TSA reveals type of pants most likely to set off its airport alarms as it prepares for festive travel rush – and they’re VERY popular

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently revealed which type of pants are most likely to set off the alarm at airports ahead of the holiday flight rush.

To the surprise of many travelers, the culprit behind the alarms is an old-fashioned fashion choice.

With a record 7.5 million people expected to take to the skies this holiday season, travelers would be wise to avoid these types of loose-cut pants to make their airport experience smoother.

Cargo pants most often cause alarms at airports, Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokesperson, told DailyMail.com.

The reason is simple: body scanning machines are not trained for the clothes that have large side pockets that are big enough to hold just about anything

To the surprise of many travelers, the culprit behind the alarms is an old-fashioned fashion choice

With a record 7.5 million people expected to take to the skies this holiday season, travelers would be wise to avoid these types of loose-cut pants to make their airport experience smoother

The record 7.5 million air travelers will see airports become the busiest they have ever been during the Christmas and New Year travel period.

As experts recommend travelers plan their trips in advance, TSA revealed which type of pants most often trigger alarms at airports and cause security delays.

The clothing “can unnecessarily alarm the security equipment because it is bulky in the pocket,” Dankers said.

“Travelers should be aware that the pants may alert the body scanner due to the double thickness of the material in the pocket,” she added.

Pants with numerous pockets and compartments, such as cargo pants, have long been called “the worst to wear” when going through the TSA.

Former TSA agent Enter Kimberly Pruitt said last month, “Cargo pants and shorts are one of the most difficult pieces of clothing to wear at the airport.”

In an interview with Who wears what, Pruitt said. 'All those different bags become a big hassle because they almost always set off the alarm.

'If an officer orders you to take everything out of your pockets, there is always a lighter or a set of keys that you forgot in a hidden pocket.'

In preparation for the festive travel rush, travelers can also choose not to wear maxi dresses, skirts, metal bracelets and necklaces.

“If you are against being patted down, then wearing a maxi skirt or dress is not the best choice because the officer will have to check that you are not hiding anything under your skirt,” Pruitt said.

“Large metal bracelets and necklaces will set off the metal detector,” Pruitt said. “The biggest problem item is the Cartier Love bracelet.”

'These bracelets can only be removed with a screwdriver, making them a problem when passing through security. It may be wise to put on your jewelry after the screening to avoid scrutiny.'

Travelers were spotted at Miami International Airport ahead of Christmas last year. A record 7.5 million people are expected to fly this year, making it the busiest ten-day end-of-year travel period since 2000

In December 2022, thousands of suitcases were piled up at LaGuardia Airport. The expected number of travelers during this year's holiday season surpasses 2019's record of 7.3 million passengers

More than 7.5 million people are expected to fly during the year-end holiday season, the highest number since the American Automobile Association began keeping records in 2000.

The trend is seen as an extension of this year's busy Thanksgiving travel period, when a record 2.9 million passengers were screened by U.S. airport security.

Last year, bad weather and airline meltdowns led to chaos at airports across the country, with many devastated passengers missing festive celebrations with loved ones due to severe flight delays and cancellations.

Book your flights well in advance or reconsider your airport outfit to make sure you're not the one waiting at the security line.