I agree with those above who said when in doubt check the TSA website. However, since I actually work for TSA I'll give you the run down from my point of view.
-Don't overpack and pack in an organized fashion. A cluttered bag will give them reason to check your bag.
-Keep all tolietries (liquids,gels,creams,pastes,lotions,beverages,aresols and anything of the sort) under 3.4 oz. Note its not how much is in the container, but the actual size of the container much read 3.4 oz or less.
-Tolietries must be placed in a 1 quart sized ziplock sandwich baggie. The baggie should be able to zip close and you are allowed only 1 baggie per person flying. This does not include toothbrush, razor and etc. Those can be packed anyway you wish.
-Pack your baggie of tolietries in the outside pocket of your carryon. When you get to security take that baggie out and place it in a bin.
-The only electronics we are concerned with are those the size of a 10 inch laptop or larger. If you are traveling with electronics that fit that description, take those out of your bag and place those in a separate bin each. Leave the wires, chargers and batteries in your bag.
-You do not need to take out your Ipad,camera,cellphones or any other small electronics.
-Some airports require you to hold onto your boarding pass and ID throughout the screening process, some do not. Just ask.
-There are 3 machines we use to screen passengers. There are 2 types of body scanners. One uses radiation, the other uses millimeter wave technology, similiar to sound waves. If you are asked to place your hands on the wall thats radiation, if you are asked to raise your hands above your head, thats millimeter wave which contains no radiation. Those "naked" pictures are not "naked" pictures, they resemble those pictures of a body covered in muscle from science class with just slightly more details. Those pictures are viewed far from the checkpoint in a private room where only 1 officer can view them, that officer will tell the officers at the checkpoint if there are any areas that need to be checked based on what the picture showed. The officer in that room cannot see the actual passenger and the pictures are immediately erasied as soon as the review is done. Many airports are doing away with this technology and swtiching over to the millimeter wave. The picture on millimeter wave looks like a gingerbread man with his hands in the air. It is the same avatar for everyone. If something alarms on you, it will show up as a yellow box in that area. Depending on how many boxes show up you may require a full pat down, otherwise the officer will pat down just the yellow box areas. Then finally if you see a machine that looks like a hollow door frame that just a regular metal detector.
-All forms of footwear must come off unless you are 75 and over or 12 and under. those can be placed either directly on the x-ray belt or in a bin.
-Make sure to remove everything from your pockets. Remember the body scanners are looking for everything not just metals, so every paper can cause them to alarm.
- In most cases, belts come off. For metal detectors, watches and large jewerly needs to be removed as well. NEVER TAKE YOUR RINGS OFF. Most of the time rings are too small to alarm metal detectors and they are easily lost or stolen.
- To avoid pat downs in a body scanner dont wear clothes with excess beading and the like or lots of pockets like cargo pants.
-Hats and jackets should be removed as well.
-Also remember that we are people too. We also travel and that though there are many nasty TSA officers out there there are also many nasty passengers as well. That officer that may not be so friendly or nice could have just gotten yelled at and cused out and had things thrown at them for just doing thier job and as long as that passenger wasnt doing anything illegal thier only defense was to smile and say have a nice day. Remember you only have to deal with a hand full of them but they have to deal with thousands of you.
-Remember that there is no fool proof way to avoid a bag check or pat down, just go with the flow and you should be ok.
-Lastly, remember that not all people at all airport sare the same and just because it happened a certain way at airports a,b and c doesnt mean it will be the same at airports x,y and z. Just ask an officer what do I need to do and they should help you.
Sorry for the essay I just think its easier if people understand whats going on at airports. If you have anymore question, if be willing to answer anything I can.
Any help or advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
