TSA offers tips for flying during pandemic

As the number of travelers choosing to fly has plunged, individuals continue to use air travel as a means to get from point A to point B. As a result, the Transportation Security Administration has issued a number of tips for travelers who must fly:

• Bring hand sanitizer with you — TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces, per passenger in carry-on bags. Since the containers exceed the standard 3.4-ounce allowance, they will need to be screened separately and will add some time to the checkpoint screening experience. All other liquids must adhere to the typical allowance.
• Bring alcohol or anti-bacterial wipes with you — TSA said travelers are allowed to bring individually-packaged alcohol or anti-bacterial wipes in carry-on or checked bags. Jumbo containers of hand wipes also are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.
• Wear a mask – Travelers are allowed to wear masks during the security screening processing, but a TSA officer may ask the traveler to adjust the mask to visually confirm their identity during the document checking process.
• Don’t panic if your license expired on or after March 1 — If you were unable to renew your driver’s license or other state-issued identification after March 1, you are allowed to use it as acceptable identification at the security checkpoint. TSA will accept expired IDs a year after expiration or for 60 days during the pandemic. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security has announced an extension of time to obtain the REAL ID-compliant driver’s license until Oct. 1, 2021.
• Place items you would typically carry in your pockets in your carry-on bag — Before going through the TSA checkpoint, place items from your pockets into your carry-on to avoid putting them in the bins.
• Continue to wash your hands — TSA recommends washing your hands before and after going through the security checkpoint.

Experts say passenger traffic likely will decline by nearly 40 percent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with revenue expected to contract by $77 billion in 2020.

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