RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Are you traveling via plane this holiday season? The Transportation Safety Administration wants to make sure you soar through the Reno-Tahoe International Airport at ease.
The official end-of-the-year holiday travel season is projected to start roughly around Dec. 15 and continue through the beginning of the new year.
With more than usual passengers, the number one rule you should follow is arriving early and giving yourself plenty of time to navigate through the airport.
The busiest times at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport’s security checkpoints range from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to noon. Due to several flights departing in the late afternoon, travelers can expect an increase in the number of people who need to be screened between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
TSA recommends travelers be aware of the content of each carry-on bag to ensure everything packed inside is permitted to be carried onto a flight. The best way to pack for a trip is to fully unpack the bag before you pack it.
By starting with an empty bag, the traveler knows with certainty what’s inside and that there’s nothing prohibited in a side pouch, zippered pocket or stuck in the bottom of the back.
Two of the most common prohibited items TSA officers encounter are liquids, gels and aerosols in excess of 3.4 ounces and knives. Since 2006, TSA has limited the amount of liquids, gels and aerosols a traveler can bring onboard an airplane. Any liquid in a quantity larger than 3.4 ounces such as lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock should be placed in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must ravel with them, they must be placed in your checked bag.
If possible, make sure your bags are packed neatly. Cluttered bags often lead to a bag check since the TSA officer is unable to get a clear view of contents inside on the X-ray screen. If you’re going through a standard screening lane, place your electronics larger than a cell phone on top of the bag so they can quickly be accessed during the checkpoint screening and placed in a bin.
During the screening process, travelers are reminded to remove items from their pockets such as phones, keys or loose change. These items should be secured in your carry-on bags instead of placing them in bins. This simple step will prevent items from being left behind and ending up in the lost and found.
