The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has warned that a common travel item—a deck of playing cards—can trigger security alerts at airports, potentially causing significant delays. According to the TSA, any deck of cards, from classic playing cards to collectable games like Pokémon, may appear suspicious on X-ray scanners, leading to additional manual checks.
Why Playing Cards Trigger Alarms
Ian Cava from the TSA explained that the shape and density of stacked cards can make them difficult for X-ray operators to assess. "When items are stacked tightly together, like decks, binders, or graded slabs, the X-ray image can make it difficult for officers to confirm there are no prohibited items concealed in or around them," he told Travel and Leisure. Even family-friendly games like UNO, which contain 112 cards, are twice as thick as a standard 52-card deck and are highly likely to trigger alerts.
Impact on Travelers
A standard bag search typically takes up to 15 minutes once your bag reaches the inspection table. During peak travel times, the queue of bags waiting for manual checks can back up, significantly extending wait times. While the advice comes from the TSA, travelers at UK airports can also benefit from these tips, as security processes are similar.
Many UK airports are currently upgrading to advanced 3D scanners, which often eliminate the need to remove items from bags. However, the rollout is not yet complete, and older X-ray machines still require manual checks for dense items like cards and games.
Tips to Avoid Delays
- Remove cards from your bag: Place the card box in a tray for separate screening to avoid triggering an alert.
- Avoid metal cases: Metal tins or carry cases are harder to scan; use cardboard or plastic cases instead.
- Pack in hold luggage: Putting cards in checked baggage eliminates the risk of hand luggage being pulled aside, though items may be bent, crushed, or lost.
By following these simple steps, travelers can help ensure a smoother security screening process and avoid unnecessary delays.
