Written by Denise Stegmann, updated February 2020
airport SECURITY with children
Just like with anything in parenting this will be your unique journey, literally. Everything I am describing here is based on my personal experiences.
Be there early and you will be fine
OR
Pay to make it faster
Unfortunately I have not experienced being waved through the security line with my baby since 2015. So be prepared to wait in line. One way around this would be TSA PreCheck. Only parents have to go through the application process, and only the parents have to pay the $85 fee for TSA PreCheck. Children 13 and under can go through the expedited security line. Another option would be Global Entry, which also gets you through customs faster when you enter the United States. For that there is a $100 nonrefundable application fee no matter your age.
Every one else has to wait in the regular old line. Quite honestly I have never experienced this as anything bad. You are at the beginning of your travels, still fresh and excited. Be there early and you will be fine. If you arrived at the airport early enough there is nothing to fear.
Every one else has to wait in the regular old line. Quite honestly I have never experienced this as anything bad. You are at the beginning of your travels, still fresh and excited. Be there early and you will be fine. If you arrived at the airport early enough there is nothing to fear.
identification
The first encounter with a TSA agent will be the checking of identification and boarding pass. Only adults need identification to go through airport security. Children 18 and under do not require identification when flying domestically. Then after this first check you pack everything away and get ready for the actual security screening.
*in case you are traveling without the other parent, or your children have a different last name than you do you might want to consider a notarized consent form stating that the other parent is okay with you taking the children. This might be especially important when traveling internationally.
*in case you are traveling without the other parent, or your children have a different last name than you do you might want to consider a notarized consent form stating that the other parent is okay with you taking the children. This might be especially important when traveling internationally.
know what you can take through security
- You can bring as many snacks as you need
- You can bring unlimited liquids for your children, just take them out of your bag and know that there will be an additional swipe
what to take out of your bag
TSA staff always likes to announce loudly what they want you to take out of your bag. On my most recent flight they wanted every electronic device larger than a cellphone taken out of the bag. You will also need to remove your pouch with liquids, and any fluids you have with you for your children. Yes, you can bring whatever fluids your child might need (medication, breast milk, fruit pouch, water). Let TSA staff know what kind of fluids you are bringing for your child (fruit pouches, formula...). Afterwards you will just need some additional time to wait for them to do an extra swipe that makes sure there are no explosives.
shoes
You will have to remove your shoes but children 12 years and younger can keep their shoes on.
the snack trick
You need to be prepared to take all your snacks out of your luggage. I have only experienced this two times when flying with my children. But this request seems to be gold standard for TSA agents to avoid slow downs in their screenings. This can be a very annoying experience when you have to scramble to find all the snacks you have crammed into your bags. So to still be the cool organized parent you need to plan ahead. I started to pack snacks for my children in an extra ziplock bag that I can just take out of my bag. Not only is it convenient but I also have an extra plastic/trash bag, and my kids love having their own little food packs that they can explore on the flight.
Everything goes into the ziplock bag. No surprises.
breastmilk and formula
- Just like any other liquid, you have to take it out of your bag and inform a TSA agent about the liquid you are bringing for your child
- Ice packs need to be frozen when you take them through security
baby wearing and baby gear
If you are wearing your baby you might be lucky and the working agent will let you keep your child in the carrier. But they are actually suppose If d to have you take out the child, and carry it through the metal detector. Otherwise all your baby gear, if you gate check, will need to go through the x-ray, what doesn’t fit will be hand checked.
*PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS POST WAS WRITTEN FOR THE US AMERICAN AIRORT SECURITY PROCEDURES
In my experience airport security does not work significantly different in other countries. In most countries you do not have to take off your shoes, except for boots. At the Amsterdam airport children receive a more thorough pad down, but in a very friendly and fun way.
In my experience airport security does not work significantly different in other countries. In most countries you do not have to take off your shoes, except for boots. At the Amsterdam airport children receive a more thorough pad down, but in a very friendly and fun way.
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