The App All Travelers Need to Download

If you read yesterday’s tip on how to avoid the chaos at Maui ‘s airport, then you already know to download this all-important app. 

The MyTSA app is one resource that even frequent travelers don’t realize is available right at their fingertips. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has had this handy free app for both Android and iOS for a few years and it allows travelers to:

-Check the delay information and current weather conditions at your favorite airports nationwide.

-Check how busy the airport is likely to be on your specific day and time of travel based on historical data. (See screenshot below)

-Consult the TSA Guide on how to prepare for and get through the security checkpoint quickly.

-Discover which airports and airlines support TSA Pre✓, and learn how to sign-up.

-Quickly search which items you can bring with you through the checkpoint onto the airplane.

My favorite service that they offer is @AskTSA, which is live assistance that you can access via their social media integration with Twitter and Facebook Messenger. Shockingly, they respond extremely quickly during work hours (8am to 8pm EST on weekdays and 9am to 7pm EST on weekends).

For example, one question that was asked at the time of this publication was: “@TSA
can I take my chicken eggs on the plane? I’d like to know before 2 dozen eggs get trashed. I will be very sad.” It took them just 10 minutes for them to answer on Twitter. See below:

Thanks for reaching out! Fresh eggs are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. For more info, pls visit: https://t.co/feBdT5fPVt

— AskTSA (@AskTSA) August 3, 2022

There are times when frequent fliers like myself find ourselves wondering if we can bring something on a plane. For example, the first time we traveled with our son, my wife asked if we could bring more than 3.4 ounces of baby formula. I had no idea. I was going to send a tweet to @AskTSA but it was after hours so I searched their app under the “Can I Bring” tab, located at the bottom of the app. Sure enough, they had the answer to my question.

FYI: “Formula, breast milk and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You do not need to travel with your child to bring breast milk. Please see traveling with children for more information.”

If you’re ever wondering about what items or foods you can travel with, especially over the holidays, know you can always ask the TSA in advance. BTW: You can bring cakes, pies, bread, donuts, fruits, vegetables, turkeys, etc. Gravy is prohibited from carry-on bags unless you pack it in accordance with the TSA liquid policy. If you really need to, you can also pack it in your checked baggage.

But more importantly, with all the chaos plaguing airports right now, the MyTSA app will provide you with extremely valuable information about flights delays and how busy the airport is to help you better plan your travels and have a less stressful, more enjoyable experience.

Hope this helps the next time you travel!