Here’s how you can avoid delays at TSA checkpoints this Christmas

POCATELLO — As part of its “Stay Healthy, Stay Secure” campaign, the Transportation Security Administration has made changes to procedures and policies at airport security checkpoints.

Although COVID-19 restrictions have made travel difficult to predict, Americans will likely pass through TSA checkpoints by the millions this Christmas season, the same way they did Thanksgiving week.

TSA Pacific spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said TSA’s goal is to help travelers get to their destination safely, with as little holdup as possible.

“We know that people who are flying … want to have the easiest and the quickest trip through security,” Dankers told EastIdahoNews.com. “The No. 1 way that that can occur is, the travelers take responsibility for what they bring to the checkpoint.”

To help travelers know what they can or cannot put in their carryon, the agency has launched the MyTSA app.

Among the things TSA sees at an increased rate during the holidays are solid food items, like breads, meats and cheeses. These, according to Dankers, can be carried on in unlimited quantities. However, liquid food items, including sauces and gravies, are subject to the standard 3.4-ounce limit.

The only exception to the 3.4-ounce limitation is sanitizer, which can be carried on at amounts up to 12 ounces due to the COVID pandemic. Any sanitizers should be placed on X-ray conveyers separate from other fluid, however.

“TSA has a lot of resources for travelers to make sure that they pack properly,” Dankers said. “Take a few minutes, as a traveler, to ensure that you can make that quick trip through the security checkpoint. Ideally, we want it to be touchless. Ideally, we want it to be quick.”

Travelers can also use the app to find tips and assistance for getting through security with ease, as well as estimated wait times at TSA checkpoints.

Along with the launching of this app, TSA has made changes to the checkpoint procedures.

While passing through security checkpoints, travelers can expect to see blue dots on the floor marking 6-foot gaps. Dankers acknowledged that in some instances maintaining social distancing will be difficult, but asks travelers, for their own benefit, to do their best to follow the policy.

TSA officers have also begun maintaining additional health and safety standards.

All TSA officers are wearing masks, while any officers who come in direct contact with travelers — such as checking identification or handling carry-on items on X-ray conveyers — are also wearing face shields.

In addition to increased cleaning, TSA officers are required to change their gloves whenever switching from one position to another. Travelers can request a TSA officer change their gloves before any contact with them or their luggage.

Gifts are subject to all TSA guidelines, meaning anything wrapped that cannot be immediately identified will need to be unwrapped, Dankers said.

To circumvent any issues this may cause, Dankers recommends gifts being carried on be placed in gift bags or unwrapped gift boxes instead.

“Our officers don’t like to have the tell the passengers no,” Dankers said. “But I like to remind passengers that these rules have been in place since 2006. They’re not new. We don’t take a holiday (from the rules) during the holidays. Our officers need to be right every time (to) make sure there is no security threat.”