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NEW YORK - Traveling through an airport security checkpoint with a pet can be easy when travelers know what to expect. Small pets can travel in the cabin of an aircraft with their owners after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers screen pets at the security checkpoint.

“Pets are often treated like family members and as such, sometimes travel with their humans,” says Robert Duffy, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Federal Security Director for LaGuardia Airport. “That’s why it’s valuable to become familiar with the security procedures for pets and how to go through the checkpoint security screening process quickly and easily. One of the most important things to know is that pets should never be screened through a checkpoint X-ray unit.”

Preparing for a pet to be screened is simple when these easy steps are followed:

Pet travel restrictions vary by airline and airport, so it is important to check with the air carrier before traveling with a pet. At LaGuardia Airport pets are only to be removed from their carriers when being screened by TSA. Otherwise, pets should remain in their carriers at all times, except for certified service animals who are welcome throughout the airport.

Too many travelers have been leaving their pets inside their carry-on bags and placing their pets through the X-ray unit. (TSA images)

Other helpful travel tips to make a trip through security with a pet as easy as possible include:

Travelers should become familiar with the pet relief areas at their departing airport and arrival airport. Service animal/pet relief areas at LaGuardia Airport are located pre and/or post-security at each terminal. Passengers should look for signs in the baggage claim areas or ask one of the airport Customer Care Representatives for more information. Please note, there are no service animal/pet relief areas beyond security checkpoints at Terminal A.