TSA Shares Packing Tips for Halloween Week

Tomorrow is Halloween and even though the holiday isn’t nearly as big of an occasion in travel as other holiday weeks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wanted to make things as clear as possible for those wanting to celebrate on their way through the airport.

This week, the TSA released its top tips for traveling during the holiday week “to keep in mind this scary season or TSA will have a bone to pick.”

In terms of treats, as long as you’re following the standard TSA rules, you’ll be okay.  

Candy, as long as it’s not liquid, is good to carry-on. Starburst, Snickers, Hershey bars, all of it can be carried through security with no issues. However, the TSA did say that it is “good practice to remove any large bags of candy from a carry-on bag and place it in a bin so TSA Officers can easily identify it’s not something more sinister than sugary treats.”

Pumpkin lanterns are good to go through security. Pumpkin-flavored beverages—pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin beer, or pumpkin butters—are not, unless they are 3.4-ounces or less.

For costumes, capes have to come off your body and into the security bin. “A cape could trigger an alarm at the body scanner, resulting in a longer security process,” the TSA said. The same with masks and hats that are part of your ensemble.

Fake knives, axes, guns, bullets, grenades, and light sabers, along with any kind of broom (flightless or not), have to be checked, otherwise they’ll be stopped at security. The TSA this week confiscated a replica hand grenade at Rochester’s Frederick Douglass International Airport.

Another point for those who might be considering bringing a broom through—any potions that go along with that costume, also have to follow the liquid rule.

“When traveling with homebrewed potions and lotions, remember TSA’s magic 3-1-1 rule. This means if traveling with a liquid, gel, cream, paste or lotion (including fake blood) each item can only be 3.4 ounces or less and must fit into a plastic quart-sized bag if being carried through a security checkpoint,” the TSA said. “If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, the rule applies. Larger quantities of liquids should be packed in a checked bag.”

And, finally, costumes that require travelers to paint their face, while fun, aren’t permitted.

“A painted face in homage to IT is perfect for nighttime terror, but TSA prefers travelers do not fully paint their faces when traveling through checkpoints. Officers still need to match travelers to their ID picture,” the TSA said.