TSO Prohibited Items and Threat Recognition 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How much liquid is a passenger permitted to carry in a single container in their carry-on under TSA's 3-1-1 rule?
- Up to 4 ounces (118 ml)
- Up to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) (Correct answer)
- Up to 6 ounces (177 ml)
- Up to 2 ounces (59 ml)
Correct 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.
Question 2: An X-ray image shows a dense rectangular mass in the corner of a bag with wires visible nearby. What is the priority action?
- Clear the bag and allow the passenger to proceed
- Flag the bag for additional screening and alert a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Ask the passenger if the item is a battery pack and accept their word
- Continue screening other passengers while noting the bag
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which type of knife is permitted in carry-on baggage under current TSA rules?
- A 2-inch pocket knife with a non-locking blade
- A plastic or round-bladed butter knife (Correct answer)
- A folding knife with a 3-inch blade
- A Swiss Army knife with scissors under 4 inches
Correct 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.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of TSA's Behavioral Detection Officer (BDO) program?
- To enforce immigration laws at airport checkpoints
- To identify individuals exhibiting suspicious behaviors that may indicate a security threat (Correct answer)
- To assist passengers with lost luggage claims
- To randomly select passengers for enhanced screening via SSSS
Correct 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.
Question 5: A passenger claims that a white powder in an unlabeled bag is protein supplement. What should the TSO do?
- Allow it through since protein powder is a common supplement
- Confiscate it and call law enforcement immediately
- Apply additional screening such as ETD swabbing and escalate if results are inconclusive (Correct answer)
- Ask the passenger to taste it to confirm it is food
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an improvised explosive device (IED) component that a TSO should be trained to recognize?
- AA batteries stored in original packaging
- A timing device connected to an unusual power source and main charge (Correct answer)
- A laptop with a cracked screen
- A portable charger without branding labels
Correct 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.
Question 7: A passenger presents an insulin pump attached to their body and states it cannot be removed. How should the TSO proceed?
- Require removal of the pump before allowing the passenger through the checkpoint
- Conduct a thorough pat-down and use ETD on the device and surrounding area (Correct answer)
- Deny the passenger access to the sterile area
- Allow the passenger through without any additional screening due to medical exemption
Correct 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.
TSO Prohibited Items and Threat Recognition 3
How much liquid is a passenger permitted to carry in a single container in their carry-on under TSA's 3-1-1 rule?