Consider the apocalyptic traffic jams, airport hellscapes, and your knack for always managing to sit next to a monster who spent the entire five-hour bus ride on a loud conference call (just me) , traveling during the holidays is stressful enough. ? ). Add to the fact that this all happened during the last Mercury retrograde of 2017, otherwise known as the astrological phenomenon that affects transportation, and we're already out of luck. However, if you don’t want to cause yourself some trouble, you might want to read up on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) policy on gift-wrapped gifts on flights during the holidays, or you might be in for an unpleasant surprise at baggage claim .
It's worth noting that TSA's policy on gift-wrapped gifts is not new in 2017. Their most recent set of guidelines was established in 2013, and they have been adhering to them ever since. The policy states that while gift-wrapped items are by no means prohibited, if something in the bag triggers an alarm — whether it's a checked bag or a carry-on bag — they are obligated to open it. The gift doesn't even have to be the item that triggers the alarm; once the alarm goes off, TSA staff will thoroughly inspect the entire bag for security hazards, and gift-wrapped gifts may fall victim to inspection.
Casualties of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents will definitely open them and probably won't be as good at repackaging it as Santa's elves.
While there's no better way to vent than complaining about airport security, they (duh) are there to keep us all safe, and TSA staff are really just doing their jobs. But by keeping a few tips in mind and planning ahead, you can make this holiday season easier for them and yourself.
Send your gift in advance
If you already know where you'll be spending your vacation, have everything you order online shipped to your final destination, or brave a line at the post office and mail it in person. If you're worried about the recipient opening it or knowing what it is based on the box, make sure you let the seller know it's a gift and warn your recipient ahead of time not to commit a federal crime by randomly opening your mail ( mom ).
put your gift in the bag
The advice comes from the TSA itself: "We recommend that passengers place gifts in gift bags or wrap gifts upon arrival to avoid opening them during the security check process," they write in the guidance. That way you won't be surprised by any, uh, creative repackagings.
Make sure you are not traveling with anything that will be flagged at security
If you're not sure whether something is allowed in your luggage, use the TSA app and website "Can I bring my _________?," which is designed for questions like these. It will let you know what items are allowed in your carry-on and checked luggage, and which items are sure to result in a checked bag search that could disrupt your otherwise perfectly wrapped package. It's especially important to be vigilant about this during the holidays; people can forget in the fun that items like spreads, beer, wine, or other "liquids" may require additional inspection in checked luggage and weigh absolutely Do not exceed 3.4 ounces. Y'all, don't let your eggnog be sacrificed to the airport trash can gods. Plan ahead.
For a complete overview of TSA's policy regarding gift wrapping, please view their website here.
