Do not wear these 10 items in airport security. The Transportation Security Administration screens all passengers to make sure they do not take any harmful objects that could harm anyone.
There are 10 items that could set off an alarm during the airport screening process.
I will teach you what not to wear and show you acceptable options instead so that you can “fly” through airport security with no delays.
Avoid wearing these things so that you do not receive additional screening.
Do not wear clothes with metal or metallic threading through airport security.
My travel outfit consisted of a cute top with sequins on my pocket on Christmas Day 4 years ago. That mistake got me pulled out of the TSA line for extra screening.
Travel tip: save it for after security.
Do not wear a hoodie or sweater tied around your waist.
I wish UK Daily Mail would listen to this tip. They wrongly quoted me as not telling passengers why. They slapped our photo on the front page of their Daily Mail with a bunch of videos a TikTok person has taken from my Instagram without giving me credit.
And of course they did not even ask me the questions mentioned in their article.
Do not wear belts with large metal buckles.
Save time by slipping off before you’re asked.
Some airports still are making even TSA PreCheck passengers remove their belt. This used to be the case with Houston, but in 2025, I am able to keep it on.
Do not wear bulky jewelry and watches.
Keep accessories like these in your carry-on until after the screening.
In Mexico twice last year, the airport security officer mouthed to me to take off my watch while pointing to it.
Let me know if a TSA officer in the United States has ever asked you to take off your watch.
One frequently asked question by viewers is do I have to take off my wedding rings for the TSA line?
One really important travel tip for passengers who are nervous about doing something wrong. You can ask for a private screening. Two female officers would be with you; they may take you to another lane if available or they could take you to a portable room with no roof like they did when my cat had to come out of the pet carrier.
Here is what I do in the TSA line:
- After showing my ID and ticket’s bar code to the officer, I put them in an easily accessible pocket of my purse. Or I put them in an inner zipped pocket of my personal item bag that is easily accessible.
- Then I put my suitcase, tote bag, crossbody bag, jacket maybe, shoes, liquids bag, liquid medication, and any electronics larger than a phone into the bins.
- After airport security, I put everything in secure places at a bench.
If you travel with a family member who really has physical issues with mobility in airport security or special abilities or needs: I interview officers about this free alternative that may be in your airport.
Avoid shoes that are difficult to remove.
- I mistakenly wore pull-on tall boots and about fell on the floor in airport security because I lost my balance.
- It takes too much time. You could slow the line behind you down by them having to wait for you to put back on those boots or lace up shoes. TIP:It is impossible to keep your balance if you are in a hurry.
- Instead, wear slip-ons to speed up the process and give yourself less stress.
Here is a travel hack if you must wear laced shoes. Loosen them alot and tie them loosely. That one action makes them easy to take on or off in the airport.
After the TSA line, tie them while sitting on a bench nearby or at your gate.
Loose change
Keep it in a small pouch in your bag, not in your pockets.
TSA rule for screening: Nothing can be in your pockets for screening – not even tissues.
Travel tip for men: they do not want your wallet inside your pockets.
Do not wear a hidden money belt or my dog walking belt that holds 2 passports in airport security.
Do not wear panty liners is what viewers have told me.
Metal hair accessories
Avoid sounding the alarm with simple, non-metal alternatives.
Another tip for passengers with their hair in a bun: You will probably get pulled out of line so they can feel all in your hair. That density blocks something in the TSA’s screening technology.
Bulky Jackets
They’re a hassle to take off and put through scanning. One travel hack is to stuff your winter jacket in a trash bag or packing cube until you get into the airplane.
Some viewers on our channel use that as a pillow midflight.
If a gate agent says something, wear it into the airplane.
For some of our travel community bulky dresses create a dense area the screener sees as an item.
The space in a flowing dress shows up as an item in that v area between your legs to the ground.
One solution for you women could be to tie it in a knot so that it is no longer flowy.