Can TSA pat-down minors?

TSA has modified screening procedures for children 12 and under that reduce the likelihood of pat-down screening. Read about the screening process if you are traveling with children. For travelers 13 years and older, TSA's standard screening procedures apply.



People Also Ask

Screening your Child
  • Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening.
  • Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
  • Remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in arms through the walk-through metal detector.


MORE DETAILS

Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. If they alarm, children are allowed multiple passes through screening technologies and may undergo other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down.

MORE DETAILS

Children between the ages of 13 and 17 who will be traveling on the same reservation as an enrolled parent or guardian may also access the TSA PreCheck® lanes, provided the children have the TSA PreCheck® indicator on their boarding pass.

MORE DETAILS

A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, they need to have this written permission.

MORE DETAILS

As one of many security measures, pat-down procedures are used to determine if prohibited items or other threats to transportation security are concealed on the person.

MORE DETAILS

Solid foods, including peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, are allowed in carry-on bags with no quantity limitations or packing requirements.

MORE DETAILS

Children ages 2 to 14 can travel as an accompanied minor with someone 16 years or older. Reservations must be made over the phone at 1-800-433-7300.

MORE DETAILS

It's called the 3-1-1 rule because your liquids must be no more than 3.4 ounces (that's the 3), they have to fit into 1-quart bags (there's the 1) and you're only allowed one (that's the final 1) of the bags.

MORE DETAILS

Re: Husband traveling with breastmilk The TSA rules are that as long as your liquid is as frozen as a block of ice, it can pass through the TSA screening. The specific wording is: Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening.

MORE DETAILS

Airlines allow baby food, formula, and breast milk in a carry-on bag, but the TSA has a 3-1-1 rule for liquids, including all baby food items. Each passenger is allowed 3.4 ounces or less of liquid, gel, or aerosol products per container, and all containers must fit in one clear, quart-size bag per person.

MORE DETAILS

A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, they need to have this written permission.

MORE DETAILS

For domestic flights, children under 18 typically do not need personal identification. The ID of the accompanying responsible adult will suffice.

MORE DETAILS

If you don't have any acceptable alternate form of ID, a TSA employee will ask you to complete an identity verification process by filling out a TSA Form 415, also known as a Certification of Identity form. It asks for your full name, current address, signature and date.

MORE DETAILS

Can I bring my spouse through the TSA PreCheck lane? Technically your spouse can't go through the TSA PreCheck lane without their own account. In some instances, however, security may allow them through when it's clear that their boarding passes match yours as the primary account holder.

MORE DETAILS