Prohibited Items and Threat Recognition Flashcards
7 cards from real TSO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Prohibited Items and Threat Recognition flashcards as text
How much liquid is a passenger permitted to carry in a single container in their carry-on under TSA's 3-1-1 rule?
Answer: Up to 3.4 ounces (100 ml)
The TSA 3-1-1 rule limits each liquid container to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less per item.
An X-ray image shows a dense rectangular mass in the corner of a bag with wires visible nearby. What is the priority action?
Answer: Flag the bag for additional screening and alert a supervisor
Dense masses combined with visible wiring are indicators of a potential IED and require immediate escalation to additional screening and supervisor notification.
Which type of knife is permitted in carry-on baggage under current TSA rules?
Answer: A plastic or round-bladed butter knife
Plastic knives and round-bladed butter knives are permitted in carry-on baggage; all other knives (including pocketknives) are prohibited.
What is the primary purpose of TSA's Behavioral Detection Officer (BDO) program?
Answer: To identify individuals exhibiting suspicious behaviors that may indicate a security threat
BDOs are trained to observe and identify clusters of behaviors and appearance indicators that may signal deceptive intent or a security threat.
A passenger claims that a white powder in an unlabeled bag is protein supplement. What should the TSO do?
Answer: Apply additional screening such as ETD swabbing and escalate if results are inconclusive
Unidentified powders require additional screening using Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) or other methods, with escalation to law enforcement if results are suspicious.
Which of the following is an example of an improvised explosive device (IED) component that a TSO should be trained to recognize?
Answer: A timing device connected to an unusual power source and main charge
A basic IED typically consists of a main charge, an initiator, a power source, and a timing or triggering device—recognizing these components together is critical for TSOs.
A passenger presents an insulin pump attached to their body and states it cannot be removed. How should the TSO proceed?
Answer: Conduct a thorough pat-down and use ETD on the device and surrounding area
When an attached medical device cannot be removed, TSOs perform a thorough pat-down and use Explosive Trace Detection on the device area to complete screening.