If you’ve ever found yourself holding up the airport security line while scrambling to dig out your liquids bag or laptop… you’re not alone.
Most packing mistakes aren’t intentional—they’re just common oversights that lead to delays, stress, or worse: your carry-on being flagged and unpacked for everyone to see.
The good news? A few smart tweaks can make a huge difference.
Here are the 9 packing mistakes I see most often—and the easy fixes that will help you breeze through TSA like a pro.
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1. Overpacking to the Point Your Bag Becomes a Brick
If your carry-on is so tightly packed it could double as a kettlebell, we’ve got a problem.
Overstuffed bags are harder to scan and way more likely to get pulled for manual inspection.
Real Travel Scenario (happened to me)
I once had a bunch of bobby pins clumped together at the bottom of a jam-packed bag. The scanner couldn’t tell what it was—it just showed up as a dense, suspicious blob.
Another time, I tossed in jewelry without organizing it, and it looked like a metal nest on the scanner—cue the bag check.
Pro tips:
- Use a travel jewelry organizer or a simple pill case.
- For cords, avoid the “tech spaghetti” mess. Try a cord wrap or just bring fewer—USB-C for everything is a game-changer.
- Packing cubes keep things neat, but don’t compress thick fabrics like wool too tightly—dense blocks can trigger scans too.
2. Forgetting to Separate Your Liquids
Yes, the 3-1-1 rule still applies: 3.4 oz (100ml) or less per container, inside a single clear quart-sized bag—and you need to take it out unless you have TSA PreCheck or Nexus.
How to fix it:
- Pack your liquids bag in an outer pocket or right on top of your personal item for easy access.
- Don’t forget about sneaky liquids like face mist or lip gloss—they count too!
3. Packing Things You Didn’t Realize Aren’t Allowed
Sometimes it’s not what you pack—it’s what you don’t realize you can’t bring.
Real scenarios of this happening:
- I’ve seen people lose tins of sardines coming back from Portugal because they were over 100g and counted as liquids.
- One time I packed a wine bottle stopper—it got flagged because it looked like a weapon on the scanner.
- I even got stopped once because I had a foam sock bun in my hair. TSA had to squeeze it to confirm it wasn’t something dangerous!
Tips:
- Pack souvenirs near the top of your bag so TSA doesn’t have to dig.
- Snow globes are only allowed if they’re smaller than 100ml (about tennis ball size).
- Use the TSA “What Can I Bring?” tool—it’s genuinely helpful.
4. Burying Your Electronics
If you don’t have PreCheck, you’ll usually need to remove laptops and sometimes tablets at security.
If yours is buried under sweaters and snacks, you’re guaranteed to slow down the line.
Smart strategies:
- Place laptops and tablets near the top of your bag or in a separate tech sleeve.
- Spare lithium batteries? Pull them out ahead of time—they often get flagged.
- Consider putting all your electronics (chargers, earbuds, power banks, Kindle, etc.) in a clear zip-top bag for easy grab-and-go.
Bonus tip:
If you have to take off your shoes, send them through the scanner last.
That way, you’re less likely to forget something important—like your laptop—while rushing to put them back on.
5. Using the Wrong Bag for Airport Travel
The bag you travel with makes a huge difference at security.
My go-to airport travel bag:
I love the Nomad Lane Bento Bag. It’s designed specifically for air travel—with features that actually make your life easier:
- Quick-access laptop compartment
- Removable toiletry pouch
- A hidden pocket to stash your phone after scanning your boarding pass
- Interior key leash, front pocket for pens, earbuds, passport—you name it
I just unzip the laptop section, pop out my toiletry case, and I’m good to go.
It’s fast, organized, and stress-free.
6. Assuming All Rules Are the Same
Not all airports—or security lanes—are created equal.
Real story:
On a layover at Charles de Gaulle (Paris), my hair straightener got flagged.
I’ve flown with it dozens of times, but their scanners needed a manual check.
Airports around the world have different technology, procedures, and even rules depending on the day.
Reminder:
- Rules can change. What flew out of JFK might not fly out of Lisbon.
- Screening procedures can shift during the day depending on alerts or issues.
- The final decision is always up to the TSA agent.
So be prepared—and kind.
7. Wrapping Gifts Before Flying
Tempting, but risky. TSA will absolutely unwrap anything they can’t identify.
What to do instead:
- Travel with gifts unwrapped or use a gift bag.
- Wrap them when you arrive—it’ll save you stress and your wrapping job.
8. Packing Foods That Confuse the Scanner
Yes, you can bring food—but dense, paste-like, or liquid-heavy items often don’t scan well.
What gets flagged:
- Cheese blocks
- Peanut butter or dips
- Salads with pooled dressing
Pro tip:
Stick to dry snacks like crackers, granola bars, trail mix.
If you’re bringing food with moisture (like hummus), keep it under 3.4 oz and pack it in your liquids bag.
9. Carrying More Bags Than You’re Allowed
TSA won’t stop you for too many bags—but your airline might.
Why it matters:
- You might get stopped at the gate for having a roller, a tote, a backpack, and a purse.
- If your bags don’t fit into the bin properly at security, it slows down the process for everyone.
How to fix it:
- Know your airline’s bag allowance.
- Use compression bags or packing cubes to consolidate.
- Choose a personal item bag that’s truly functional and holds your essentials.