Tips for Traveling with Children
Every person, regardless of age, must undergo screening to proceed beyond the security checkpoint. Even babies must be individually screened. You will not be asked to do anything that will separate you from your child or children.
Screeners are specially trained and understand your concerns regarding travel with children. Your children will be approached gently and treated with respect. If your child becomes uncomfortable or upset, you will be consulted about the best approach to resolving your child's concern.
X-Ray
- All carry-on baggage, including children's bags and items, must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: diaper bags, blankets, and toys.
- All baby travel gear that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: strollers, umbrella strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings.
- When traveling with children and you arrive at the checkpoint, you should collapse or fold baby travel gear and secure items that are in the pockets, baskets, or attached to the equipment. You will place these items on the X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items.
- When baby travel gear does not fit through the X-ray machine, the equipment must be visually and physically inspected.
- Ask screeners for assistance to help reunite you with your bags and baby travel gear, if needed.
ALERT! Babies should NEVER be left in an infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine.
For information regarding what is permitted or prohibited from being in carry-on luggage while traveling with children, please refer to our
prohibited items section.
The Walk Through Metal Detector
When traveling with children, the screener will need to resolve the alarm for both adult and child if something sets off the alarm as you are carrying a child through the metal detector.
- Babies and children must be removed from their strollers or infant carriers so they can be individually screened.
- You may not pass the child to another person behind you or in front of you during this process.
- Do not pass your child to the screener to hold.
- The screener may ask for your assistance with secondary screening of your child.
- If your child can walk unassisted, it would be best to have the child walk through the metal detector independently.
Traveling with Children with Disabilities
If you are treveling with children that have disabilities, screeners may ask you what abilities your child has in order to determine the best method for screening (e.g. carry the child through the walk-through metal detector, hand-wand procedure).
If your child you are traveling with has a disability, screeners will never attempt to remove the child from his or her equipment. This will only be done at the discretion of the accompanying adult.
Tips for Traveling with Children
TIPS: Before you reach the airport
- When traveling with children, please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children.
- Call your airline or travel agent for information on recommended check-in times for your departure airport.
- Talk to your children before coming to the airport and let them know that it's against the law to make threats such as, "I have a bomb in my bag." Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can result in the entire family being delayed and could result in fines.
TIPS: At the airport
- Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them to not joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.
- Advise your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.
- Let your children know that a screener may ask to see Mom or Dad's shoes, but that these too will be returned after the inspection.
- You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child.
SOURCE: Transportation Security Administration & U.S. Department of Homeland Security Copyright © 2003 Transportation Security Administration. All rights reserved.
My Cart
