Boise TSA gives end-of-year travel tips and advice on traveling with food

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the Boise Airport is anticipating a surge of travelers during the Christmas and end-of-year holiday travel season. The TSA is projecting travel volumes during the holiday season will average around 90 percent of 2019 pre-pandemic volumes.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the Boise Airport is anticipating a surge of travelers during the Christmas and end-of-year holiday travel season.

The TSA is projecting travel volumes during the holiday season will average around 90 percent of 2019 pre-pandemic volumes.

Travel volumes at Boise are expected to be greater than 2019 pre-pandemic levels. A spokesperson says the busiest days nationally and locally are expected to be Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, Sunday, Jan.2, and Monday, Jan 3.

The busiest times of day at the BOI security checkpoints are generally 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.; 10 a.m. to noon; and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"We encourage all travelers to come to the airport early and be well prepared for the security checkpoint. This will ensure the smoothest possible start to your holiday travels and will allow our security officers to deliver world-class customer service and a superior security experience in the most efficient manner," said Andrew Coose, TSA Federal Security Director for Idaho.

The TSA also wanted to offer the following advice for traveling with food:

  • If it’s a solid item, then it can go through a checkpoint in a carry-on.
  • If you can spread it, spill it, pump it or pour it - and it’s larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) - then it should travel in a checked bag
  • TSA recommends placing food items in clear plastic bags or other containers when packing them at home and then removing those items from your carry-on bag and placing them in a bin for screening at the checkpoint.

Foods that can be carried through a TSA checkpoint:

  • Baked goods. Pies, bread, cakes, cookies, brownies, and other sweet treats.
  • Meats. Ham, turkey, chicken, steak. Frozen, cooked, or uncooked.
  • Stuffing. Cooked, uncooked, in a box or in a bag.
  • Casseroles. Dishes like Mac ‘n Cheese can be prepared and ready to be warmed at your destination.
  • Fresh vegetables. Potatoes, yams, broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, beets, radishes, carrots, squash, and greens.
  • Fresh fruit. Apples, pears, pineapple, lemons, limes, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and bananas.
  • Chocolates and other candies.
  • Spices and powdered mixes.

Foods that should be carefully packed with your checked baggage (if more than 3.4 oz):

  • Sauces. Any type of home-cooked or canned sauces are spreadable, so check them.
  • Gravy. Homemade or in a jar/can.
  • Drinks. Wine, champagne, spirits, and sparkling cider.
  • Canned fruits or vegetables. It’s got liquid in the can, so they need to be checked.
  • Preserves, jams, and jellies. They are spreadable, so best to check them.
  • Soups and syrups.

As a reminder, it is important to remember food safety by storing food properly while traveling. If you need to keep items cold during your trip, ice packs are permissible, but they must be frozen solid and not melted when they go through the security screening process.

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