Thanksgiving 2023: What foods, presents, items you can bring on your flight

As RDU expects to see an estimated 332,950 passengers Thanksgiving week, officials advise passengers to come prepared and follow these tips to ensure a quick and easy trip.

Posted 3:00 p.m. Nov 23, 2022 — Updated 3:32 p.m. Nov 22

Delaney Eyermann

, WRAL Multiplatform Producer

MORRISVILLE, N.C. — If you're planning on traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, these are the guidelines for what you can bring on your flight.

If you're unsure of what to bring, you can visit tsa.gov. You can type in the search bar to see what you're allowed to bring. You can also download the "My TSA" app to ask directly which items you can bring or search for items directly.

If you're bringing gifts on the plane, TSA asks that you don't wrap them because there's a chance they'll have to unwrap them for security purposes.

"We ask that you wait to wrap your gifts to when you get to your destination," said Jennifer Gordon, RDU's TSA federal security director. "Or you can bring it in gift bags. That does make it easier, but sometimes it is essential to unwrap those gifts, if if there is a cause for search."

Can I bring a turkey on my flight?

You can even bring a turkey on your flight, as long as it's frozen. Yes, you can bring your turkey, but it's very important that it is frozen. A prepared turkey has liquid that may cause it to be confiscated. So if your turkey is already prepared, make sure to freeze it beforehand. This also applies to any other food items -- stuffing, vegetables, gravy, pie, cranberry sauce, etc. -- you have prepared and want to bring on the plane.

"If you can pump it, pour it, spread it, spray it or spill it, and it's more than 3.4 ounces, then you should put it in your checked bag," said Mark Howell, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regional spokesperson.

TSA tips for travelers

Here are some TSA tips to ensure you get on your flight quickly and easily.

Travelers should keep these tips in mind before arriving at the airport:

Pack smart. Prepare for security when packing for your trip and be aware of what can go in carry-on or checked bags - ensure there are no prohibited items.
Do not bring firearms or other weapons to the checkpoint. Passengers are prohibited from packing firearms in carry-on luggage. However, they are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage, as long as they are properly packaged and declared at the airline ticket counter.
Bring an acceptable ID. Before heading to the airport, travelers should make sure they have acceptable identification.
Be a Trusted Traveler. The TSA PreCheck® program offers expedited security screening at the airport, connecting low-risk passengers with a more efficient air travel experience.
Request passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at (855) 787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to travel with any questions about screening procedures.
Ask TSA. Get your questions answered before you head to the airport. Travelers can get assistance in real time by submitting their questions and comments to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger.
See Something. Say Something™. Public awareness remains a key element in transportation security. Vigilant travelers who report suspicious activity help keep people and goods moving through the nation’s transportation network.
Practice good cybersecurity habits. Those who are traveling – whether domestically or internationally – should continue to practice safe online behaviors.
Show gratitude to frontline workers. Thank someone who serves at the frontline of transportation. It is Thanksgiving, after all.

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