The Accessories To Avoid Having Loose In Your Bag While Going Through TSA

Long lines, strict rules, and the pressure to move as quickly as humanly possible — navigating airport security checkpoints without getting flagged by TSA can quickly turn into a stressful experience for pretty much any traveler. Whether you're fumbling with your suitcase, forgetting to empty your water bottle, or struggling to undo yet another one of your jacket's many buckles — which, by the way, is one of the worst things you can wear the airport — a simple oversight can easily slow down the process and frustrate pretty much anyone involved (especially the TSA agent tasked with keeping the line moving).

And while most travelers know to limit their liquids (3-1-1, anyone?) and remove laptops from their bags, there are other packing strategies that can also make a difference. In fact, one often overlooked aspect of packing that will make going through security much easier is how you store jewelry. Because, even though tossing loose accessories into your carry-on bag might seem convenient when you're rushing out the door, it can actually cause significant delays at security.

Without getting too technical, loose jewelry doesn't pair well with the TSA's security procedures because airport X-ray machines have trouble seeing through metal objects (including gold, platinum, tungsten, and others). This means that, in some cases, the machine's inability to clearly identify your accessories might lead to you and your luggage needing additional security screenings — including a potential bag search. And, let's face it: You don't necessarily have to be running late for an unexpected bag search to completely ruin the mood before your holiday has even started.

However, this doesn't mean that you need to turn into a tangled mess and wear all of your necklaces, earrings, and rings on the plane — especially if they're bulkier pieces that might trigger security scanners and lead to even more issues. Instead, consider investing in a travel-size jewelry organizer that can easily fit into your suitcase. That way, you can keep all of your accessories in one place in case an agent needs to manually look through them.

If you're already running low on time before your trip, you'll be glad to know that there are plenty of other ways to travel with your jewelry and keep it all organized and safe in one place. Better yet, these also don't involve going out to buy something new. For starters, there's a simple button hack to keep your earrings together before packing them away. Simply grab an unused button, put each earring through the buttonhole, and then secure it with its own backing. From there, you can throw your earrings into a small pouch that'll be easy to pull out from your bag if necessary.

Additionally, another way to avoid losing your jewelry in your luggage — and still have easy access to it — is by using your shoes as a storage solution. First, place your jewelry in small fabric pouches (like the ones they typically come in). Then, carefully tuck them into the toes of your closed-toe shoes, adding socks for extra padding. Not only will this help keep your accessories organized and protected, but it'll also guarantee that you know exactly where to look when a TSA begrudgingly asks you to unzip your bag for further inspection.