Woman issues major TSA warning over the item you should NEVER leave out in the plastic bins

An avid traveler has issued a stark TSA warning over the one item you should never leave out in the plastic bins.
The woman, known as Travel.By.The.Books on TikTok, often shares her travel tips and tricks on the video-sharing platform.
In a recent clip, the content creator - from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - said that she made a shocking revelation after speaking to a TSA agent at the airport.
'The thing I am absolutely never doing when I go through TSA... I am not putting my phone directly into one of the containers or bins.
'It's always going inside a zipped pocket in my bag,' the traveler explained.
'Why? I did this once, the TSA looked at me and said, 'You don't like your phone?'
'I looked at him like he was a little crazy and I said, 'Yes.'
'He said, 'This is the fastest way to get it stolen.''
The TikTok user added: 'The number one thing they see get stolen on a regular basis is phones and that's because they are left out and available.
'You know the lines can back up and somebody could just swipe it and you're not paying attention until you realize it's too late. And then try traveling without your phone.
'So always make sure that your valuables are zipped up into your bag when they go through the scanners.'
Dozens of users flooded the comments sharing their own stories and tips.
'Someone swiped my mom's laptop exactly like this!' one person said.
'Make sure your driver's license is put into a zipped pocket too. Lost mine after going through TSA and didn't realize it until I was on the plane,' another wrote.
'Yup. Also, I worry about leaving it in the bin (recently saw someone do it and had to chase them down),' someone shared.
'Might be gross but I shove my phone inside one of my shoes…' a user admitted.
Another suggested: 'I would include passport in this too. Or wallet. So many folks toss their personals right in a bin or on top of their bags.'
However, some people acknowledge that airports often require all electronics to be placed in the bins.
'Except when the airport requires all electronics and phones to be out in a bin,' a person wrote.
The poster responded: 'If that's the case, I'll comply, but be overly vigilant.
'That doesn't work. I travel all the time and they always make you take your electronics out of any bag. Just keep an eye on it,' someone recommended.
Many others also thanked the content creator for the advice.
Recently, TSA warned travelers about a common camping item they cannot take on board after one clueless passenger put it in his carry-on.
The security administration posted the stern note to Facebook after the team at Pensacola International Airport in Florida stopped a man from taking a stove - complete with propane tank - onto the plane.
'Listen, friends, we love watching cooking shows as much as you do, but any top chef has to know that you cannot bring a stove with a propane tank attached through airport security in your carry-on bag,' the post began.
'This one was hard to miss, but great job by our team at Pensacola International Airport (PNS) for discovering this during standard checkpoint screening on Monday, and educating the passenger on the regulations we have around prohibited items.
'The passenger said he was unaware that stoves and propane tanks couldn't be carried on a plane, so let this be a learning moment for everyone… propane tanks cannot and do not belong in either your carry-on or checked bags.
'Camp stoves can be carried on, but *only* if they're empty of all fuel and fully cleaned so no fuel vapors or residue remains.'

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NBC News

7 hours ago

• NBC News

He was biking across Iran and documenting it on TikTok. Then war broke out.

From navigating tough weather in Australia to being questioned by police in Egypt, Ian Andersen has faced many challenges in his journeys biking across continents and documenting them on social media. But the American creator, known as 'ridewithian' to his 43,300 followers on TikTok, never had war on his list of possible hurdles — until last week. Amid his 29-day trek across Iran, Andersen found himself stuck just after Israeli forces began a 'pre-emptive' strike on the country. As Iran and Israel continue to trade attacks, visitors like Andersen have scrambled to find ways to safely exit the Middle East. He was among several people to document how he was able to depart the country, and he shared his journey with followers. Andersen said that at first, he was determined to continue his Iran trip 'as intended.' But then his guide, Reza, told him something that made him change course. 'I can no longer protect you,' Reza said, according to Andersen. 'If you're stopped by police, I should just wave goodbye, because there's nothing I can do.' As of Wednesday, the State Department had advised citizens to 'leave Iran now' and to have plans that do 'not rely on U.S. government help.' Other governments have also warned their citizens to leave the region as the conflict unfolds and airspace closes. The United Kingdom has advised against " all travel to Iran." Similarly, Australia has said its citizens should not travel to Israel. Major U.S. carriers like Delta and American have offered rebooking options. Some Americans in Israel have also been able to leave the region after the state of Florida and a nonprofit organization arranged a flight to bring evacuees home. Andersen said his departure was possible only because of Reza, whose last name he did not share to protect his safety, and help from the State Department. 'I had a couple weeks there in country of really positive good experiences," he said in a phone interview. "Experiencing Iran as it should be experienced.' His first vlog from Iran, posted June 2, recorded him crossing into the country from Turkey. Not unlike other influencers whose content focuses on travel, Andersen also posted himself trying different local cuisines — including a fermented yogurt drink, a Persian omelet and kaleh pacheh, a stew made with goat head — and showing the hospitality of the Iranian people. "They tried to give us for free and said we are their guests, but we had to insist," Andersen says in one video, which Reza explains is an example of the "ta'arof," a form of etiquette practiced by Iranians worldwide. As he biked around the country, he also captured the landscape and talked to viewers about the impact of sanctions, asking in one video, "What happens when a country is cut off from the global economy for decades?" The lighthearted, fun tone of his videos began to shift one week ago while he was in Chalus. Many of his followers began commenting, sharing concerns about his safety. "Actually all of us are sad because this is happening," Reza says in one video after they heard news of the attack. "But hope for world without war. ... Everybody needs a peaceful world." The two were headed toward Tehran to try to sort out a visa for Afghanistan, which was the next country on Andersen's itinerary. "It's amazing that even after such an event, you know, an emergency, that people are so friendly," Andersen says after two people eating near them bring them a meal and insist they share with them. The information that was available in Iran was initially unclear, and it left Andersen with questions. Iran plunged into a near-total internet blackout this week, limiting Iranians' ability to access and share information with the outside world. The situation soon became 'too dangerous," Andersen says in another video, and he and Reza decided not to go to Tehran. 'It ended up being a good call, 'cause there was just more and more attacks as the days went by,' Andersen told NBC News as he reflected on his past week. 'There was lots of rumors flying around about what borders might be open," he added. "Like, what, like one of the requirements once you get to the border? Like if you're able to get a visa, if you can just go through. A lifeline came through via an email from the State Department about getting into Azerbaijan." He ultimately was able to exit through Azerbaijan with help from Reza, who drove them to the border. He said he "probably wouldn't be here talking" if it weren't for Reza. "I'm out, and truly grateful for all your prayers, messages, and support," Andersen wrote in a recent video update. "It's an honor to have you following this journey and caring about my wellbeing out here in the Middle East. ... And finally, to my Iranian guide Reza—there's no one I'd rather have had by my side." Andersen said that since he left the country, his thoughts continue to be with the people of both Iran and Israel and that he is also 'thinking about all the people who don't have the option to leave, like I did.' U.K.-based influencers Nadia Akhtar and Irfan Aziz, who go by the handle "fieldofvisions" on TikTok, where they have 60,000 followers, were also in Iran when the strikes began. The couple, who were unavailable for an interview, were traveling with their young son, Zakariya. They quickly realized they were among the last to enter the country on an incoming flight and soon had a front-row seat for the attacks from their balcony. "Iranian forces were intercepting Israeli drones right above us," Aziz says in a video. "That night, we realized this wasn't normal and it's nothing like what has happened before. We needed to start thinking about an exit plan." The advice they got from officials was simple: 'Get out now." Like Andersen, they said they leaned on help from their guide, Ali, to help them get out. Aziz said that at 1:30 a.m. that night, they drove with Ali "through the night despite getting zero sleep" to get to the Turkish border. "It was when we approached Tabriz, seven hours from Tehran, the reality of the situation kicked in," Aziz says in the video, adding that they saw smoke rising in different areas around them. "Locals told us five fighter jets had bombed a cement factory at 5 in the morning. Nowhere was truly safe," he added. Akhtar and Aziz described their goodbyes with their guide when they finally reached Turkey's border as 'emotional.' "Even though we had just met, he sacrificed his own family's safety, leaving them behind in Tehran to help us," Aziz says in part two of his video series about the experience. "And for this, we will forever be grateful to him. But not everyone has the privilege of leaving like we did. Millions of people just like Ali are at the receiving end of the war that has nothing to do with them."

Daily Mail​

9 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

Vacations in turmoil as JetBlue slashes flights

Published: Updated: Vacations have been thrown into turmoil after JetBlue announced plans to slash summer flights. The budget airline is launching new cost-saving measures after weak travel demand is threatening its bottom line. JetBlue admitted that its chances of breaking even this year are 'unlikely', in a memo seen by Reuters. As a result the carrier is planning to wind down less popular routes and cutting its leadership team, CEO Joanna Geraghty told employees in the note. 'We're hopeful demand and bookings will rebound, but even a recovery won't fully offset the ground we've lost this year and our path back to profitability will take longer than we'd hoped,' Geraghty said. US airlines have taken a hit after President Trump's aggressive trade policies and border crackdowns have seen a significant pullback in travel to the US. JetBlue is not alone in scaling back capacity ahead of the summer travel season, with United also cutting four in every 100 of its domestic flights . 'While most airlines are feeling the impact, it's especially frustrating for us, as we had hoped to reach break-even operating margin this year, which now seems unlikely,' Geraghty explained. JetBlue is under additional financial strain as it us undergoing inspections of some of its engines, which has grounded a number of its aircraft. In other efforts to cut costs the airline is planning to park six of its Airbus jets instead of retrofitting them as initially planned. It comes after JetBlue previously pulled its full year forecast in April to readjust to the new demand environment. The company also previously announced its plans to make a $3 billion saving by deferring buying 44 new Airbus jets. JetBlue's shares are down more than 44 percent so far this year. Earlier this year United announced it would be axing flights due to a dip in demand for US travel. 'The softer economic situation is creating softer demand for travel,' CEO Scott Kirby told investors on the airline's first quarter earnings call in April. United said it also saw flights coming out of Canada see a 9 percent dip, with the rest of international demand coming in to the US down 6 percent. Canadians have been boycotting US travel after Trump threatened to make America's northern neighbor the '51st state.' As a result air travel dropped 13.5 percent in March compared to the same time last year. Flair Airlines was forced to abandoned its routes from Vancouver and Calgary to Phoenix, Arizona as a result of such low demand. Tourist hotspots that rely heavily on Canadian visitors, such as Buffalo, New York and Old Orchard Beach in Maine have seen dramatic drop-offs in visits. Some hotspots such as Palm Springs in California have even hung signs begging Canadians not to boycott them .

Telegraph

10 hours ago

• Telegraph

Epic or Ikon Pass: Are multi-resort ski lift passes worth the cost?

A lot has been written about the Epic Pass and the Ikon Pass since they were first released to skiers and snowboarders, in 2008 and 2018 respectively. Depending on who you listen to, these multi-resort season ski passes, launched by US-based companies Vail Resorts (Epic), and the Alterra Mountain Company (Ikon), have either opened up affordable multi-resort skiing to the masses, or destroyed the sport completely. As always, the truth is a little more nuanced than much of the internet would have you believe. But as the passes and the conglomerates behind them continue to evolve, with significant expansion in Europe in recent years, most people's principal questions remain the same: is a multi-resort lift pass worth it? And if so, which one should I buy? Epic, Ikon, or something else entirely? In this guide: What is a multi-resort lift pass? How much does the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass cost? Should I buy a multi-resort lift pass this winter? What are the downsides? Are there any additional perks? What is a multi-resort lift pass? A multi-resort pass is a season pass that allows you to ride the lifts at a large number of ski resorts throughout the winter for a fixed price. The Epic Pass The first mass market multi-season pass was the Epic Pass, launched by Vail Resorts in 2008. At the time, the company owned five resorts: Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone in Colorado as well as Vail itself, and Heavenly, on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, in California. The original Epic Pass offered skiers unlimited days at all five for just US$569 (£419) – a ludicrously good deal compared to typical season-pass prices for individual resorts. Some commentators thought the company was crazy, but it proved to be a visionary move. Typically, season-pass sales spiked if there was early snowfall, and slumped if there wasn't. But because the Epic pass was only on sale in the summer months, with the cheapest prices reserved for earlier buyers, the company could guarantee its cash flow for the following winter long before the snow had started to fall. Today, Vail owns and operates 42 ski resorts around the world, including Whistler in Canada, Park City in Utah, and two recently-acquired resorts in Switzerland: Andermatt and Crans-Montana. Thanks to partnership agreements, the Epic Pass for the upcoming 2025/26 winter will allow holders to ski in over 80 resorts worldwide – including unlimited days to Vail-owned destinations. The Ikon Pass Having noted the success of the Epic Pass, the Alterra Mountain Company launched their own version, the Ikon Pass, in 2018. Alterra owns 17 ski resorts (and two heli-skiing operations) all of them in North America. Their Ikon Pass offers unlimited access to most of their properties (with a few exceptions, like Deer Valley and the heli-skiing operations) and up to seven days skiing in over 60 partner resorts worldwide, including iconic destinations in Europe like Zermatt Chamonix, and the Dolomiti Superski Area. Other passes There are other multi-resort passes on offer too. As a response to the dominance of Vail and Alterra, various independently-owned ski areas banded together to launch the Indy Pass in 2019. The 2025/26 version will offer up to two-days access in over 250 resorts worldwide. In Europe, there's the Magic Pass, which offers unlimited access to just over 100 resorts – the bulk of which are in Switzerland, with a handful in France and Italy. Elsewhere, passes like the Austrian Snow Card Tirol, or the Italian SuperSkirama, Dolomiti SuperSki, and Aosta Valley passes cover collections of resorts clustered around particular locations. How much do multi-resort passes cost? A full Epic Pass for 2025/26 winter season costs US$1,075 (£794), for an adult, or US$548 (£400) for a children aged five to 12. You can also buy local versions of the pass for less. An adult Ikon Pass costs US$1,429 (£1,055), but young adults aged 13 to 22 only pay US$1,089 (£804), and kids aged five to 12 pay $439 (£324). You can buy an Ikon base pass, with unlimited access to slightly fewer resorts, for less. Indy Passes typically cost far less, but they're sold out for the forthcoming season. The Magic Pass costs CHF419 (£327) for the 2025/26 season. And are they worth the expense? If you live in the United States If you're a keen skier living in the US, then almost certainly yes. Standard lift-pass prices are astronomical in the United States (last winter, a single day at the high-end resort of Deer Valley would set you back US$279 (£206)) and if you're going on more than one ski trip a season, it's likely that a multi-resort pass will save you money. The multi-resort pass model works particularly well for people based in big, well-connected cities, who are taking multiple trips (often weekends) a winter to different ski areas. It also works well for East Coasters who might do regular day trips to a local mountain but want to do one big, week-long trip out west per winter. If you're a US-based skier whose likely to head to the same resort each weekend, or you're only going to take one week-long holiday each winter, it's worth checking out single ski area prices before you buy a multi-resort pass. If you live in Europe or beyond For most skiers based in Europe or the UK, Epic and Ikon passes probably aren't worth it. You could do a week in Chamonix and a week in Zermatt (both included on the Ikon pass) and you'd pay less for a six-day ski pass in each than you would an Ikon season pass. The exception to this rule is if you're planning on heading to the US or Canada multiple times in a single season – or if you're planning to go to the US once, and a European resort covered by one of the passes. Although most of the largest Swiss resorts are not included, the Magic Pass is a great option if you live in Switzerland, or near the Swiss border. For Australians who ski regularly at Hotham, Falls Creek or Perisher, and fancy a week-long jaunt to Whistler or somewhere in the States, the Epic pass is a great option. What are the downsides? Before you splash out on an Epic or Ikon Pass, it's worth looking at the 'blackout days'. Some resorts restrict multi-resort pass holders access during peak periods in order to prioritise those who've bought single passes. Both the Epic and Ikon passes have come in for criticism from certain corners of the ski industry, in part because of their success. Their sheer scale now means it can be hard for independent resorts to compete. The companies have also been accused of squashing the individual quirks of the resorts they buy up. Are there any additional perks? Ikon Pass holders can offer a partner service, run by a third party, but branded as Ikon Pass Travel. Kristin Rust, vice president of communications for Alterra Mountain Company explains: 'It's a travel agency in the States that are ski specialists – their claim to fame is that every single person on their staff has been to the resorts that they sell. So if you want to go to Chamonix, they can help you book your hotel, your flight and so on.' Ikon Pass holders also get discounts on gear from The North Face, Db luggage and a range of other brands, and complimentary bike park tickets in certain destinations for the summer. The Epic Pass also offers a range of ancillary benefits, including 20 per cent off food, lodging, equipment rentals, group lessons and even heli-skiing at select resorts. Epic Pass holders also get unlimited summer access to many Vail-owned resorts, including Crans-Montana in Switzerland, which is particularly well-known for its mountain bike trails. 'While winter is at the heart of what we do, summer in Switzerland offers its own kind of magic, with a full calendar of exciting events and activities,' explained Mike Goar, Vail Resorts chief operating officer for Switzerland.