A Popular Packing Method Might Get You Into Trouble At TSA

Even the most expert packers, organizers, and travel enthusiasts aren't immune to the wrath of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Many travelers know the basics of getting through airport security — no big liquids, no weapons or firearms, and you must remove your shoes and take out laptops and large electronics to place in their own bins (unless you have TSA preCheck). But there are many lesser known items that will set off TSA scanners and add extra time to your security checkpoint. One of them includes travel guru Samantha Brown's solution for packing efficiently for the whole family.

Vacuum-sealing clothes to save space in carry-on luggage is a popular packing hack used by many. Travelers can place their clothes in a plastic, Ziploc-like bag and suck the air out using a vacuum. And while this is helpful in shrinking down your clothes so you can fit more and cut the cost of a checked bag, it might end up causing you more trouble in the long run. In a now-deleted Reddit post, a user posted, "TIFU by vacuum-sealing my clothes for a trip and not being able to get them back into my carry-on after the TSA agent made me cut them all open." The official TSA website states that while vacuum-sealed bags are not prohibited, they are subject to search — which means tearing into them. If you want to avoid getting flagged and comprising your packing set up, this is one hack you'll want to skip.

Even if you've left the vacuum-sealed bags at home and double-checked all the restrictions, you may still get pulled aside at your security checkpoint because there are many unexpected things you can't bring through TSA. Some of them can be seen as nonsensical, such as a jar of peanut butter. You may be surprised to learn that even though peanut butter is clearly not a liquid, TSA classifies it as such. This is because it is an item that conforms to the shape of its container, the same as toothpaste or hair gel. 

Other items that surprisingly violate the liquid are medical inhalers. However, if you have a medical condition that requires you to have one on hand, you can let TSA officers know before you go through the screening process. Items that aren't prohibited but may require you to go through extra screenings include oversized headbands or hats, hair extensions, aluminum foil wrappers, mini alcohol bottles, and bras with underwire.