Halloween isn’t one of the top holidays for travel, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is offering advice for airline passengers preparing to pass through security checkpoints during spooky season. Globe Aware volunteers might be surprised to know what can and can’t get through security!

TSA Offers Tips and Tricks for Halloween Travelers

By Donald Wood
October 27, 2023
TravelPulse

Halloween isn’t one of the top holidays for travel, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is offering advice for airline passengers preparing to pass through security checkpoints during spooky season.

TSA officials said that while travelers are not permitted to prank security officers, agents will be advised to screen costumed travelers as usual, with all previously prohibited items still applicable at checkpoints.

While costumes are acceptable, masks must be removed and face paint is not recommended, as agents must verify each traveler’s identity. The TSA also asked that capes remain in carry-on bags to avoid triggering the alarms at a checkpoint.

Costume props are important to each ghoul and goblin, but the TSA said fake knives, hatchets, pitchforks, light sabers, brooms, swords and scythes must be placed in checked baggage. Explosive replicas like grenades, bombs or rocket launchers are prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags.

For travelers with a sweet tooth, candy of all sizes is allowed through the checkpoint, but liquid quantities must follow the 3-1-1 rule. The same rule applies to homebrewed potions, gel, cream, paste or fake blood.

As for the passengers daring enough to fly with a pumpkin—decorated or carved—the jack-o-lanterns are permitted, but must be placed inside a carry-on bag.