TSA tips on traveling with small children through a security checkpoint at Philadelphia International Airport (2024)
A parent traveling with her toddler removes all liquids from outer pockets of a diaper bag and places them in a bid for ease of screening. (TSA photo)
PHILADELPHIA - Traveling through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint with an infant, toddler or small child can go smoothly when travelers know what to expect and prepare in advance.
“If you’re traveling with your child, it helps to know what to expect before you get to the airport,” says Gerardo Spero, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Federal Security Director for the airport. “That’s why it’s valuable to become familiar with the security procedures for screening small children and the various paraphernalia that is needed for children during their trip. We have modified screening procedures for children who are 12-years-old and younger.”
Parents/guardians should remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in their arms through the walk-through metal detector.
Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector.
Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
Parents/guardians who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck® may bring their children with them through a TSA PreCheck® lane.
Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening.
Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down on a child.
Children under age 18 do not need to present ID at the travel document checking podium.
Traveling with liquid formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. These items are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk).
A child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with an adult for a traveler to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies onto their flight.
Parents/guardians should inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that they are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. These items should be removed from a carry-on bag to be screened separately from other belongings. It’s smart to pack all of these items together in one area of a carry-on bag so they are quickly divested. TSA officers may need to test liquids for explosives or any possible concealed prohibited items.
Although not required, to expedite the screening process, it is recommended that formula and breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not in plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by bottle liquid scanner technology units, you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as explosive trace detection and vapor analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.
Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler–regardless of the presence of breast milk–are also allowed in carry-ons, along with liquid-filled teethers. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above.
Screening of children’s items
Parents/guardians should place all carry-on baggage such as children's toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening.
Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats as well as backpacks must also be screened by X-ray.
Parents/guardians should place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.
Equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine will undergo a visual/physical inspection by TSA officers.
Screening children with medical conditions, disabilities or mobility aids
Parents/guardians should inform the TSA officer if a child has a disability, medical condition or medical device, and advise the officer of the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening process.
Parents/guardians should tell the TSA officer if a child is able to walk through the metal detector or needs to be carried through the metal detector by the parent/guardian. Parents/guardians may carry their child to ease the screening process. The TSA officer will not remove a child from his/her mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter.
Request assistance. TSA Cares is a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. Call TSA Cares 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. Parents/guardians may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint. Travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may request assistance by contacting TSA Cares online at http://www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares or by phone at (855) 787-2227 or federal relay 711.
Features for families at Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia International Airport supports mothers who are breast feeding and the airport has a variety of options for nursing a child or pumping breast milk in the airport. Four Mamava Suites are located post-security in Terminals A-West, between Terminals B and C, between Terminals D and E and Terminal F. Additionally, Minute Suites are located on the secure-side walkway between Terminals B and A-East. Traveling mothers also can take advantage of using one of the airport’s 42 companion care or family restrooms, which are equipped with electrical outlets and are located both pre-security and on the secure side of the TSA checkpoint throughout the airport, and PHL’s first built-in lactation suite in the B/C food court.
Additionally, the airport’s terminals are filled with exhibitions featuring the work of artists from across the Philadelphia region. In addition to viewing the art, families can take a break and play with the beanbag toss or relax in the Artport Lounge in Terminal F or read at the Give a Book/Take a Book library in Terminal A-West.
Parents/guardians should remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in their arms through the walk-through metal detector. Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening. For AIT screening, light jackets must be removed and placed on the X-ray belt. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
Family members ages 12 and under traveling with an eligible parent or guardian with a TSA PreCheck® indicator on their boarding pass can join them in the TSA PreCheck® lanes without applying.
But what about the snacks!?!? Dried fruits, nuts, granola bars, cereals, cracker, pretzel and cookies are all good options. Creamy items such as jams, peanut butter and yogurt however, are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces or less per item and will need to fit into a quart-sized bag.
Water for babies is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove this item from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.
Parents need to fill out paperwork before their child boards. Usually, parents are given a pass that allows them to go through airport security and accompany their child to the gate. Children are sometimes given badges that state their unaccompanied minor status.
Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult on behalf of the minor(s). For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult.
All passenger items must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process. You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag.
Pack snacks in individual portions that are easy to get and hand to kids one at a time. Then hand the empty baggies to the flight attendant when he comes down the aisle. You are allowed to take yogurt tubes, fruit pouches and peanut butter packets less than 3.4 ounces through security.
You can bring a formula canister in your carry-on bag and open it to prepare bottles on the plane, but many parents prefer to pre-measure and pack powder in a travel-friendly formula dispenser.
The 3.4 Ounces (100 mL) Rule: TSA's Liquid Restrictions
This may seem like an inconvenience, but it's a rule put in place to ensure air travel safety. So, if you're planning on bringing a water bottle on a plane, it must be empty when you pass through security.
Children 17 and under who will be traveling alone or without a TSA PreCheck-eligible adult must apply for TSA PreCheck to have access to expedited screening.
While you may opt your children out of an airport scan, there is no exemption for children from the pat-down searches. TSA says it must “screen everyone, regardless of age (even babies).”
You can be through security only if you are accompanying an elderly, a minor, or a person with disabilities or if you are a military family member or if you are entering one of the airports that offer hassle-free visitor passes without a valid reason for the general public.
With TSA PreCheck™, you can breeze through airport security. Best part, children 12 and under can accompany a parent or guardian who has TSA PreCheck™ on their boarding pass. Travelers 13 and older who do not have a TSA PreCheck™ boarding pass must go through standard security lanes or apply for TSA PreCheck™.
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A parent traveling with her toddler removes all liquids from outer pockets of a diaper bag and places them in a bid for ease of screening. (TSA photo) 
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