Why You Need TSA Friendly Promotional Products for Tradeshows

For travel-related companies, providing TSA-friendly reusable and refillable bags and containers would be a customer-appreciated promotion.

Just one more monkey wrench in the tradeshow life! With increased security at airports, there are certainly some items that you won’t want to distribute at shows where you know a majority of people will be using air transportation. Why? If they get confiscated as contraband, there go your marketing dollars into the hands of the TSA. Yes, I’m sure the TSA is quite anxious to get your branded promo and buy from you. Not!

What might some of those prohibited items be (as of this writing, February 2011)?

Pocket knives or box cutters, although they can go on as checked baggage.
Scissors with tips or blades over 4 inches. Smaller than that can go on in checked baggage.
Tools such as screwdrivers or wrenches greater than 7 inches in length. Smaller than that can go on in checked baggage.
Any liquids or gels over 3.4 ounces (100ml). I’m still wondering how they came up with the 3.4 ounce limit, aren’t you?
Sports equipment such as bats, hockey sticks, and golf clubs (although they can be checked).
Lighters that are not in a DOT-approved container. Filled lighters CANNOT go in checked baggage.

I always get a chuckle when I look through the list of TSA-prohibited items, many of which you can bring on a plane as checked baggage. Glad to know I can bring my brass knuckles, sword, cattle prod, spear gun, and throwing stars in my checked baggage. Whew! I thought my vacation was going to be a bummer. (Insert canned laughter here.)

So what might you consider as promotional products for shows or events where many will be using air transport?

"Find Me" Luggage Wraps help identify bags at baggage claim

If you have an event that attracts a ton of people who are on the go constantly, sometimes providing them with items to make the journey easier are appreciated… but only if it fits within your marketing objectives. For example, if you have an event that attracts a lot of travelers and you are in the travel arena yourself, TSA-friendly reusable bags with refillable containers (green idea, too!) would be a good choice. Hand sanitizers in small bottles or sprays are also an option. Or maybe something that helps speed up the process upon landing such as luggage wraps that help identify baggage.

I would say the majority of promotional products are TSA-compliant or can be air transported if checked. But to help your promo avoid being an addition to the TSA confiscated bin, definitely steer clear of pocket knives, sharp tools or objects, lighters, and beverages (such as bottled water).

The whole TSA screening experience is annoying enough for most travelers. Don’t add to it by providing promo that will delay the process or have to be surrendered.

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