Holiday Travel Tips

Holiday Travel Tips from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to help speed your way through airport security:

1. Don't gift-wrap carry-on items. Security officers are required to remove it. Wrapped gifts should be packed in your checked bags.

2. Don't bring remote-controlled toys as carry-on luggage. You can put them in checked bags.

3. Pies (and other food like gingerbread, cookies, etc.) are permitted as carry-on items.

4. Jams and jellies are considered gels and are therefore subject to the 3-1-1 rules if brought as carry-on items. They must be in containers no bigger than 3 ounces, and they must all fit in one 1-quart clear zip-top plastic bag. Otherwise, wrap them carefully to prevent breakage and put them in your checked bags.

5. Every airport with more than one security lane now has a designated 'family lane', but you don't need to be traveling with children to use it. These lanes are open to anyone who doesn't want to be rushed and just wants a few more minutes to remove shoes and coats or deal with other items. Travelers carrying medically necessary liquids of more than 3 ounces should also use the family lanes. And some good news for the future: Checkpoint X-ray machines are being upgraded with advanced technology that can distinguish between liquid explosives and beverages, so they're considering making changes some time next year on the ban on liquids over 3 ounces.