A large number of prohibited items, including ammunition and liquids, are being confiscated at the security checkpoint at Philadelphia International Airport.

This leads to more baggage checks and slower queuing, The Transportation Security Administration said.

Oversized bottles of liquids, gels and aerosols that exceed the 3.4 fluid ounce limit – such as shampoos, lotions, mouthwashes and other toiletries – It is one of the most frequently confiscated items.

“Our TSA officials saw passengers arriving at the checkpoint with bottled water, juice, energy drinks, coffee and soda,” Said Gerardo Spero, head of federal security at TSA Airports. “TSThe officials will give passengers the option to leave the security checkpoint, drink a drink in the terminal or let the officials handle it. “

The number of confiscated ammunition has also exploded-everything from loose bullets to ammunition boxes full of ammunition to empty gun magazines full of bullets.

Spero attributed the increase in prohibited items to many people who have traveled for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spero said: “Many people have not traveled for a long time. They increasingly forget what they can and cannot put in their luggage.” Or the number of passengers who only fly once or twice a year has increased.”

Air travel has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, although it is several times heavier than last summer. TSA data display. In July, the number of passengers passing through security checkpoints hovered around 2 million every day. At the same time in 2019, this number ranged from 2.1 million to 2.8 million.

Spero urged passengers to check their carry-on items and pockets for prohibited items before arriving at the airport.

The TSA website provides a Searchable list For passengers to check before the flight. There is also an application MyTSA, which can list prohibited items.

Passengers can carry 3.4 ounces or less of liquid in a quart-sized bag. Larger products can be stored in checked luggage.

Spero said that passengers travelling with ammunition need to pack it properly in their checked luggage. All forms of gun magazines and ammunition clips-whether loaded or empty-must be packed in hard-sided boxes.

Small firearms and ammunition and shotgun ammunition must be packed in the original box and declared to the airline.