A travel expert has revealed which harmless actions could extend a flier’s time at a security checkpoint.
Jeff Price, an airport security coordinator-trainer, explained the behaviors, actions and physical traits that mean a traveler may have a higher chance of being pulled aside.
‘There’s a variety of things that people look for or the TSA personnel will look for – and many of them are the same things that we train airport personnel,’ Price told Fox News Digital.
Price, owner of the airport management training company Leading Edge Strategies, noted that multiple behaviors could be red flags in the eyes of transportation security officers (TSOs).
Agents usually look for a ‘cluster’ of those red-flagged activities rather than one thing.
According to Price, two of the most common actions are yawning and outfits that don’t align with a destination’s weather patterns.
Frequent yawning is an action TSA agents have paid attention to – because of what may cause it to occur.
‘Exaggerated yawning, lots of yawning – that might attract attention. When people are stressed, they tend to want more oxygen,’ Price said.
Yawning is a common behavior that TSA agents consider to be a red flag at security checkpoints
TSA Agents usually look for a ‘cluster’ of red flags rather than one thing at security checkpoints
Travelers who aren’t stressed could also excessively yawn for reasons such as lack of sleep, boredom, or any other medical conditions.
Lack of sleep could also be a reason behind the ‘thousand-yard stare’ or lack of eye contact.
Price noted the stare could make everyone uncomfortable, and is a reason why ‘behavior clusters’ are important for TSOs.
‘One of the things we do [to] train is we’ll send people out to watch [airline travelers] and just observe their behavior and get a baseline of what’s normal in the airport,’ Price said.
‘Then we can start looking for what’s abnormal – and you start looking for clusters of that.’
Other actions that will gain agents’ attention are excessive taking and agitated behavior.
‘Displaying aggressive [or] threatening behavior will definitely get the attention [of security personnel],’ Price said.
‘It might just be that you’re upset with the whole process. You’re having a bad day, but it’s also going to get you some additional attention.’
Expressing aggressive behavior and wearing clothes that don’t align with weather patterns are red flags
Another red flag is attire – mainly for travelers opting to wear baggy clothing, even if a flier is flying to or out of a location with warm weather.
‘Wearing bulky or especially oversized clothing – whether to be avant-garde or super comfortable – can look suspicious to TSA leading to a pat-down,’ personal stylist Jennifer Koch told TODAY in 2024.
According to TSA’s Frequently Asked Questions, oversized hoodies, large sweaters, and ponchos are considered bulky clothing.
Other outfit selections that could make officers request pat-downs include windbreakers, low-hanging pants, and items with excessive fur or laces.
A traveler’s decision to wear a significant amount of cologne or perfume with their outfits could also be a major TSA attention grabber.
In some cases, agents could believe an overused scent is being used to mask another one that is potentially dangerous, according to Fox News Digital.
Depending on outfit choices, TSA agents could request travelers step aside for an additional pat-down
Travelers who may unintentionally experience one or more of these behaviors can still pass through security checkpoints.
Price explained that fliers who remember why they’re at an airport could help make sure it’s a suitable experience.
‘You’re there because you want to catch your flight on time and get to your destination, so focus on those things that are going to achieve that goal,’ Price said, adding that travelers should also be ‘cooperative with the security and the airline personnel.’
‘It’s going to be annoying at times, but that’s the nature of security. Security is meant to get in the way,’ he said.
