Traveling this holiday season? If you’re anything like me, I feel more comfortable knowing I can still carry a few items for safety and personal protection when traversing the airports and commercial airlines. Over the years of being a gear guy and traveling for my job, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t when it comes to TSA. The photo above is typically what I have on me when traveling domestic or international air travel. The TSA has never once pulled me aside to question me about any of it. I will say that when I first arrive at the airport, I empty my pockets into my carry-on bag so that I’m not emptying them at the security checkpoint. Doing that helps to alleviate any issues with TSA wondering what I’m pulling out of my pocket. I don’t necessarily want my Crate Club pen and Tactikey to be in plain view inside the bins that go through the scanners. Being inside the bag seems to be the better route to go. After I get through security, then the stuff that was in my pockets prior to security goes back in.

EDC items shown in the above photo:

If you enjoyed this article, please consider supporting our Veteran Editorial by becoming a SOFREP subscriber. Click here to get 3 months of full ad-free access for only $1 $29.97.