Travellers who pack playing cards, trading cards or tarot cards in their hand luggage may face unwelcome delays at airport security, officials have warned. The seemingly harmless items can trigger extra screening because of their shape and density, leading to bags being pulled aside for manual searches.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which operates airport security in the United States, the problem occurs when cards are stacked tightly together. Ian Cava, a TSA spokesperson, explained that decks, binders or graded slabs can make it difficult for officers to confirm there are no prohibited items concealed in or around them via X-ray.
To speed up the process, Cava recommends that passengers take their cards out of their hand luggage and place them in a tray alongside items such as mobile phones. This reduces the likelihood of delays and helps security staff see clearly what is inside the bag.
However, if the cards still do not appear clearly on the scanner, passengers may be subject to a physical inspection. Those with large and bulky card collections are advised to allow extra time for security screening to avoid missing their flight.
Cards are not the only unexpected item that can cause hold-ups. Various personal items are banned from hand luggage, and even harmless objects such as corkscrews could potentially be seized, so travellers should check restrictions before packing.
