Safety & Security

Air traveler safety is the top priority at Pittsburgh International Airport. The Allegheny County Airport Authority will continue working hard to help make air travel as safe as possible and to provide the best possible customer service along the way.

Travelers will notice many security-related improvements at PIT

• Unattended vehicles in front of the terminal building are being immediately towed and unattended bags quickly checked by law enforcement officials.
• Only passengers with boarding passes are allowed past security checkpoints, and prohibited items including pocket knives, guns, ammunition and incorrectly-sized liquids are confiscated at the checkpoints.
• Travelers will notice a heightened law enforcement presence and more vigorous searches of passengers and bags throughout the airport.
• Because of the changes, and more security improvements on the horizon, travelers are encouraged to review PIT’s travel tips to know exactly what to expect when coming to the airport.

TSA PreCheck/CLEAR Information

Beginning July 8, 2024, TSA PreCheck is available exclusively at the alternate security checkpoint Monday-Friday from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. After 7 a.m. Monday-Friday and all day on weekends, TSA PreCheck will also be available at the main security checkpoint.

CLEAR is available at the main security checkpoint. CLEAR passengers with TSA PreCheck benefits should still use the CLEAR lane at the main security checkpoint.

Liquids Rule

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.

Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that sets off an alarm during screening will require additional screening.

While the rule prohibiting items such as liquids, gels or aerosols in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces is still in place, due to the pandemic TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags. Travelers must remove the hand sanitizer from their bags before they’re scanned.

Carry-On Bag

3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller sized containers that fit in 1 quart-sized, resealable bag may go in carry-on and through checkpoint security.

Checked Bag

Containers that are larger than 3.4 ounces (100ml) regardless of amount inside must be in checked baggage (hand sanitizer excepted–see above).

Security Tips

Your Safety & Security

Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport. Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the airport by reviewing the lists below. Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. Click the box below to see a complete list of prohibited items for flight.

Prohibited items list

Transportation Security Administration

Preparing for travel doesn’t have to be stressful. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers current travel tips to help keep your experience safe and enjoyable. You are encouraged to keep these travel tips in mind to help facilitate the security screening process during your next trip to the airport.

VISIT TSA TRAVEL TIPS