Viral Video Sparks Debate Over Stacking TSA Security Bins at Airports
NEW YORK, N.Y. — A seemingly mundane airport habit has ignited a spirited online debate after a viral video showed a traveler stacking empty TSA security bins after passing through a checkpoint. The clip, which quickly spread across social media platforms, has divided passengers and airport staff on the etiquette and practicality of handling security trays at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
In the video, the traveler gathers several empty plastic bins used for screening carry-on items and stacks them neatly, prompting a wave of comments from viewers sharing their own experiences and opinions. Some praised the gesture as helpful and considerate, while others cautioned that certain airports discourage passengers from touching the bins after screening.
“As an ex-security employee at the airport, we actually love people like you,” one commenter wrote, echoing sentiments from others who appreciated travelers pitching in to keep the checkpoint area orderly. Another former TSA agent thanked the individual for their initiative, highlighting that such actions can ease the workload of security personnel.
Conversely, some passengers reported being explicitly told not to stack bins or to leave them on the conveyor belt. One user recounted being reprimanded by an agent after attempting to help, underscoring the inconsistency in policies across airports. At Salt Lake City International Airport, for example, signage instructs travelers to leave trays where they are, reflecting a preference for TSA staff to manage the bins.
The debate touches on broader concerns about hygiene and safety. Travel expert Gary Leff, author of the blog View From the Wing, told Fox News Digital that while stacking bins can be a polite and efficient way to keep checkpoints uncluttered, it is not universally required or expected. “At some airports, you’ll be asked to stack bins,” Leff said. “At others, you’ll be told you don’t need to.”
Leff advised travelers who choose to stack bins to use hand sanitizer afterward and wash their hands when possible, noting that security trays are among the most germ-laden surfaces in airports. This caution is supported by research published in BMC Infectious Diseases, which identified plastic security trays as frequent sources of respiratory viruses in airport environments.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, TSA officers wear nitrile gloves when handling bins, but passengers do not have the same protections, making hand hygiene especially important. The agency’s guidelines emphasize cooperation and safety but do not explicitly mandate passenger involvement in bin stacking.
As holiday travel surges and airports experience increased passenger volumes, the debate over bin etiquette highlights the varying expectations travelers face nationwide. The U.S. Department of Transportation continues to work with airports and airlines to improve passenger experience, including initiatives announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy aimed at streamlining security checkpoints.
For now, the question remains: Should travelers tidy up after themselves at TSA lines, or leave the bins for staff to manage? The answer, it seems, depends largely on the airport and the preferences of its security personnel — as well as individual travelers’ willingness to lend a hand while staying mindful of hygiene.
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