When it comes to air travel, little is as frustrating as unclear rules about what you can—or cannot—bring on the flight or conflicting information about whether your specific kind of ID will get you through security.
Yes, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides an exhaustive list of what items are OK to fly with on its website, along with myriad web pages detailing information on topics like acceptable identification and how to apply for the expedited screening program TSA PreCheck. Still, you may occasionally run into a travel-related question that doesn’t have an obvious answer.
Fortunately, the TSA has made it easier than ever to get quick answers—by text.
That’s right, beyond emailing, calling (855-787-2227), or tweeting at the AskTSA X account, another option available to travelers is simply sending TSA a text message. This approach can be a game-changer for travelers who need fast, reliable information. Here’s how to text the agency and why you might want to.
How does texting TSA work?
To start a chat, text the word “travel” to the AskTSA number (275-872). You’ll receive a message within moments explaining that automated responses are available 24/7, and for questions the algorithm cannot answer, live employees staff the line from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Users can pick from seven topics on the automated menu:
- TSA PreCheck
- What Can I Bring?
- Identification
- Medical Questions
- Damages/Claims
- Hiring
- Other
Once you pick a topic, the subsequent text from TSA will offer subcategories to choose from; for example, after selecting Damages/Claims, the next round of options includes Claim Status, Damaged Locks, Damaged Property, and How to Submit Claims.
You’ll continue to receive further subcategories until the service thinks it has answered your question, at which point the subsequent text will ask, “Were we able to answer your question? You can say Yes or No.” If you respond with “No,” the next text reads, “Please write your query here, and a Social Care Specialist will be in touch shortly. As a reminder, our live agents are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.” If it’s during the hours the line is staffed, a TSA employee will respond when they’re able. (We tested the service and the average response time was roughly 10 minutes.) If it’s outside of working hours, you’ll need to send your question again the following day because the questions aren’t logged for specialists to answer when they’re back online. That said, if you select “Medical Questions” and then one of the subcategories offered—Help with Screening, Medication, CPAP, and Other—you will be answered with the number for the appropriate department to call, like TSA’s Passenger Support Specialists department.
Why travelers might want to text TSA
Let’s say you lost your ID at some point during your travels and aren’t sure how you’ll be able to get home. When we asked the system “I lost my ID, can I still fly?” it responded that TSA has other ways to verify your identity at security checkpoints. After offering a list of other acceptable forms of identification, the text service said, “If you don’t have an ID from the list, our officers may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.” In instances like that, the response can help provide a quick answer and peace of mind.
Given how extensive tsa.gov’s “What Can I Bring?” page is (and also what’s previously been asked on the AskTSA X account), it’s safe to assume that determining what is allowed in carry-on bags (especially related to food) leads to the most commonly asked questions. Some no-go items that might surprise even the most seasoned traveler include snow globes and Magic 8 Balls (because they contain too much liquid) or cast iron skillets and tent pegs (because they could be used as a weapon).
While offering travelers another avenue to determine whether they can bring cheese in their carry-on (the answer is yes, if it’s solid cheese, and a maximum of 3.4 ounces if it’s creamy cheese) or fireworks (which can’t fly, period), the text program can be clunky. Responses can take several minutes if too many people use the service at once, and the answers often aren’t as detailed as what you’d find online.
Some questions we asked got satisfactory answers (like the rules for milk, which is fine under 3.4 ounces, and ice, provided it’s frozen solid, otherwise it needs to follow the 3.4-ounce rule), while others fell flat (foam swords, for instance, aren’t allowed as carry-on items, but there’s no explanation why).
In some cases, it may be faster to search online for answers—especially if you have multiple questions, considering the texting system has a lag of about 15 minutes before you can submit another query. If you think of a question that doesn’t provide a sufficient Google-able answer or needs additional context (like why bowling balls are allowed as carry-ons, but bowling pins aren’t), having access to a real person relatively quickly during business hours could make your travels smoother. Or at the very least could save you from the embarrassment—and time suck—of having your bag pulled for additional screening.
This article was originally published on January 11, 2023. It was updated with new information on March 3, 2025.
