Last Updated on August 11, 2022
Phone, wallet, keys…
It’s the familiar check that many of us do right before we leave the house.
But what do you do with your keys when you reach airport security?
People get nervous about airport security. There are so many rules and they don’t always make immediate sense.
We start to panic… can you even bring your car keys or house keys on a plane?
Well relax! Of course you can bring keys on a plane. Here are the rules in more detail.
TSA Keys Rules & Best Practice
The Transportation Security Administration runs the airport security checkpoint in the United States.
I checked, the TSA doesn’t have a written rule about flying with keys on their website.
When this happens I usually have a look at what they are saying on Twitter.
Norte had already asked about bringing keys in his personal item bag or carry-on bag:
The TSA replied that keys are allowed on a plane in carry-on luggage or your personal item. Keys are not on the list of prohibited items.
So you can bring keys on a plane. That’s clear.
Keys are also allowed to be in your pocket when you are on the plane.
The only time where keys are not allowed to be in your pocket is the moment when you walk through the metal detector during the screening process.
You’ll see many people removing their keys, wallet, and cell phone from their pocket and placing them in the bin at the checkpoint.
This always makes me nervous. I’m always worried that someone will grab my wallet when it’s out of sight.
The best place to pack your keys when going through security is inside your carry-on baggage.
Don’t wait until the last minute and then dump them in the bin.
Your cell phone can be packed inside your carry-on bag when it’s going through the x-ray machine too. It’s only electronic items larger than a cell phone that need to be removed from your bag.
As for checked baggage. It’s never a good idea to pack keys in checked bags. Checked luggage gets lost or delayed all the time. Items are stolen or damaged in checked baggage frequently too. So don’t pack your keys in a checked bag!
Still Unsure? Ask The TSA
If have any more questions about taking keys on a plane or any other item you can reach out to the TSA on Twitter.
Mike left his car keys behind at the TSA checkpoint.
That’s why careful packing of your car keys inside your carry-on or personal item before you get near the checkpoint is the most sensible thing to do.
Gabs asked about bringing her house keys in her carry-on bag.
House keys and key chains are allowed in carry-on bags.
This passenger asked about going through airport security with hex keys.
It raises an interesting point.
All tools over 7-inches long are not permitted in hand luggage.
To test this out I asked the TSA if this very large cast iron key would be allowed in carry-on luggage:
This was the reply I got from the TSA:
So while keys are generally permitted the TSA officer that inspects your luggage always has the right to prevent any sharp objects or heavy objects that could be used as a weapon from getting on the plane.
The Takeaway
You can bring house keys or car keys on a plane in hand luggage i.e. your personal bag or carry-on bags.
More specifically, you can bring any metal key or tool that is under 7 inches long. A big old spooky key that was over 7-inches long might not get past the security checkpoint.
The best place to pack your keys in inside your carry-on bag. That way you won’t leave them behind at security.
It’s never a good idea to pack important keys in a checked bag because of the chance that you might never see the bag or the keys again.
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