WASHINGTON — As busy travelers rush through the airport this holiday season, security checkpoints will certainly be a part of the journey, and it's usually not the favorite. Long lines amongst the hustle and bustle, all while working to remember the rules, can feel like the price to pay for the fun that lies ahead.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year for U.S. airports. Travelers will also assuredly have to navigate big crowds on Dec. 23 -- two days before Christmas -- TSA data shows.
In an effort to make your travels as seamless as possible, it's best to know what you can (and can't) bring with when you're flying -- especially when it comes to cargo as precious as holiday leftovers.
Here's what you'll need to know... and if you have any questions about what to bring, you can always text or tweet AskTSA.
Foods that will make it through TSA, easy-breezy
- Cooked turkey, chicken, ham, steak and other meats
- Stuffing -- cooked, uncooked, in a box or in a bag.
- Mac ‘n Cheese
- Corn on the cob, brussel sprouts, green beans and other fresh or cooked veggies
- Bread
- Pies, cakes, brownies, cookies and other baked goods
- Solid chocolate
- Casseroles
- Fresh fruit (that isn't from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands when you're heading to the U.S. mainland)
- Cooked seafood
- Dried fruit
- Fresh eggs
- Crackers
- Solid cheese
- Candy
- Spices
- Coffee beans or grounds
- Tea bags, or loose leaf
- Pizza
- Baby food
Remember that if the food is spreadable, TSA subjects it to their liquids policy! The following are foods that can easily go through TSA in checked luggage or will have to be less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml in your carry-on:
- Mashed potatoes
- Gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Preserves, jams and jellies
- Creamy cheese
- Creamy dips and spreads
- Salsa and sauces
- Peanut butter
- Liquid chocolate
- Ice cream
- Juice
- Pop
- Soup
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Hummus
- Oil and vinegar
- Salad dressing
- Yogurt
Foods that could make it through TSA with special precautions
These items have special guidelines, and you may want to arrive at the airport extra early to get them through, talk to a gate agent for clarity or ditch them if you're in a rush.
Click on each item to view the guidelines.
- Canned foods
- Frozen foods
- Fresh fruit that is from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands when you're headed to the U.S. mainland
- Live lobster (Info for your most extra Thanksgiving guest. We all have one in the family)
- Alcohol that's under 140-proof
- Baby formula
- Breast milk
