Seven items that you should never place loose in a TSA airport security bin

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I have 7 important items that should never to tossed into a TSA bin loose so that they’re easily stolen or forgotten.

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TSA, (Transportation Security Administration) estimates that between 90,000 to 100,000 items are left behind at security checkpoints every month in U.S. airports. Cell phones are typically among the most frequently left items at TSA. It’s also been frequently reported that cellphones are the most stolen item at TSA airport security checkpoints.

Not only are cellphones left or stolen at TSA checkpoints, air travelers leave almost $1,000,000 in change and currency in bins at TSA annually. I’ve personally called out to travelers many times over the years, to come back for cash they left in their bin.

You don’t want the seven items stowed loose in TSA bins  that could be stolen or forgotten.

Theft and forgetfulness aren’t the only considerations passengers should be thinking about before placing their belongings in the ubiquitous gray bins at TSA checkpoints across the nation. Generally the TSA bins are filthy. Apparently, it’s rare that TSA cleans the bins during the day. In addition, while TSA says they clean the bins routinely, when I’ve asked about their cleaning schedule I’ve found that they don’t seem to have one. Twice in the last year at TSA, the bin in front of me had a dirty Kleenex in it. Ugh! I chose another.

My experience in TSA security lines is that too many passengers put too many belongings loose in the bins. That leaves them open to theft, filth or loss. I never put anything in the bins loose. My backpack and carry-on have zippered external pockets and more often than not, I wear a photographer’s vest or a lightweight travel vest. Both have multiple zippered pockets of various sizes in which I can stow pocket items and identification easily into their zippered pockets to keep them secure and out of sight. Many of the pockets in both are hidden.

When items are loosely thrown into TSA bins they are too easily stolen, particularly if you’re delayed in the metal detector or full body scanner.

It’s not that hard to swipe a phone, cash or any small object laying in a TSA bin accessible to anyone nearby, particularly if the passenger has been delayed from getting through the metal detector or full body scanner to their waiting bin(s). It’s much harder to steal them if they’re in zippered pockets in a folded outer garment or in carry-on or personal items.

These are the seven (7) items, that we can’t hold or keep in our pockets going through the metal detector or full body scanner at TSA security, that in my opinion, you should never, ever place in a TSA bin loose on their own.

Cellphones:

Many passengers continue to hold their cellphone after they pass the identification check. They often scroll through emails or text messages while they’re waiting in line. When they load the bins with their belongings, they often toss their cellphone loose in a bin along with one or two other items. Momentarily, they’ve forgotten how valuable their cellphone is considering all the personal information stored on it, along with family and friend’s personal information. For many, cellphones hold our lives in its circuit boards and chips. Never put your your cellphone loose in a TSA bin. Put it in a zippered pocket of a jacket that’s going through the line with your bags or one of the vests like I wear, or in a zippered outer pocket of your carry-on or personal item.

Wallets and Cash:

Think about what’s in your wallet. It likely holds identification such as your driver’s license and it has your credit cards. It may hold an ATM card too. Mine also has my health insurance cards. I don’t keep cash in my wallet. I carry that separately. While I rarely carry much cash, I want it when I arrive at my destination.

Put your wallet and cash in a zippered pocket of the jacket or vest you’re putting in a bin, not loose where it can be seen. Otherwise, put your wallet and cash in a zippered compartment in your carry-on or personal item.

Passports and other IDs not in the wall:

Immediately after showing their passport or other ID in order to fly and get through TSA airport security, most passengers put them in their pocket. When they get to the front of the security line, too often they toss their passport or other ID into a bin. That’s a big mistake. Passports are expensive and if you are flying to an international destination you won’t be allowed in the country without the passport. Immediately after your TSA identification review, put your passport and any other IDs you’re carrying into that zippered pocket or into your carry-on or personal item in a zippered compartment. Keep them safe.

Valuables:

Plan ahead, you shouldn’t be carrying any small jewelry or other valuables in your pocket as you approach TSA airport security. They should already be packed away in a zippered compartment in your carry-on or personal item. I’ve never had my watch or wedding band set off a TSA metal detector or be asked to remove it for a full body scanner, but if asked to remove them, they’ll go in a zippered compartment in my backpack.

Keys:

Twice in the last two years I’ve seen passengers leave TSA security with their house keys still in the bin. Fortunately, even before I could say anything, someone else called to them and got them to come back to retrieve their keys. Once you arrive at the airport you don’t need your keys to travel. Before you get to TSA airport security, pack them in your carry-on or personal item.

Sun glasses:

As soon as you get in the airport terminal, pack your sunglasses in your personal item or carry-on. Don’t wait until you get to TSA and they tell you to take them off. You’re going to need them at your destination and you don’t want to forget them in a TSA bin.

Headphones and neck pillows:

I see many passengers preparing for their flight by donning headphones and carrying their neck pillows through TSA security. You can’t wear them through the TSA airport security line. Leave them in your carry-on and personal item until you get your gate. At TSA security they’re too easy to steal and get contaminated before you put the headphones and neck pillows on your head or neck.

You don’t want to lose or forget any of these items at the airport. You don’t want to put germ laden headphones in your ears or a neck pillow around your neck and head. Be smart. Keep all of these items out of TSA bins. Pack them in your carry-on or personal item or place them in a vest or jacket in zippered pockets so they can’t fall out.

If somehow you find them missing when you collect your belongings report that immediately to the TSA TSO in charge. If you forget an item in a bin while still at the airport, contact TSA’s airport lost and found by email.