10 Worst Travelers You’ll Meet at TSA: Don’t Be One of Them!
TSA lines are no one’s favorite part of flying. They’re slow, stressful, and always seem longer when running late. But while airport security can be a hassle, some travelers make it a nightmare for everyone else in line.
If you don’t want to be the reason somebody misses their flight or loses their sanity, read below and learn what not to do.
The Infrequent Flier
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Not everyone travels via airports regularly, and it’s obvious when an individual hasn’t flown in a while. Liquids are packed wrong, IDs aren’t ready, and simple instructions cause hesitation. They are simply unfamiliar with the process, which is understandable, but it backs up the queue.
The Check-In Disaster
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One passenger might be reshuffling items to meet a baggage weight limit or explaining why their expired passport should still count. Airline staff try to manage these issues professionally, but these issues often spill into the next phase of travel. And by then, the line has already backed up.
The Overloaded Backpacker
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Some flyers try to carry everything instead of checking a bag. You see them shifting their weight and trying to adjust the straps, clearly uncomfortable. The bag is stuffed to capacity and doesn’t move easily through tight spaces. It seems harmless at first, but those bags get in the way in tight spaces.
The Honest Rulebreaker
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Now and then, someone forgets about a multitool or a sharp item that’s been living in a backpack. Security pulls the bag, the agent explains the issue, and things stop. It’s usually accidental; it’s just something they forgot was in the bag, and most are polite about it. Still, staff have to check, and that creates a bottleneck.
The Hyper-Compliant Gearhead
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You are bound to see a passenger with way too much gear. This could be camera bodies, hard drives, cords, or even a drone. All the stuff must come out of their bag and fill up the trays. They aren’t breaking any rules, but it takes up time and space while each item is carefully laid out for inspection.
The Security Crusader
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Occasionally, a traveler pushes back against every step in the process. They might decline the body scanner, demand clarification about policies, or insist on debating what policy requires. The conversation rarely turns hostile, but it disrupts the rhythm. Agents have to engage, and others in line simply have to wait until the agents can wrap it up and resume normal checks.
The Last-Minute Flailer
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It’s natural to be late for the airport, but some individuals barrel into the line, expecting everyone to step aside like it’s their personal emergency. Sometimes, they really did get stuck in traffic. Other times, they just showed up late. Either way, the panic is contagious and makes the whole line tense.
The Overdressed Strategist
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Wearing every bulky item you packed in a carry-on to save space is smart in theory, but the reality is slower lines. Removing boots and layers adds time, especially when bins are limited, not to mention putting them all back on afterward. Everyone’s trying to move quickly, and now the line stalls because a passenger is layered up like it’s the Arctic.
The Owner of the Broken Luggage
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You can hear the busted suitcase long before you see it. A stuck wheel or collapsed handle turns getting past security into a full-body workout. It’s not the end of the world, but it makes things crawl when bags don’t move smoothly through the scanner or need extra wrangling.
The Overpacker
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There are people who pack their bags so tightly that it’s surprising they close at all. Once the TSA flags the bag for inspection, everything spills out. The traveler looks stressed, trying to repack things the same way, but it never quite works. Meanwhile, others are stepping around the mess, just looking to clear security without stepping over luggage.
The Accidental Weapon Carrier
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Bringing a restricted weapon through a TSA checkpoint, even by mistake, causes an immediate disruption. Most of the time, the passenger simply forgot it was there, but the protocol is firm. Agents pause the line, call in law enforcement, and deal with the situation separately.
The Angry Passenger
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Tension in line gets worse when a bystander is clearly upset. Maybe it started at the check-in counter or earlier that morning, but now they’re short with TSA or snapping at other travelers. Even if it doesn’t escalate, everything behind them comes to a near stop.
The Talker
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You’ll hear someone chatting even though no one’s responding. They’ll strike up a conversation in a slow-moving line or keep talking to the agent after their bag’s already cleared. It can be a bit much when people are tired or in a hurry. If it goes on too long, it can actually halt the flow, especially if they’re distracted and not following directions.
The Social Media Person
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Content creators don’t stop at all. They may start filming their outfit, arranging their bag for a photo, or narrating the process for a story. None of it breaks the rules, but it adds congestion in a space that’s already crowded. People would rather focus on making their flight than being in the background of someone’s video.