Pack your carry-on with TSA PreCheck in mind: keep shoes, belt, and jacket on, and leave liquids and electronics in your bag if you have PreCheck. Use a quart-sized clear bag for liquids under 3.4 oz, and pack solid toiletries to save space. Remove laptops and tablets for easy access, and keep ID and boarding pass handy. Wear slip-on shoes and bring a durable, leakproof bag. More time-saving tips follow.
TLDR
- Use a TSA-approved quart-sized bag for liquids, packed in an outer compartment for quick removal.
- Wear slip-on shoes and keep belts, jackets, and electronics easily accessible to speed through screening.
- Pack laptops and tablets in a separate bin; avoid stacking devices for faster X-ray inspection.
- Choose solid toiletries like shampoo bars to bypass 3-1-1 liquid rules and reduce bag clutter.
- Ensure your ID is REAL ID-compliant or use an alternative like a passport to avoid checkpoint delays.
Understand TSA PreCheck Benefits for Faster Screening
You’ll often find that enrolling in TSA PreCheck makes your airport security experience faster and more convenient.
You keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave electronics and quart-size liquids in your bag.
You’ll wait less than 10 minutes 98% of the time, with lines moving 5–10 times faster.
Over 20 million trusted travelers enjoy these benefits, screening stress-free at over 200 airports.
Approximately 280 million passengers are screened through PreCheck lanes annually, highlighting its widespread use and efficiency.
Enforcement at busy hubs means even small carry-on overages can cause delays, so use a baggage sizer to ensure your bag meets carry-on size limits.
Meet Real ID Requirements Before You Travel
You’ll need a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted form of ID to fly domestically after May 7, 2025.
Look for the star in the corner of your driver’s license, or check your state’s status online to confirm it meets federal standards.
If your ID isn’t compliant, don’t worry—you can still use a passport, trusted traveler card, or plan to use TSA Confirm.ID starting in 2026.
Contact your airline before travel, since airlines may have different ID policies and requirements.
Verify ID Compliance Early
As the May 7, 2025, enforcement deadline approaches, travelers must confirm their identification meets REAL ID requirements before heading to the airport. Check for a gold star on your Arizona Travel ID—it proves compliance. No star? Bring a passport, Global Entry card, or another accepted alternative.
Avoid the $45 ConfirmID fee by verifying your ID early and traveling with peace of mind.
Know Acceptable Alternatives
What if your driver’s license isn’t REAL ID-compliant? You’ve got options. A U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID works. Trusted traveler cards like Global Entry or an enhanced driver’s license also qualify. Kids under 18 don’t need ID.
After February 1, 2026, TSA Confirm.ID is available for $45, but pay online early to skip delays.
Pack Liquids According to the 3-1-1 Rule
One clear rule governs how you pack liquids in your carry-on: the 3-1-1 rule. You can bring containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all fitting in one quart-sized, clear, resealable bag. Each passenger gets one bag.
This includes gels, creams, sprays, and pastes like toothpaste or lotion. Pack carefully to move freely through security without delays or confiscations. Consider using leakproof travel bottles with multi-layer seals or pressure-relief valves to prevent spills and stay within limits.
Organize Electronics for Quick Access
Get ready to streamline your security screening by organizing your electronics for quick access.
Remove laptops, tablets, and e-readers from bags and place them in a separate bin.
Avoid stacking items so TSA gets a clear X-ray view.
Keep devices charged—you may need to power them on.
Take electronics out of cases if asked.
Pack spare lithium batteries in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
Choose a travel organizer with removable dividers to keep devices and chargers neatly separated for faster bin placement and a tangle-free layout.
Prepare Your Carry-On for Minimal Unpacking
Keep your essentials within easy reach by packing them in quick-access pockets of your carry-on.
Use a TSA-approved clear bag for liquids, making sure each container is 3.4 ounces (100mL) or smaller and fits inside a single 1-liter bag.
Pre-pack this bag and place it in an outer compartment so you can pull it out fast during screening.
Choose a durable quart-sized bag made of 0.3–0.6 mm PVC or PEVA for leak resistance and long-term use.
Keep Essentials Accessible
Always pack with security in mind, so you can move quickly through screening without last-minute scrambling.
Keep your passport, boarding pass, and ID in an easily reachable pocket.
Store electronics, liquids, and medications where you can grab them fast.
Wear slip-on shoes and leave coats handy.
This way, you stay in control, avoid delays, and keep your trip smooth and stress-free.
Use TSA-Approved Bags
Packing smart starts with choosing a carry-on that meets TSA-approved standards and fits within strict size limits.
Measure your bag—including wheels and handles—and stay under 22x14x9 inches.
Use packing cubes, keep electronics on top, and avoid tight wraps so security can inspect easily.
Pick bags with smart features like quick-access compartments to move freely through checkpoints.
Pre-Pack Liquids Securely
Getting your liquids ready the right way can save you time and hassle at security, so start by following the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule: each liquid, gel, or aerosol must be in a container of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, all of which fit into one clear, quart-sized zip-top bag—one per passenger.
Pack only essentials, keep the bag easily accessible, and remember that creamy foods, mascara, and peanut butter count.
Use solid alternatives like shampoo bars or solid deodorant to bypass limits.
Declare medically necessary liquids over 3.4 ounces—they’re allowed with proper documentation.
Use Digital or Physical ID Efficiently at Checkpoints
When traversing airport security, choosing between a digital or physical ID can streamline your checkpoint experience.
Use Apple or Google Wallet for touchless scanning at 30+ airports, or keep a REAL ID-compliant license ready.
Verify expiration, carry a backup, and position your ID face-up.
Avoid delays by matching names and preparing early—freedom means moving smoothly, not waiting.
Check TSA rules in advance for acceptable IDs to avoid problems at the checkpoint.
Leverage New 2026 Identity Verification Options
Starting in 2026, you’ll have a new option if you don’t have a REAL ID or passport: TSA’s Confirm.ID system lets you verify your identity online for a $45 fee, giving you 10 days of checkpoint access without compliant ID.
Prepay online to skip delays, then show your receipt and physical ID at screening. While not guaranteed, this fast-track alternative helps you avoid lengthy checks—ideal when you value time and control at the airport.
Combine Trusted Traveler Programs for Maximum Speed
Maximize your travel speed by combining Trusted Traveler Programs to access multiple expedited screening benefits across North America.
Enroll in NEXUS for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and SENTRI lane access.
Use your PASSID on all bookings.
This single membership speeds entry into the U.S. and Canada by air, land, or sea, giving you freedom to move quickly and efficiently across borders without extra enrollments or paperwork.
And Finally
You can speed through airport security by following simple steps. Use TSA PreCheck and meet REAL ID requirements to avoid delays. Pack liquids in a quart-sized bag, one per passenger, following the 3-1-1 rule. Keep electronics and ID ready. By organizing your carry-on and using trusted traveler programs, you reduce screening time. Starting in 2026, digital identity options will offer even faster verification. Plan ahead, stay prepared.
