One Harmless And Unexpected Item Could Trigger TSA To Search Your Carry-On Bag By Hand

Sometimes, it's the smallest, most unexpected things that can put a huge damper on your travel plans before they even start. One of the most common and easiest ways to be put in a sour mood while traveling is getting stopped by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) because something in your bag set off their scanners. It feels even worse when you're someone who triple-checks TSA guidelines and has your travel day planned out right down to the minute. But even the most seasoned travelers get blindsided by unexpected and seemingly strange items that set off scanners and force them to spend extra time at security while agents go through their bags.

One such item is aluminum foil. Whether it's to keep your homemade food nice and fresh or to use as a hack to keep your sleeping bag dry, aluminum foil can be a useful and easy-to-pack tool. However, if you are going to pack aluminum foil in your carry-on, you should account for some extra time at your TSA checkpoint because you might get taken off to the side to have your bag checked thoroughly.

You may need to anticipate getting your bags searched by hand by TSA if you plan on packing aluminum foil in your carry-on luggage. The reason for this is that aluminum is a metal and TSA scanners act as a sort of metal detector. And while most scanners might ignore small traces of metal, you still run the risk of getting signaled out from time to time. Another reason you might get pulled to the side is if you have wrapped something, such as food, in aluminum foil, and the scanners are unable to see through them. At that point, it becomes a safety issue, and you may have to deal with a TSA agent handling your food (and perhaps have to give up an awkward chuckle at whatever bland joke they make about it).

This has become such an issue that some companies that manufacture products such as chewing gum, candy, and cigarettes changed their packaging from metallic to paper wrappers. The last thing you want is to be foiled by aluminum foil. To avoid getting flagged by TSA altogether, try and store your food in clear containers or reusable silicone bags — both are eco-friendly as well. If you do need to pack aluminum foil in your carry-on, there are a few things you can do to make your journey through TSA smoother. The best option might be to take the foil-wrapped item out of your bag and send it through the scanners by itself. If you feel like you won't have enough time to do that, place the item on top of everything else in your suitcase so it can be located easily and quickly, and you won't waste time while a TSA agent searches for it. This will help you get through airport security faster, and you'll be on your way in no time.