Items Travelers Should Avoid Placing Loose in TSA Bins

Airport security checkpoints can be hectic, and it is easy for travelers to misplace important belongings while moving through the screening line.

The Transportation Security Administration estimates that tens of thousands of items are left behind at security checkpoints each month. Travel experts say one way to reduce the risk is to avoid placing small or valuable items loose in TSA bins.

Items such as wallets, cash, passports, IDs and cell phones should be secured inside a carry-on bag before going through the X-ray machine. Phones are especially vulnerable because they are often used while waiting in line and then quickly tossed into a bin.

Travelers should also avoid placing watches, jewelry, glasses, headphones and other small personal items loose in bins, where they can be forgotten, damaged or knocked out of sight. Spare lithium batteries and portable power banks should remain properly packed in carry-on luggage, as loose batteries can create a safety risk.

Toiletries should be kept in a sturdy, clear quart-sized bag when required, rather than a flimsy plastic bag that can tear or spill during screening.

Experts also note that TSA bins are handled by thousands of passengers and may carry germs, making it best to keep personal items like neck pillows, glasses and headphones off the bin surface whenever possible.

The bottom line for travelers: before reaching the scanner, secure important items inside your carry-on and keep the bin limited to items that truly need to be screened separately.