- The reason for airport security alarms is an outdated fashion choice
- Body scanners are not programmed for this type of pants
- A record 7.5 million people are expected to take to the skies over the holidays
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently revealed which type of pants are most likely to trigger airport alarms before holiday flight traffic rushes.
To the surprise of many travelers, the reason for the alarms is an outdated fashion choice.
With a record 7.5 million people expected to take to the skies this holiday season, travelers should avoid these types of baggy pants to make their airport experience more comfortable.
Cargo pants are the most likely to trigger airport alarms, Lorie Dankers, a spokeswoman for the TSA, told .
The reason is simple: body scanners are not programmed for clothing with large convenient pockets big enough to hold pretty much anything
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently revealed which type of pants are most likely to trigger airport alarms before holiday flight traffic rushes
To the surprise of many travelers, the reason for the alarms is an outdated fashion choice
With a record 7.5 million people expected to take to the skies this holiday season, travelers should avoid these types of baggy pants to make their airport experience more comfortable
A record 7.5 million travelers will make the airports the busiest ever during the Christmas and New Year travel period.
As experts recommend travelers plan their trips in advance, the TSA has revealed the type of pants that most often set off airport alarms and cause security screening delays.
The clothing “can unnecessarily alarm security equipment because it is bulky in the pocket area,” Dankers said.
“Travellers should be aware that the pants could alert the body scanner due to the double thickness of the material in the pocket area,” she added.
In fact, pants with numerous pockets and compartments, such as cargo pants, have long been referred to as the “worst pants to wear” by the TSA.
Former TSA agent Kimberly Pruitt said last month, “Cargo pants and shorts are some of the most difficult items to wear at the airport.”
In an interview with Who What Wear, Pruitt said. “The many different bags become a big nuisance because they almost always trigger the alarm.”
“When an officer asks you to take everything out of your pockets, you always have a lighter or a set of keys in a hidden pocket.”
To prepare for the festive travel rush, travelers may also consider ditching maxi dresses, skirts, metal bracelets, and necklaces.
“If you refuse to be patted down, wearing a maxi skirt or dress is not the best choice because the officer has to check that you are not hiding anything under your skirt,” Pruitt said.
“Large metal bracelets and necklaces will set off the metal detector,” Pruitt said. “The biggest problem is the Cartier Love bracelet.”
“These bracelets can only be removed with a screwdriver, so they become a problem during security checks. It may be advisable to put your jewelry on after the examination to avoid groping.”
Travelers were spotted at Miami International Airport before Christmas last year. 7.5 million people are expected to fly this year, marking the busiest 10-day year-end travel period since 2000
Thousands of pieces of luggage piled up at LaGuardia Airport in December 2022. The projected number of travelers during this year's holiday season exceeds the record 7.3 million passengers set in 2019
More than 7.5 million people are expected to fly during the year-end holiday season, the highest since the American Automobile Association began tracking data in 2000.
The trend is seen as an extension of the busy Thanksgiving travel season this year, when a record 2.9 million passengers were screened by U.S. airport security.
Last year, bad weather and airline mishaps caused chaos at airports across the country. Many passengers missed festive celebrations with their loved ones due to severe flight delays and cancellations.
Book your flights well in advance or reconsider your airport amenities to ensure you're not the one holding up security.