Travel Tips: The TSA and Children

TSA is required to screen everyone, regardless of age, in order to ensure the security of all travelers. Many Transportation Security Officers are parents themselves and understand travelers’ concern for their children. Security officers will approach children gently and treat them with respect. If a child becomes uncomfortable or upset, security officers will consult parents about the best way to relieve the child's concern.

Screening procedures for passengers 12 and under include:

Allowing children 12 and under to leave their shoes on.

Allowing multiple passes through the walk through metal detector and advanced imaging technology to clear any alarms on children.

Using explosives trace detection technology on a wider basis to resolve alarms on children.

General Screening Information

Children 12 and under can leave their shoes on during screening.

TSA will not ask travelers to do anything that will separate them from their child.

Passengers cannot leave babies in an infant carrier and attempt to put it through the X-ray machine.  Babies should be carried through a walk through metal detector by a parent or guardian.

All carry-on baggage, including children's toys, bags and items, will be screened. Please let your child know that their blanket, favorite stuffed animal or toy will have to go through the X-ray machine and then will be returned to them.

All child-related equipment that can fit through the X-ray machine should go through the X-ray machine. 

Examples include: strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings.

If possible, please collapse or fold strollers and any other child-related equipment while in the queue. Please put any items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or in the bin X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items.

If any equipment will not fit through the X-ray machine, security officers will visually and physically inspect it.

Ask a security officer for help gathering bags and equipment, if needed.

The Walk-Through Metal Detector
Children who can walk without assistance should walk through the metal detector separately from their parent or guardian. If they alarm, TSA has procedures in place that have reduced, but will not eliminate, the need for pat downs to resolve the alarm, including multiple passes through screening technologies and other procedures.

Infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector, but if the alarm sounds, the officer will have to conduct additional screening on both the passenger and the child. If a baby is carried through the metal detector in a sling, additional screening may be required even if there isn’t an alarm.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com