Flying with presents

[kato0627]

Is is true that I can not go through security with wrapped gifts?? I would hate for the TSA people to pull out the kids gifts and unwrap them right in front of their eyes
Nothing that will be wrapped should set of any red flags, all little electronics.
Thanks

 

[firecracker725]

Yes, it is true that you cannot have wrapped gifts in your luggage. I almost missed a flight once because they made me unwrap something.

 

[Jestocost]

We put our gifts through unwrapped and separately pack pre-cut wrapping paper and tape.

 

[DebbieB]

Is is true that I can not go through security with wrapped gifts?? I would hate for the TSA people to pull out the kids gifts and unwrap them right in front of their eyes
Nothing that will be wrapped should set of any red flags, all little electronics.
Thanks

Little electronics could be suspicious, they could be bombs. That's why they want laptops going through separate, to get a good view.

It's not automatic that they will unwrap them but if they see them on the scan and think they might be suspicious, they will unwrap them. Your best bet is to pack the wrapping paper and do the wrapping at your destination.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/holiday.shtm

Remember! – While wrapped gifts are not prohibited, if a bag alarms our security officers may have to unwrap a gift to take a closer look inside. We recommend passengers wrap gifts after their flight or ship them ahead of time, to avoid the possibility of having to open them during the screening process.

 

[goofy4tink]

Keep those gifts unwrapped!! They can be unwrapped at security. Better to just leave them unwrapped, and unlooked at, than to wrap them and have them unwrapped in front of the kiddos.
As someone mentioned, bring along precut wrapping paper and tape...then wrap them up elsewhere...once through security.

 

[NotUrsula]

Put all of the gift stuff in your carryon, and make an excuse about forgetting something, etc. in order to send your kids through security with your other adult; tell them that you will meet them at the gate. This way you can hang back 40 people or so and if something is taken out for inspection your children won't see it.

When you get to your destination you can use your pre-cut wrapping paper and your handy-dandy roll of scotch tape to wrap the gifts.

 

[tjmw2727]

From the TSA website, second paragraph addresses your question.

"Holiday Travel Tips
Travelers should remember the three simple steps to security: have ID’s out, coats and shoes off, and laptops and 311 bags out for screening. TSA reminds travelers to follow 3–1–1 for carry-on luggage for non-exempt
liquids: 3 ounce bottle or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols; placed in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to hold all small bottles; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. The limitations on liquids apply only to carry-on bags and larger quantities may be packed in checked baggage.


TSA also recommends that passengers do not travel with wrapped packages. In order to determine if the contents of a package are a threat, a security officer may need to unwrap and inspect the item. Snow globes of any size are not permitted in carry-on bags because officers cannot accurately determine the volume of liquid. TSA recommends passengers pack these items securely in checked baggage.

Food items such as pies and cakes are permitted but may require further inspection. If travelers are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel it is best to pack the item in checked baggage or ship it to a destination in advance.

TSA reminds travelers to be vigilant during the holiday travel season by reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement. The traveling public plays an important role in security, so “If You See Something, Say Something.”

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/1114.shtm

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

The first year that DD had moved away from home, she packed wrapped gifts in her suitcase. He bag was opened by TSA for inspection, and they ripped off the wrappings of all her gifts. Left the ripped paper in the suitcase, too. Nasty surprise when she arrived home!