Are you or someone you know traveling this week or in 2026? If yes, then you will want to know the TSA ‘best tip’ they just shared on X (formerly Twitter).
@TSA: If you’re traveling this week, here’s our best tip: Make sure to have an acceptable form of ID and have it in a place that’s easily accessible when you arrive at the checkpoint. Check our full list of acceptable forms of ID at: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
If you’re traveling this week, here’s our best tip: Make sure to have an acceptable form of ID, and in a place that’s easily accessible, when you arrive at the checkpoint.
Check our full list of acceptable forms of ID list at: https://t.co/MKXemtLzLj pic.twitter.com/9WPhdCkknf
— TSA (@TSA) December 23, 2025
Of course, road warriors will yawn at this tip since they already know to have either a Real ID, passport or another acceptable form of identification and to keep it in a handy place as they approach the security checkpoint. It’s never fun, especially when you’re running late for a flight, to have travelers in front of you who either don’t know the drill or just don’t care that they’re wasting everyone’s time.
In addition to having an acceptable form of ID ready, I highly suggest taking everything out of your pants or shorts pockets and putting it either in your jacket pockets, carry-on or purse before placing items on the conveyor belt.
The most important thing is not to just leave your belongings on the belt. Push them into the machine and if the TSA agents say they will do it, stay and watch to make sure they or another passenger doesn’t grab something. This happened to me last week while going through security at LAX’s Terminal 4 (American Airlines). The agents looked at me like I was disrespecting them, which I wasn’t, but when you travel these days, sadly you can’t trust many people.
Having items stolen is rare but it does happen. You can read about this highly publicized incident here or watch the embedded video below.
In the US, airport security agents are caught on camera stealing from passengers’ bags at Miami Intl Airport — a horrible exploitation of the way in which security is implemented (and how bags are often sent through much faster than passengers) pic.twitter.com/yZP2GIKxEu
— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) September 14, 2023
I know most frequent travelers already do this, but it never hurts to be reminded. A few simple habits at the checkpoint can make a stressful travel day a lot smoother for you and everyone behind you.