Going Through TSA As A Family Has Never Been Easier With This Packing Hack

As fun as it is to bring your kids with you during your travels, there's no denying that having them tag along can also be stressful. Shuffling through the airport with your children's essentials in tow can feel like you're moving half your household, not to mention you also have to brace yourself for the dreaded TSA security check. The good news is that the TSA has made it easier for children under 12 to breeze past security, allowing them to pass through without removing shoes, light jackets, and headwear. Kids also benefit from modified screening procedures to potentially avoid a pat-down.

Unfortunately, this leniency doesn't extend to toys, electronics, and other knickknacks, which must still be screened. Given the many trinkets young ones tend to have, some may get flagged by the TSA, warranting a second look. To make things easier for everyone, consider consolidating all items that might raise flags into only one carry-on so you limit a potential additional screening to only a single bag.

Getting your kiddos to cooperate through the security check is hard enough; imagine how much more hassle it would be to fiddle with multiple bags for an additional round of screening. When you place potentially flaggable items in a single bag, not only will it streamline your packing process altogether, but it will also minimize delays for the entire family, perfect for days when you're racing against the clock.

Just because you're funneling every potentially flaggable item into a single bag doesn't mean your children — or anyone else in your crew — need to go bagless on the plane. You may want to let your mini-me's carry a small backpack so they can easily access their stuff, like their favorite stuffed animal they can't go to sleep without, books that can ward off boredom, a blanket for snuggles, and a spare change of clothes just in case. The key is ensuring these personal carry-ons are "safe items," leaving the trickier stuff for the special bag.

Now, when it comes to packing that bag, consider the following potential red flags: handheld gaming consoles, liquid medication, liquids (be sure that they abide by the 100ml limit), and souvenirs and gifts (think snowglobes). And while the TSA assures passengers that baby formula, breast milk, toddler food and drinks, puree pouches, liquid-filled teethers, and ice packs are all items exempt from the 3-1-1 rule, it's wise to consolidate them in this bag as well. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Once the bag is ready, assign one adult to look after it so you can focus on navigating the kids through security. If you're traveling as a solo parent, that's fine, too. If the TSA requires that your items need secondary screening, at least you will only be dealing with one bag, making the security check smoother despite the slight hiccup.

Having TSA PreCheck doesn't necessarily absolve you of additional screenings, but it does make security checks much more bearable for you and the rest of your family. To the uninitiated, TSA PreCheck is a program that provides expedited screening for its members. It's available in over 200 airports nationwide, and per the TSA, 99% of its members wait less than 10 minutes to complete the screening process. With TSA PreCheck, long lines have become a thing of the past, and the need to remove shoes, jackets, or unpack liquids and laptops from your bags is eliminated.

While it costs $78 for a five-year membership (or around $15.60 per year), children aged 17 and under can enjoy the same privilege provided that they are traveling with a parent or guardian who's a member. Kids 12 and below can use the expedited security lanes even without the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass, while children 13 to 17 must have it to qualify. Either way, kids don't need to apply for their own membership to enjoy expedited screening.

Are you not a fan of shelling out money for TSA PreCheck? See if there is a family lane available instead. These lanes are designed to accommodate families, especially those with small children or toddlers in strollers, allowing them to bypass longer lines. Not all airports may have them, however, so it's best to inquire with airport personnel about the availability of this option.