Air travel can be a hectic experience for many seniors. With airports getting larger, it can take time to get from the air security checkpoint to your departure gate. Speed up screening and make sure you go through the screening checkpoint well in advance of your flight, especially during peak periods (early morning, noon and early evening). 

If you require assistance through the pre-board screening checkpoint, please contact your air carrier in advance. The person assisting you will need a gate pass or authorization from the air carrier check-in counter, and will have to undergo the same security screening as the other passengers. 

Before going through pre-board screening: 

DO: 

• Speed up screening.
• Have your boarding pass ready to present.
• Remove sport coats, suit jackets, and blazers and place them in the bins provided.
• Take the opportunity to empty all contents of your shirt and pant pockets and place these items in the bins before passing through the walkthrough metal detector.
• Avoid wearing shoes with metal arches, buckles, steel-toes or shanks.
• Avoid wearing belts with metal buckles.
• Ensure all medication is properly labeled and stored in your carry-on baggage. The name on the prescription must be the same as the one on your ticket/boarding pass.
• Pack round-tip scissors in your carry-on baggage; pointed scissors must be checked.
• Bring pies, cakes and cookies through the security checkpoint.
• Place your transparent, closed and resealable plastic bag containing your liquids, aerosols and gels into a separate bin. If you are also travelling with exempted liquids, please remove them at this time and place them into the bin.
• Do bring knitting needles, crotchet hooks as these are permitted in either your carry-on or checked baggage.
• Manage your bins accordingly.  

DON’T 

• Bring gel or ice packs in your carry-on baggage as they are subject to the liquid restrictions. Carry a bag of frozen solid vegetables (such as peas) instead to keep foodstuffs cold.
• Pack gifts and souvenirs containing liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on. These include: liquor, wine, beer, snowglobes, cans of condensed soup, maple syrup, perfume, and lotion. Put them in checked baggage or ship them separately.
• Wrap gifts as they may have to be opened for screening. Wait until you arrive at your destination or ship them ahead of time.

For information on airport security screening of assistive devices and mobility aids, please consult the Special Needs section of our website.

Consult our Seniors profile page to see the aviation security regulations that may apply to you.

For information on pre-board screening procedures or air travel within the US, please consult the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website, or your travel agent.