Planning to fly throughout the holidays however not fairly certain what’s allowed in your carry-on bag? Wondering in case you can carry all of your presents in your checked baggage? Curious whether or not you possibly can carry vacation meals treats on board?
Never concern; AskTSA is right here. The Transportation Security Administration simply launched a brand new text-based possibility for cellphones so vacationers can discover solutions to their urgent journey packing questions.
This is along with its social media accounts and “What Can I Bring?” webpage.
Simply textual content “Travel” to AskTSA (275872). The service supplies automated responses 24 hours a day, and there are TSA specialists accessible from 8 a.m. to six p.m. EST. (We did discover some prolonged solutions throughout these hours versus in a single day.)
The interface requires customers to decide on one of many following subjects to get began: TSA PreCheck, What’s Allowed, Identification, Medical Questions, Damages/Claims and Other.
We determined to attempt the “What’s Allowed” part to get some packing assist for the vacations this week.
Related: Here’s the 411 on the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule
After we selected this class, the subsequent query was “Carryon” or “Checked” baggage, after which we have been introduced with the next subjects: E Cigarettes, Electronics, Firearms, Flammable Aerosols, Food, Grooming Items, Knives, Lighters and More.
Here’s how we fared searching for packing ideas for some well-liked gadgets.
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Sports gear
First up, senior cruise author Ashley Kosciolek, who’s about to embark on a multistop journey with ice skates and fishing lures in her carry-on bag, checked in with AskTSA.
It took a number of minutes for Ashley to listen to again in regards to the skates, which is a time lag I skilled as effectively. Although two to 3 minutes definitely is not lengthy, it feels just like the message won’t have been obtained when you’re observing your telephone.
This ice skates reply provided the identical data Ashley had discovered on the TSA web site when she searched on-line.
For her fish hook inquiry, it took 13 hours (in a single day) to get a reply. When answered, although, it appeared to have been despatched by an individual as a substitute of a bot.
Gifts
Next, I requested one of many questions I hear most continuously from pals: Can I carry wrapped presents via safety?
This is at all times a tough one. I’ve personally seen an agent unwrap a tightly secured set of candlesticks from Tiffany’s, watching as layer after layer of bubble wrap was eliminated whereas the passenger in entrance of me grew to become an increasing number of distraught.
I’ve by no means wrapped a present since (as a substitute, I carry present luggage and tissue paper for fast gifting). I’ve not, nonetheless, witnessed this once more.
The official phrase is that they “suggest” ready. It’s straightforward to see why vacationers may very well be confused by this directive.
Food
What TSA-approved meals will be introduced via safety is a prime query we get from readers. Managing editor Clint Henderson despatched a question to the TSA that I hadn’t considered but: Can I carry frozen turkey on a airplane?
Good information for Clint: He can carry his frozen turkey on board (this additionally applies to different frozen meals, together with water, however all of them want to remain in a strong, not liquid, state for screening to qualify).
With extra meals questions, we had publication editor Becky Blaine attain out to AskTSA.
Becky had pumpkin pie in thoughts when she queried “creamy” meals, one of many two classes (together with “strong”) provided up for meals questions.
When she replied “No” as to whether she had obtained a passable reply to her query from the automated system, she was knowledgeable {that a} “Social Care Specialist” can be in contact between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
While this reply was useful, we have been capable of sort in “pie” on the TSA “What Can I Bring?” web page and obtained a solution instantly.
Bottom line
If you are not in a rush and wish to know what you possibly can pack, the AskTSA textual content message possibility is a useful software, particularly in order for you a private reply on an merchandise that you just’re undecided how you can categorize.
However, we have been capable of finding data a bit sooner just by looking out with Google for many gadgets.
Related: Here’s what to pack in a carry-on bag each time you journey