You might want to find a list of prohibited luggage items and check it twice before boarding your flight this holiday season.
It may seem obvious that a Taser or a pocket knife aren't items you can bring with you in your carry-on bag. But a cast-iron pan, snow globe, or tub of cheese spread might get you stopped, too.
Jessica Mayle is with the Transportation Security Administration.
"Most of the time, people are kind of forgetful about what they even have in their bag. Sometime they know the rule and we say, "is this yours?" and they say "oh my gosh, I didn't mean to bring that,'" she said. "But the big reminder is our oversized liquid, gels, aerosols rule. So anything over 3.4 ounces needs to go in your checked baggage."
Mayle says anything that can be spilled, sprayed, spread, poured or pumped is generally included in that category — and yes, that does includes the cheese spread. Wrapped gifts can also cause a headache if the item triggers an alarm and TSA agents ask you to unwrap it.
"Sometimes you put a lot of work into wrapping it or the gift recipient might be there. It's a little awkward," she said. "So use a gift bag if possible, or just wrap at your destination.
Mayle said a couple good rules of thumb includes starting your packing with an empty bag to avoid bringing along a prohibited item unintentionally, and checking the TSA's rules for items in carry-on and checked bags ahead of time.
You can often check prohibited carry-on items or return them to your vehicle, but that could also cause you delays you can't afford to take.
Peoria International Airport director Gene Olson recommends arriving at least two hours before your flight just in case there are complications. He is expecting busier-than-usual air travel this holiday season. He estimates 22,000 to 25,000 passenger seats will move through the airport now through the end of the year.
