Passengers must travel on the same flight as their luggage and present acceptable, tamper-resistant photo identification at the check-in counter such as a passport booklet or passport card, a U.S. military ID, a permanent resident card, a driver's license if travel is domestic only, or airline or airport IDs issued under TSA-approved security plans. The ID must show your name, date of birth, gender and other vital information.
Because the TSA must examine all checked baggage before placement on the plane, it requires access to the baggage contents. If your bags are locked, security officers may cut the locks to open the bags. You can purchase TSA-approved locks to avoid this possibility. TSA-approved locks provide access to your luggage through universal master keys owned by TSA. Combination locks are also acceptable, if you provide the combination to the TSA officers in advance.
Lighters with fuel are allowed in carry-ons, but not in checked baggage. Safety matches are also allowed in the cabin, but not as cargo. Other prohibited items include strike-anywhere matches, flammable paints, explosives and replicas of explosives, fireworks, flares, chlorine, fire extinguishers and compressed gas cylinders, liquid bleach and spray paint.
Items prohibited from carry-ons, but allowed in checked baggage include sharp objects like box cutters, razor blades, swords, meat cleavers; sports equipment like golf clubs, pool cues, baseball bats, and ski poles; tools like saws, hammers and drills; martial arts items such as billy clubs, kubatons and nunchakus; and snow globes.
Though electronic devices are allowed in checked bagggage, airlines recommend you carry them on the plane to minimize the possibility of damage or theft. Small quantities of lithium-ion batteries are allowed as cargo, but the TSA prohibits large shipments of these batteries. There is no danger of explosion when these batteries are damaged or shorted, but they are extremely flammable. Standard aircraft firefighting equipment can typically extinguish lithium-ion flames, but is ineffective againt primary lithium batteries.
Firearms such as guns and ammunition are allowed in checked baggage only if processed correctly. You must must declare they are in your bags at the ticket counter during check-in. Firearms must be unloaded and stored in a hard-sided container that is secured with a TSA-approved lock. Ammunition must be packed in a container designed specifically for it, and that container may also be packed in the same case as the firearms. Note that individual airlines and destinations countries may have firearm rules that are more restrictive.
