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TSA Says Sweat Can Trigger Extra Security Checks at U.S. Airports—What to Know
In fact, a passenger who is visibly perspiring might trigger the need for a wand screening or extra pat down, according to a report from CNN .
'Added moisture from a person's body can alter the density of clothing, so it is possible perspiration may cause our Advanced Imaging Technology machines to alarm,' a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson told the network. 'If this occurs, the passenger may need to undergo additional screening, such as a pat-down in the area of the body where the [machine is] alarmed, to ensure there is no threat.'
But while pat downs may make an already stressful environment even more so, security lines at U.S. airports might start to move a little faster now that the TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they pass through security. And that change may leave travelers with a lot less to sweat about.
'Ending the 'Shoes-Off' policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation's airports,' Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. 'We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.'
Noem added: "Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards."
A week after that announcement, Noem said she had started "questioning" the TSA's current liquid limitations in carry-on bags. But despite her comments, it may actually be years before travelers can take large liquids with them. Currently, travelers must limit liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols in their carry-on luggage to 3.4 ounces or less and store them in a quart-sized resealable bag, which may need to be placed separately in a bin.
Travelers who are part of the agency's expedited security screening program TSA PreCheck are also limited to 3.4-ounces, but they are not required to remove liquids from their luggage during screening. Similarly, these travelers were not required to remove their shoes during security screening even before the new rule went into effect.
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A grand Kennebunkport Inn reopens, and a belt breezes through TSA
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Buzz Feed
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Pick one or the other and commit to the decision).Promising review: 'You need these if you travel! If you are like me, trying to find a way to organize a suitcase can seem like quite the struggle. I feel like I need to pack my entire life in my suitcase, even for short vacations, or I feel like I'm under-packed. My biggest problem is keeping categories organized. With these organizers, you can easily store all your belongings in an organized fashion. Everything stays in place even if you check your bag (suitcases get thrown around, and usually, my clothes are a mess). These also helped me pack more as the cubes condensed after zipping. I won't travel without these organizers ever again. In fact, I will most likely be buying more! Do yourself a favor and buy some for yourself. Great price point and great quality!' —Yvette BillingGet them from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 11 colors and patterns; also available in four additional configurations). 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The straps are very, very comfortable, and the bag is sturdy and durable yet soft and comfy to wear for extended periods. I loved the color, almost periwinkle, but if I were to buy this bag again, I'd get a darker color to better withstand the inevitable dirt/marks from air/car/bus travel. This bag kept clothes, a blanket, money, electronics, and everything dry in rainy Ireland, snowy Germany, and a few downpours in Italy. There was a strap on the back that was perfect for the handle of my wheeled carry-on, and the weight distribution was such that the entire setup didn't tip over. I would almost call this bag indispensable!' —Mandi in VA Get it from Amazon for $22.79+ (available in four sizes and multiple colors and styles). 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I have weighed suitcases up to 55 pounds/25 kilograms, but any more than that, and it's hard to pick up the suitcase and hold it far enough away from your body and the ground to get an accurate thing will cost a few ounces in weight to carry with you but will save you money when you get to the check-in counter at the airport because you've already packed and repacked your bags to be perfectly within weight limits.' —AK Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in six colors; also available as a two-pack in the color Ash Silver). A pair of super comfy sneakers because when you're off having all sorts of fabulous adventures, the last thing you want to worry about is aching feet. Not only are these sneakers lightweight and supportive, they're also — key point! — cute. Bonus: Since they've got slip-on styling, they're also the ideal airport shoe. Promising review: 'Best overall travel shoes! I purchased these for my trip to Italy and I was pleasantly impressed at how well these shoes held up. These were the only shoes I wore through Roma and through the Tuscany region. I logged 73,000 steps, 56 flights of stairs and inclines, and 33 miles with these. They are comfortable, lightweight, and supportive. Even through the cobbled streets of Rome!' —Pam Caffery Get them from Amazon for $37.19+ (available in women's sizes 6–10 and in 14 colors). A travel jewelry organizer that'll keep all your pretties and shinies corralled, untangled, and safe when you're on the move. This pick features tons of pockets, an earring panel, necklace clips, and more — and since it lays super flat when it's closed up and zippered shut, it'll take up next to no room in your luggage. Promising review: 'A travel must! This is a game-changer. The size is perfect. It doesn't take up much room in your suitcase. I took seven necklaces on vacation, none of them tangled. 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My own blanket is seriously one of my must-haves for travel; I never leave for a trip without it." —xio13t5yGet it from TravelTubeBlankets on Etsy for $95.69 (also available in numerous other colors and patterns for $59.50+). A three-pack of Tide To-Go pens so you can stop stains in their tracks no matter where in the world you are — literally. With this li'l guy tucked in your bag, you can yank it out the second a mess happens, scribble on the splotch, and watch it vanish right before your very eyes. Magic? Maybe not, but it sure feels like it sometimes! Promising review: 'When these first came out, I was skeptical. Now I'm a believer! Always had one in my desk at work. Now I have one with me whenever I travel. If I've worn something for just a couple of hours for dinner and gotten a few drops of coffee on it, I can't see sending the garment to the hotel laundry. I just use my Tide Pen. Works great on men's ties. At first, it looks like nothing's happening, but keep working it and suddenly, the spot magically disappears! It helps to put a tissue or paper towel behind the area you're cleaning. They take out just about anything and don't leave a ring like my prior spot-cleaning efforts did. The pens are small, so they're not practical for huge stains, but for small mishaps, they're amazing.' —GlamGalLovesStuffGet a three-pack from Amazon for $5.99. A large-capacity hanging toiletry bag that packs tons of storage space into a surprisingly small footprint. Deceptively compact when it's zipped closed, it opens up to reveal two huge compartments and two smaller pockets, so you can fit literally anything you might want. Then it all folds up neatly again, taking up only minimal space in your bag. There are two schools of thought when it comes to packing for trips: Pack as light as possible or BRING ALL THE THINGS. If you're a light packer, you may not need something with this much space — but if you're a BRING ALL THE THINGS person, this is the toiletry bag for you. Promising review: 'A TRAVEL MUST-HAVE. I was looking for a toiletry bag where I could fit all my toiletries plus my makeup in one place. THIS IS THE ONE. Everything fits, and it helps me stay organized when I travel. I can't imagine traveling without it now. Bonus for all the color options they have! I have both the medium and large. I recommend the medium for a carry-on suitcase. The large in a carry-on takes up half of one side.' —BrendaGet it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two sizes and 13 colors). A sleek and compact pill carrying case, so you can stay on top of your meds while you're away without wasting tons of luggage space on individual containers. This pick has a removable divider, so you can either split its space into four compartments or just use it as one big one; it also fastens shut super securely — and it's surprisingly pretty, too. This is the pill carrier I use when I'm on the road — or in the air, or, y'know, anywhere other than home (banana for scale). I've got a couple of medications I need to take daily (talk about a literal can't-travel-without-it situation!), so in order to avoid having to carry a whole bunch of bottles with me, I decant what I need into the four little compartments here and chuck the case in my backpack. It keeps things safe, secure, and all in one place. Also, I… really like its aesthetics. I know, I know — 'aesthetic' is not a necessity for medication storage, but it doesn't hurt that this thing is nice to look at, too. It's the little things, you know?(Heads up, though, that if you take prescription meds and you're traveling internationally by air, you usually need to keep everything in their original bottles for airport security — so bear that in mind when considering pill cases of all varieties.)Promising review: 'Great pill organizer! Fits perfectly in my carry-on pouch. It has four slots, which don't mix up the tablets in case you accidentally shake or flip them. This travel case has a great lock so your tablets won't spill. For me, I've put antihistamine tablets for allergy days, daily multivitamins, pain reliever tablets, and caffeine tablets for midday sleepiness. I just bring this with me at all times in case I need it.' —HenryGet it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in nine colors; also available in a larger, six-compartment size and in multi-packs). A beverage and drink holder that slips right over your suitcase handle, because there is no greater tragedy than a fallen cup of coffee while you're trying to make an early morning flight. With this handy pick, though, you'll be able to keep your drink secure and your hands free — no more lost or wasted caffeine! Promising review: 'Made my travel SO much easier!! Wow, what a difference this made while traveling. Kept my hands free, and I didn't have to keep going in my purse/backpack for phone, travel documents, or passport. I will not travel without it. I bought it on a whim but didn't realize how much I really needed it. I kept it on my carry-on, and it was no issue at all when boarding the plane to remove it (with a line of people behind me waiting for me to put my carry-on in overhead container). I just took out my drink and slipped it up and off the handle. There is a velcro strip in between the cup folders, but I found it very easy to slip it on and off. I also was concerned about items falling out…nope. No issue whatsoever. My passport, papers, phone were all secured.' —LisalouRN Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 25 colors and patterns). A roomy yet compact cable and electronics organizer, because when you're on the move, no one wants to waste time untangling your phone charger from your laptop cord from your tablet charger from your…well, you get the idea. This zippered case solves that problem by packing tons of pockets and organizer bands to keep everything from cables to USB drives neat and tidy — and, crucially, easy to find. Promising review: 'Took this on a trip to Bali, and it was really a lifesaver. It was so easy to find my cords and have everything so neat. It was something I never knew I needed but now will absolutely never go anywhere without it.' —Daniela Amao Get it from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in three sizes and 23 colors). A unique camera bag for the jet-setting photographer that'll make carting around all your gear super easy and safe, thanks to the anti-theft buckles. With space for lenses, a tripod, and more, and easy access via two side panels and a front panel, this sling-style bag can't wait to help you get the perfect shot. Promising review: 'Very awesome bag. I have traveled with it to so many parts around the world, from the Cook Islands to Mexico to the Carlsbad Caverns, to name a few spots, and it's always protected my DSLR and lenses. Plenty of room for batteries, etc. Also has a bottom strap for a tripod.' —Michael Soto Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors). A little foot hammock to keep you comfortable on even the longest of flights. Hang this unexpectedly useful travel gadget off your tray table, and get ready to put your feet up — literally. Flying coach has never been this luxe. Promising review: 'Game-changer for air travel! I will never fly again without this. I've recommended it to everyone. East Coast USA to Southeast Asia, 24 hours in long-haul flights each way with a serious lower back pain condition to start. But being able to hang my legs, even in a sideways position, saved me from hours of pain that I had endured previously flying in economy leg room. So easy to loop over tray table brackets in both the stowed and open position. This is a must-have for any flight.' —DL FlinGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available individually or in two- or four-packs). A Sea Band or two, because you deserve to travel without nausea. Just strap one of these wristbands on and let it work its charms on your pressure points. YMMV, but for many, they're a boon when it comes to staving off motion-induced ickiness. Promising review: 'Worked great! I had to take a nonstop flight across the US, and I really dreaded the turbulence and air sickness I usually feel on these trips. I don't like taking medication, so I found an article about these bands, so I thought I would give them a try. They are simply amazing! I did not expect them to work as well as they had; I will never travel without them again.' —Charity Rue Get a pair from Amazon for $8.27+ (available in six colors) And a discreet money belt, so you can keep your focus on the sights in front of you instead of on the safety of your extra cash and passport. Wouldn't you rather spend your trip marveling at the pyramids or oooh-ing and aaah-ing at the Mona Lisa than constantly fighting the urge to check your pockets? With two pockets complete with RFID protection and a non-bulky design, this money belt straps securely around you and under your clothes where no one will ever know you're wearing it. review: 'Won't travel without it again! We just finished an around the world trip. This money belt went through 18 airports, probably 25 security checks. It never set off an alarm. After six weeks and 40,000 miles, it looks as good as it did when we started our trip. I had one and my fiancé had one. I used mine as my jeans belt with longish T-shirts so it couldn't be seen. My fiancé had his under all his clothing. I kept only money in mine. He kept his passport, money and credit cards in his. We'd take them off and put them right into the safe in our hotel room. Perfect!' —ChazGet it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four colors)
