everything quickly and efficiently, he adds.

You’re loaded down with tech

Most of us bring several devices when we travel, so it’s easy to forget about iPads, laptops, gaming consoles, e-readers and other gizmos squirreled away in a carry-on. Still, TSA requires that you put all electronic gadgets larger than a cellphone in a separate bin for screening. (Hair dryers, electric toothbrushes and similar items can stay put.)

“If there are several devices in one piece of luggage, they will be flagged,” says Echo Wang, founder of travel tip site Cool Travel Vibes . “For instance, I have two laptops and an iPad, and the X-ray cannot see through layers of electronic devices properly, so it appears to be a compact mass without details.” To minimize the chance of a longer bag search, “I have started putting at least one device into a separate suitcase to pass through the scanner easily.”

Your bag is bursting with snacks

Officially, “food or snacks such as fruit, health bars and sandwiches can stay inside your carry-on bag,” TSA says . Be that as it may, food, especially any that’s less commonly seen in carry-ons, may get a second look before the all-clear is given. According to guidelines, TSA “may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.”

Canned goods can raise red flags during X-ray screening, while the produce you tucked in your bag may run afoul of invasive pest rules. And, sadly, any less-than-solid snacks can violate those aforementioned limits on liquids. “Packing your own snacks like peanut butter, hummus and yogurt is a liquid issue if they are more than 3.4 ounces,” confirms Bernadine Cruz, frequent traveler and founder of Conmigo Bags .

You’re traveling with unusual items

A rule of thumb: The less common your carry-on cargo, the more likely your bag will be flagged by TSA. The agency has an exhaustive list of what’s OK in carry-on and checked baggage, including items you probably never would have dreamed of bringing (yes, you can fly with antlers, artificial bones, geiger counters and Harry Potter wands), but that doesn’t mean an agent won’t take a long second look.

Also, note that an item doesn’t actually have to be unusual to get flagged — it just has to look unusual during X-ray screening. For instance, the Play-Doh you packed for your kid to play with can look like explosives to an agent, Cruz says. And thick stacks of books “drive X-ray visibility crazy.”

How to make your bag more TSA-friendly

So, how can you maximize your chances of a stress-free, short-as-possible stint in the airport security line? Here are some pro tips.

• Search for “surprises” before packing.Your trusty carry-on has seen a lot, and it may be hanging onto remnants of previous adventures. “People sometimes don’t check all of the pockets of their luggage before packing for a trip,” cautions Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago vacation rentals. “Maybe you used your suitcase for a road trip not too long ago, and you accidentally left a pocket knife, or pepper spray, or a liquid item in a side pocket of your suitcase by accident.” Honest mistake? Probably — but one that can cost you major time at the airport.

• Get organized.Grab a TSA-compliant toiletry kit to make following the 3-1-1 rule easier. These include properly sized squeeze and spray bottles that you can fill with your favorite products, all neatly contained in a clear, zippered pouch that meets the quart-size requirement. If you’re not picky about brands, you can buy kits pre-stocked with essentials like shampoo, toothpaste and shaving cream. Similarly, you can grab travel pouches that keep small tech items in one spot, and packing cubes for outfits and other larger items, so agents won’t have to dig around as much if they need to open your bag.

• Don’t overpack.Using every inch of space seems like a no-brainer, but very densely packed luggage can be flagged by TSA, Wang says. “Once, my luggage was inspected due to a tightly rolled piece of silk fabric, which was recognized as a solid object. The agent said that some natural materials and things that are compressed tightly might show differently on the imaging machine than loose and synthetic objects.” This also applies to tech, including accessories, Wang adds. “Power banks, chargers and cables add to the ‘cluttered density’ factor when the security staff uses an X-ray scanner.”

• Save “exotic” items for your checked luggage.Carry-ons are usually filled with the same stuff: clothing, shoes, toiletries and personal tech. Unusual belongings are better off in your checked bags , which are screened separately (and more importantly, without an impatient line of travelers behind you). “What may look benign to you can look suspicious on TSA scannings,” Cruz says. “If a toy gun, light saber or Civil War sword is on your list, check them and avoid the hassles of a TSA search, especially if they are gift wrapped.”

• Be vocal about special situations.Got liquid medicine in excess of 3.4 ounces? Breast milk? Medical devices like insulin pumps or syringes? Tell the first TSA agent you encounter so they can facilitate faster screening. If you’d like to do so more discreetly, you can fill out this TSA Notification Card and hand it to the agent.