Clear Airport Security with Children

[no_toc] I don’t know about you, but I find clearing airport security the most stressful part about flying. Here’s what you need to know to make the process less stressful.

Click here for more info on the TSA child screening procedure.

Remove your outwear, and put away your phone, watch, belt with metal buckle.

Put these items in your carry on so you don’t have to worry about them during the security screening.

Children under 12 can keep their light jackets on.

Declare any children’s food and drink to the TSA so you don’t get stuck clearing airport security.

Although the 3.4 ounce liquid limits do not apply to children’s food and drink, you’ll still need to declare them.  A TSA agent may inspect the contents, so make sure these items are easily accessible in your carryon.

You may also be subjected to secondary inspection where they take you aside and ask you for a sample of the food and drink.

The process generally takes about 15 minutes and the TSA agents I’ve encountered during this procedure had been polite and respectful.

Keep your electronics and Ziploc of liquids accessible.

You will need to put these items through the x-ray machine. So make sure your liquids and iPad are not packed at the bottom of your carry on.

Take off your shoes and put them through the x-ray machine. 
Wear easy on and off shoes. Now is not the time to fiddle with long bootlaces.

Children under 12 can keep their shoes on.

Remove your child from the baby carrier to clear airport security faster.

If you are wearing your child in a baby carrier, you will need to remove the kid from the carrier and carry them in your arms through the walk-through metal detector.

To clear airport security faster, skip the full body scanner if you are carrying a child.

You do not have to go through the full body scanner if you are carrying a child. You’ll only need to walk through the metal detector with your kid.

Also, a child under the age of 12 does not have to go through the full body scanner.