Travelers planning for a lengthy flight or seeking offline amusement might consider bringing playing cards to combat boredom. However, this seemingly innocent pastime can lead to security issues at airports, potentially causing delays for inspection of items.
Various items, including those innocuously sharp or harmless like corkscrews, are prohibited due to their potential danger. Even items like playing cards can raise suspicions at security checkpoints, leading to additional scrutiny.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, responsible for airport security, stated that any deck of cards, ranging from traditional playing cards to collectible ones like Pokémon, could trigger security alerts due to their appearance on scanners.
According to Ian Cava from the TSA, the structure of cards can prompt further checks as they may give the impression of hidden objects. Items tightly packed together, such as decks of cards, can obscure X-ray images, making it challenging for officers to confirm the absence of prohibited items.
Even family-friendly games like UNO can set off alarms. The thickness of a standard UNO deck, with 112 cards, makes it difficult for X-ray operators to see through, necessitating manual inspection for potential contraband.
While the advice primarily pertains to TSA regulations, travelers departing from UK airports should also adhere to similar security protocols. A packed deck can appear as a solid block on X-ray scanners, potentially leading to suspicions of explosives, electronic devices, or dense liquids, requiring further examination.
Standard bag searches typically take up to 15 minutes, but delays can occur during peak travel times when queues for manual checks lengthen significantly.
Many UK airports are transitioning to advanced 3D scanners, eliminating the need to remove items from bags and reducing false alarms. However, some lanes still use older X-ray machines, mandating manual checks for dense items like cards and games.
To prevent delays, treat playing cards like other items by placing the card box in a tray for inspection rather than waiting for a security alert.
Avoiding issues involves not storing cards in metal tins or cases, opting for cardboard or plastic containers instead, as metal tins impede scanning.
For smoother security checks, placing board games and cards in hold luggage is recommended to bypass manual inspections that could cause delays. However, this method carries the risk of potential damage or loss if luggage goes missing.
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